2016 GL350 Hitch Addition
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2016 GL350
2016 GL350 Hitch Addition
Hello all newbie here looking at add a hitch to my GL. Priced one at the dealer to the tune of about 2500 installed. Any aftermarket options or can someone steer me in the right direction.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Cazenovia NY
2013 ML 350
You need to be aware of how much weight you are going to tow. The OEM system is capable of towing 7200 pounds because there are cast iron inserts that go inside the rear frame rails to strengthen the rear unibody structure. A hitch from U-Haul or Curt will cut the capacity in half to about 3500 pounds because it just bolts to the rear body structure. If you are going to tow something relatively light, the aftermarket setup will work great. If you are going to pull something heavy, you are going to have to with the OEM hitch. I'm in the same situation as you are. I found a good deal on a really clean 2016 GLE 350 with really low miles but it does not have a hitch. I was quoted $1783 or the kit alone.
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You need to be aware of how much weight you are going to tow. The OEM system is capable of towing 7200 pounds because there are cast iron inserts that go inside the rear frame rails to strengthen the rear unibody structure. A hitch from U-Haul or Curt will cut the capacity in half to about 3500 pounds because it just bolts to the rear body structure. If you are going to tow something relatively light, the aftermarket setup will work great. If you are going to pull something heavy, you are going to have to with the OEM hitch. I'm in the same situation as you are. I found a good deal on a really clean 2016 GLE 350 with really low miles but it does not have a hitch. I was quoted $1783 or the kit alone.
The Curt 1390 hitch is rated at 7500 lbs not 3500 lbs.
I installed it on my 2013 GL550 and it works great.
Johan
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Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Cazenovia NY
2013 ML 350
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A gaggle of MB's
We have to be careful here - the capacity of a aftermarket hitch is determined by the Maker of the Hitch - and is also different depending on MB Yr/Model.
For your specific MB Yr/Model - each hitch brand can rate vehicle capacities differently depending on their hitch design - and ea hitch manufacturer generally has online install instructions you can review before you buy.
I would strongly suggest checking three major hitch co websites directly - to get the real spec - and NOT use a retail portal like E-Trailer for this:
1. Curt : https://www.curtmfg.com
2. Draw-Tite: http://www.draw-tite.com
3. Stealth Hitch: https://stealthhitches.com (which is real frigging slick - and "usually the highest capacity as well)
Let me clear things up on the "Mercedes factory hitch" :
A. installed at the factory check the towing capacity as listed for that build option - the MAJOR advantage of the factory installed hitch package is that at the factory the electrical is tied into your COMAND (or new 2020 MBUX system) - AND the hitch electrical is connected to the vehicle"s ESP anti-sway braking system & connected to Cross-Wind Assist system.
B. avail from the Parts Dept as a "kit" - you get hitch & wiring harness that "technically" will allow electrical access to the MB system - BUT INSTALL INSTR are shop online only - not available on paper - AND correct shop install for that harness is a real bear and can take up to 8hrs real shop time. In addition to the "kit" - depending on yr/model as update "Rear Sam Module" might need to be purchased as well
The GREAT THING - the Mercedes ML/GLE & GL/GLS make one heck of a fine tow vehicle with proper hitch setup
For your specific MB Yr/Model - each hitch brand can rate vehicle capacities differently depending on their hitch design - and ea hitch manufacturer generally has online install instructions you can review before you buy.
I would strongly suggest checking three major hitch co websites directly - to get the real spec - and NOT use a retail portal like E-Trailer for this:
1. Curt : https://www.curtmfg.com
2. Draw-Tite: http://www.draw-tite.com
3. Stealth Hitch: https://stealthhitches.com (which is real frigging slick - and "usually the highest capacity as well)
Let me clear things up on the "Mercedes factory hitch" :
A. installed at the factory check the towing capacity as listed for that build option - the MAJOR advantage of the factory installed hitch package is that at the factory the electrical is tied into your COMAND (or new 2020 MBUX system) - AND the hitch electrical is connected to the vehicle"s ESP anti-sway braking system & connected to Cross-Wind Assist system.
B. avail from the Parts Dept as a "kit" - you get hitch & wiring harness that "technically" will allow electrical access to the MB system - BUT INSTALL INSTR are shop online only - not available on paper - AND correct shop install for that harness is a real bear and can take up to 8hrs real shop time. In addition to the "kit" - depending on yr/model as update "Rear Sam Module" might need to be purchased as well
The GREAT THING - the Mercedes ML/GLE & GL/GLS make one heck of a fine tow vehicle with proper hitch setup
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 10
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From: Cazenovia NY
2013 ML 350
I will agree that the ML/GLE make great tow vehicles. My 2013 ML 350 towed my car and open trailer as well as my old F350 Powerstroke Diesel and it actually got better gas mileage while towing.
I installed an OEM hitch kit on my 2013 ML 350 and it was a major project. At the time, the kit cost me $800 which I thought was pretty steep but tolerable. I had to get the dealer to print the installation instructions for me. I think there were over 20 pages. It was nice that the command system worked with the trailer but I wonder if it is necessary for my application. My trailer has surge brakes so I don't need to use an electronic brake controller. I only need a flat four wire plug to run the lights.
I guess there are many opinions on the subject but do I really need to go OEM again for the 2016 GLE that I just bought? The dealer wants $1800 for the kit now and that is way too expensive in my opinion. It also is a pain to install. The Curt hitch has a 7500# rating and I can get a flat four wire harness kit from e-trailer that requires no cutting or splicing. The total from e-trailer would be about $400 for everything. I can get a used OEM hitch on EBay with the cast iron inserts that go in the rear frame rails for about $600. My car, trailer and gear that I take to the track weighs about 5000#. It is an open trailer so there isn't any issues with wind resistance. Do you think the Curt setup would work well or is the stability control and other features from the OEM system worth the added expense? I'm leaning toward giving the Curt system a shot. What do you think? Curt, used hitch from EBay, or OEM?
Thank you for your opinions,Gil.
I installed an OEM hitch kit on my 2013 ML 350 and it was a major project. At the time, the kit cost me $800 which I thought was pretty steep but tolerable. I had to get the dealer to print the installation instructions for me. I think there were over 20 pages. It was nice that the command system worked with the trailer but I wonder if it is necessary for my application. My trailer has surge brakes so I don't need to use an electronic brake controller. I only need a flat four wire plug to run the lights.
I guess there are many opinions on the subject but do I really need to go OEM again for the 2016 GLE that I just bought? The dealer wants $1800 for the kit now and that is way too expensive in my opinion. It also is a pain to install. The Curt hitch has a 7500# rating and I can get a flat four wire harness kit from e-trailer that requires no cutting or splicing. The total from e-trailer would be about $400 for everything. I can get a used OEM hitch on EBay with the cast iron inserts that go in the rear frame rails for about $600. My car, trailer and gear that I take to the track weighs about 5000#. It is an open trailer so there isn't any issues with wind resistance. Do you think the Curt setup would work well or is the stability control and other features from the OEM system worth the added expense? I'm leaning toward giving the Curt system a shot. What do you think? Curt, used hitch from EBay, or OEM?
Thank you for your opinions,Gil.
Last edited by Gmwml350; Mar 25, 2019 at 09:57 PM.
