I had after market "Curt #13290" installed. Hitch is Class 3, 2" receiver.
Hitch receiver tube is below the bumper, thus reducing ground clearance as well as visually doesn't look nice. Hands free back door opening and 360 view works, no problem there. Hitch US$170; installation US$ 150
Factory installed hitch is Class 2, 1 1/4" receiver. Hitch is integrated into bumper, looks much nicer. if you are OK with Class 2 hitch I recommend factory installed.

Could you please post a pic.

2016 GLC300 Curt hitch #13290

Any wiring for trailer lights?

I use hitch only for bike rack, don't have wiring. Wiring harness is available at hitch shops.

Thanks, I know there is a new non-invasive wiring that just clamps on to existing wiring without splicing. I did not want to take a chance as no one on here has had any wiring ... all bike racks so I ordered the factory hitch.

Thanks Black Rufus for your timely reply to my query. I ordered my 43AMG yesterday without the factory hitch and am modifying my order due to your comments as I have a steep driveway approach and the aftermarket hitch will
definitely scrape on approach.

Do the sensors that detect how far you are to an objects (and beeps when you are within about a foot) still work with the aftermarket hitch?

I am also wondering if the factory hitch will affect these sensors since the sensors are on the bumper and the factory hitch is also mounted integrated into the bumper.

Factory hitch does not effect the parking sensors unless a trailer is connected. A trailer electrical connection will automatically disable the parking sensors.

With the factory hitch the red grid line aligns perfectly with the tow ball.

I have been looking at a GLC300 in stock without the tow package and considered buying the Curt 13290 as opposed to factory ordering a GLC with the tow package. I agree that the factory setup looks better but the Curt being a class 3 does open up the options for towing in the future.
Does anyone know the height difference from the ground between the factory setup and the Curt? The curt does look substantially lower.
I don't expect to do more then throwing the bikes on the back but it's good to keep the options open. Thanks for your advice.

I opted for the factory hitch since it does not extend below the bumper, whereas the Curt mounts below the bumper. I have a driveway clearance issue and the Curt cuts into the departure angle about 2-1/2". So I have to have aftermarket parking sensors installed as
they cannot be ordered with the factory hitch, a lazy Mercedes solution as most SUVs come with both.

Bottom of Curt hitch is 9 inches above ground, factory hitch is inside bottom bumper about 13 inches above ground.
Also Curt hitch extends past the bottom of bumper so the departure angle is significantly reduced and it does not look nice.

I could see with the Curt hitch that with certain bike racks extending off the hitch, it could drag on the ground in low angle situations with only 9 inches of clearance. Sounds like factory hitch is the way to go. Thanks for the input.

My polar white glc came off the boat with 2" trailer hitch (apparently bike riding in my area is big). I would like to camouflage it. I have seen covers, but nothing that really covers the trailer hitch plug and side rings. Any suggestions?

Can someone post an image of what the factory tow hitch looks like installed? I'm only seeing pictures of after market hitches and I just want to compare. I just got a 2017 GLC and need to get a hitch installed. Dealer wants $2300 for it so I'm most likely going the aftermarket route but I just want to make sure.

Price very high! I paid $850 for the factory installed (that I did not want) in December 2016. Can't believe that big of an increase 3 years later.

yea, my sales guy told me to just go to uhaul. I''m also thinking that they didn't want to be bothered with it so they priced it high hoping that I won't go for it.

I don't know this for a fact, but the $850 probably doesn't include the wiring. Most people don't need the wiring for what they'll be hauling with a GLC, but the factory and dealer install likely includes the electrical?

When I was hauling horses with my GL-class, the trailer wiring (and trailer brake controller) made a huge difference.

On the subject of tow hitches: do you have recommendations for how to find an installer? I'm considering a Draw -Tite hitch bar (part #76082) and feeling a bit lazy to install myself as it seems both delicate (plastic bumpers) and fiddly (lowering exhaust). There seem to be three schools of thought out there:

1. Mercedes specialists, for they know the vehicle the best.
2. Tow bar professionals, because they do this all the time. That puts Uhaul at the top of the list!?
3. It doesn't matter since it's such a simple install.

I haven't brought a car, any car, to the doctor in years, so turning the keys over gives me the hibbie jibbies.

I'm looking at that same hitch. It's either that one or the stealth but I don't think the added cost of the stealth is worth it to me. $120 vs. $640

Anyway, I plan on going to a Mercedes specialist unless the cost is that much different from uhaul. But even then it would have to be a huge difference

Here you go. This is a factory installed hitch on my 2017 GLC. It come with integrated Pollak round adapter. I towed a few times with it, including U-Haul utility trailers.

The disappearing hitch offered by MB in Germany is a real nice set up. Not sure of its rating but it is super cool

Try calling around several mechanics to see if they can do it or search on kijiji and see if anyone can do it. I'm in the same boat (already bought the hitch) and I found a mechanic to do it. I just need to set up an appointment.

My GLC has the Premium 2 package. I bought the Tekonsha direct fit wiring module and IT WAS NOT A FIT. I confirmed the problem with Tekonsha. Their marketing said it fits all except Premium 3 and thus is NOT TRUE.

I then bought the Curt Universal module and had to cut and splice it in. This one works perfect and no need to reset any computer codes in the car.

Curt c56236 at etrailer (power line and fuse connection is NOT included in this package)

Edit: wrong thread, sorry.