312GLC

Here's my first post...hoping to hit a home run (I apologize for the long story)

I purchased a 2016 GLC300 4Matic from Mercedes-Benz of Chicago back in early may. It has almost everything I want on it....except the factory installed tow bar.

Now, I'm sure most of you know there aren't a lot of aftermarket options out there for a tow bar or roof rack...yet.
For those of us that are impatient and want a tow bar now...this is your ticket.

Now down to the good news. For those who didn't get a car with a factory installed reciever you can now obtain one yourself.
here is a quote from one of the emails:


"There is a kit available 253-310-14-00 for $730 but this does not include the wiring harness. I assume the harness would be another $400 roughly and would need to be determined with the VIN in the EPC. It is a little unclear because the product description is in German! The Vehicle will then require 5 hours for installation."


So there's your information...

Part Number: 253-310-14-00 (which is just the receiver and electrical harness for the exterior of the vehicle).

Now the only catch is that if you want a fully integrated install like the factory they will need to program the electrical system to work with the newly installed harness.

Being an internet savvy person I was able to find the same part number on MBwholesalepartsonline.com for $584 +52 dollars for shipping.

But there's more:

FOR A LIMITED TIME RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR
ENTIRE FIRST ORDER WHEN YOU SPEND
$100 OR MORE.*
ENTER CODE: "10OFFFIRST"


UPDATED:

Spec: Class C
Capacity: 3500lbs
1.25" x 1.25"
Attaches to factory crash bar location

JEVA

Note that if you have the "kick to open" option, adding a tow hitch will disable or otherwise nullify this function. It's the only reason I did not get a factory installed hitch.

FirstBenz@62

Ran into the same problem at the dealership yesterday. Had the GLC we wanted all picked out but with no factory hitch. Sales man said I would have to go to U-Haul and have an aftermarket one installed. However, on further checking with his service dept he advised duplicating a "factory" hitch could cost as much as $3000. From the post above I can only assume most of that cost is 5 hours labor and electrical issues. Also the factory hitch has a different underside with more black plastic and less shiny stuff. I am now considering ordering a GLC with factory hitch without the Parktronic as that seems to be the only way you can get the hitch.

Has anyone had an aftermarket hitch installed?

FYI: just found out that you can get a GLE with factory hitch and Parktronic ... so I wonder what is the problem with getting that combo on a GLC?