Brake_L8

I am currently going through a buyback process with Ford and my 2018 F-150, and find myself in need of a new tow vehicle. I pull an aluminum 20' enclosed racecar trailer, with a total length of 27' (nose to tail, including tongue) and overall weight of about 6500 lbs.

Although I am considering another half-ton pickup truck, the X166 GL is also on my list. The 122" wheelbase indicates it'd tow pretty well, and I know there are various systems that work together to help handle trailers as designed by Mercedes (Airmatic, ESP, etc).

My forum searching has shown some photos of others towing large enclosed car trailers and campers, but the posts are all fairly old. Was curious if anyone could check in and share their more recent experiences. I am looking at 2013-2014 GL450s in particular, though I'm open to most any year/engine choice.

For reference, here's the trailer:

mrmotoguzzi00

I pulled my 5k lb 24' boat, 30' dual axle trailer weighs 1200lbs... with a '12 ml63.

so i think this is shorter axle length, plenty of power and braking...

75 on the highway with no worries....

then i slowed to 65 simply because 75 scared the crap out of me thinking if i had to stop quick

fabbrisd1

You need to focus on Factory Installed hitch - not aftermarket hitch - Factory Installed Hitch the wiring is integrated into the safety systems like ESP and Crosswind Assist (later models)

xML

I tow a 20 enclosed trailer with a W166 ML350 Blutec. No problem except it's a little squat in the rear, with non-active suspension. Bought and returned a gas Touareg within two month and replaced it with the ML. Touareg couldn't get up to speed or hold highway speeds well. Aluminum frame trailer is 2700lbs, car is only 1350lb tho. Plus the usual tools, camping gear, 100l of extra fuel, extra wheels. ML has the factory hitch. Added an Prodigy wireless brake controller that's been trouble free.

%g

RostamDastan

I have been pulling a 26 ft aluminium vintage camper that weighs about 6000 lbs, with 600 lbs tongue weight, with our GL 350 for 4 years now. It does a great job.
The problem with race car trailers is the VERY high tongue weight (I weighed the tongue weight of my friend's 27' race car trailer and it was 1400 lbs!)
GL is a great tow vehicle. Its very stable, pulls fine, stops great, and the diesel variant is very efficient (can go 400 miles before re-feulling).
The limitation of GL is that its a unibody vehicle. You cannot attach a class IV hitch to a unibody vehicle and use weight distribution hitches. unibody vehicles are not designed for that.
GL's hitch limit is 600 lbs and it seems new GL's do not recommend using weight distribution hitches (This was not the case on older GLs).
I would think a pickup would be a better choice. Its much cheaper to purchase, maintain, and repair. You can tow/haul more with a pickup and having a frame means manufacturers can affix a stout class IV hitch to it and you can do serious weight distribution with a weight distribution hitch. Also, trucks have much better cooling systems, and if properly spec'ed, come with integrated tow mirrors and brake controllers. They also have a tow haul button that changes the transmission shift points.
I am thinking of getting a pickup when our GL retires from towing duties. I am sure no truck is as comfortable as a GL (its the most comfy vehicle I have ever driven and is wonderful for long trips). For heavy towing, I think a pickup a better vehicle though.
P.S. Here is a photo of our trailer with our GL 350
Good luck!

RostamDastan

There are other practical considerations too. We are thinking of a cross country trip and while our GL has been relatively reliable, I keep thinking what would happen if we have an issue in South Dakota? If you have a domestic truck, you can find a mechanic anywhere in this county, whereas the nearest Mercedes dealership could 500 miles away when you are in South Dakota. You could also get a Tundra and not worry about anything breaking. Another issue is spare tire. Our GL is 2012 and has runflats and newer GL's have a donut spare which is no good for towing. Pickups come with a full size spare. Also a pickup bed is a better place to put firewood, grill, etc than GL's trunk (this may not be applicable to towing a racecar trailer)

Also Mercedes has stopped making the diesel variants of GL. I have had the gas 3.0 V6 bi-turbo GL 450's as loaners and I am not sure I would want to tow with them. And GL 550's with V8s have MSRP of around $100k. With that money, you can buy a well appointed Tundra ($40k) for towing and a nice E class ($60k) as daily driver.

Mercedes obviously does not market GL as tow vehicles, even though they are very capable (I believe its the most capable unibody vehicle in the market. It punches way above its weight class). IF (and thats a big IF) GL came with integrated tow mirrors, integrated brake controllers, and diesel exhaust brake, it would be a MUCH better tow vehicle, but thats not going to happen as only a small fraction of owners tow with it.I really despise the clip on tow mirrors. I have learned how to affix them so they don't vibrate, but nothing is as easy as just extending an integrated tow mirror.

pavulon

Sioux Falls has an MB dealership and Rapid City has an MB friendly indy. So, you can't really get 500 miles from help in S. Dakota. However, No. Dakota, Montana or Wyo. might be a different story. As a Jackrabbit alum, I had to represent!!

MaxCadillac

350!!!!

Whoa... Impressive.