Tamarack

Hi everyone, brand new to the forum and have already learned a lot. I have a 2014 GL350BT and pull a 20 ft trailer. Trailer weight about 5500 pounds, tongue weight about 750 pounds plus the Reese weight distribution hitch.
My question is should the truck suspension be in sport or comfort mode when pulling a trailer, does anyone know, I can't find the answer anywhere. Also I have seen in other places that people get the hitch on the truck side re-enforced, is that required and if so who would do that? I live in Toronto Canada. Thanks for your help.

MJ50

moved to X166 forum...

chassis

Do you have air suspension? With steel spring suspension, I have used sport and comfort modes with equal success.

750lbs tongue weight with a 5500lb trailer seems a little tongue heavy to me. Do you run it that way intentionally? Can you shift the load or adjust the axle to achieve 10% of trailer weight on the tongue? It’s the conventional recommendation and helps with steering stability.

Tamarack

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes I do have air suspension. The ratio is off because I keep a UTV in the trailer (8 wheel agro), the engine of the UTV is in the front and when parked in the trailer it is ahead of the tandem axles putting the weight forward on the trailer. I have tried to back it in and works ok in the summer but in the winter I put tracks on it which only leaves me with 2 in clearance on each side. Much easier to drive straight in especially when on my own. To offset I have tried to load up the back cargo area of my argo with heavy items such as fuel cans, etc. It tows fine, tracks well and have never had any issues except for a couple of times in very high wind situations (the trailer is quite tall 7'). Are you suggesting that I should be able to tow in either mode sport or comfort mode without any issues?

chassis

Tamarack, I have towed in sport and comfort modes with no problems in a GLE350 pulling 3,300lbs. Your experience may be different.

Tamarack

Thank you.