GLC as a tow vehicle
#26
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
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2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
Our tow bar and the foot wave to open and close does work from time to time. No idea why, read it is disabled when tow bar installed.
We have not tried wave with goose neck removed to see if it's more accurate and responsible.
We have not tried wave with goose neck removed to see if it's more accurate and responsible.
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tiger_x (02-01-2017)
#28
Member
Thanks for the pics Teckno. That looks pretty neat! I'd imagine it would look fairly inconspicuous with the hitch removed.
Interesting comments on the foot wave feature. I read somewhere that the feature will work if you have the factory tow hitch, but not work with aftermarket hitches
Interesting comments on the foot wave feature. I read somewhere that the feature will work if you have the factory tow hitch, but not work with aftermarket hitches
#29
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2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
We do not remove the neck. So far have not towed in 25k kms !
We use it primarily to stop idiots touch parking and using our car as a cushion for their rust buckets.
Only disappointment is Dealer bit rough in cutting access hole, really needed sharper knife and or a small sleeve to cover / trim hole. I will probably visit Clarke Rubber to Repco, etc, to buy a small length of tubing.
We are considering getting tow bar for our new GLC Coupe, not sure I'd one is made at this stage due to revised rear end.
We use it primarily to stop idiots touch parking and using our car as a cushion for their rust buckets.
Only disappointment is Dealer bit rough in cutting access hole, really needed sharper knife and or a small sleeve to cover / trim hole. I will probably visit Clarke Rubber to Repco, etc, to buy a small length of tubing.
We are considering getting tow bar for our new GLC Coupe, not sure I'd one is made at this stage due to revised rear end.
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tiger_x (02-01-2017)
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The Westfalia hitch has little effect on the departure angle. Therefore much less likely to scrape the towbar.
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tiger_x (02-02-2017)
#33
Boat hooked up and ready to go
Have finally tried out the GLC towing a decent load.
The verdict is yes it is a ML's smaller & lighter brother, but it performed better than I expected.
The boat fuelled up and loaded weighs approx the same as the GLC and the round trip was about 290km. With 4 in the vehicle plus the boat, the fuel consumption was certainly the highest I have recorded at approx twice the usual highway consumption.
Interestingly sports plus mode was more economical that any other mode maybe due to the fact that it kept the revs higher.
Would be interested in other members views on the GLC as a tow vehicle.
Looks like you were close to the max 3500 lb tow capacity. What do you estimate the weight of the trailer and boat?
Thanks,
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#35
#36
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The hitch comes out at the bottom of the bumper but a small cutout from the bumper is required.
The GLC Westfalia hitch has a low ball weight specification of 100kg so it is important to carefully balance your load. This can be tricky with boats depending on your fuel tank location, luckily my 160-litre tank sits between the axels.
#37
Penn -
This is the trailer tow hitch page from the US operators manual. Where does yours differ? Also, the diesel may be the source of your extra towing capacity because of increased torque.
This is the trailer tow hitch page from the US operators manual. Where does yours differ? Also, the diesel may be the source of your extra towing capacity because of increased torque.
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The manual that came with my GLC does not refer to the Oz towing capacity as per the towbar specifications. The nose weight of 127kg as per your manual is higher than the 100kg ball weight in our specifications.
European towing capacities are often higher as they tend to tow at lower speeds.
#39
I think the nose weight difference (with the US higher) may be because of the hitch style. The difference in braked towing capacity is still a mystery but maybe that is because of the hitch style as well. I assume your hitch was factory installed...
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My hitch is the factory approved version for Oz installed by a MB service department.
#41
I thought this was interesting. The MBUSA website has a Compare tab under Shopping Tools. The tow capacity for the AMG GLC 43 shows 5291 lbs. It kinda makes sense given the increase in HP and torque but all the other documentation shows 3500 lbs.
#42
Junior Member
Hi teckno
Do you have a photo of the tow bar removed so i can visualise the cut out section, can you see it from a normal standing position. I am due to book in for a westfalia next week
kind regards
T
Do you have a photo of the tow bar removed so i can visualise the cut out section, can you see it from a normal standing position. I am due to book in for a westfalia next week
kind regards
T
#43
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2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
Hi Tony,
Penn’s photos give a good perspective, earlier here, Feb 17.
I’ll try and remove mine later today, but it’s raining “cats & dogs” here so will wait till ground dries a little before laying down to remove tow bar neck.
Biggest ‘gripe’ from me is the fitter cut a bit too much under the bumper skirt and did not fit a trailing end cover over the saw blade cut, little things on their own, but for a premium car, you expect the little bit extra effort and commitment to quality .
Cheers
Penn’s photos give a good perspective, earlier here, Feb 17.
I’ll try and remove mine later today, but it’s raining “cats & dogs” here so will wait till ground dries a little before laying down to remove tow bar neck.
Biggest ‘gripe’ from me is the fitter cut a bit too much under the bumper skirt and did not fit a trailing end cover over the saw blade cut, little things on their own, but for a premium car, you expect the little bit extra effort and commitment to quality .
Cheers
#44
Junior Member
Hi Tony,
Penn’s photos give a good perspective, earlier here, Feb 17.
I’ll try and remove mine later today, but it’s raining “cats & dogs” here so will wait till ground dries a little before laying down to remove tow bar neck.
Biggest ‘gripe’ from me is the fitter cut a bit too much under the bumper skirt and did not fit a trailing end cover over the saw blade cut, little things on their own, but for a premium car, you expect the little bit extra effort and commitment to quality .
Cheers
Penn’s photos give a good perspective, earlier here, Feb 17.
I’ll try and remove mine later today, but it’s raining “cats & dogs” here so will wait till ground dries a little before laying down to remove tow bar neck.
Biggest ‘gripe’ from me is the fitter cut a bit too much under the bumper skirt and did not fit a trailing end cover over the saw blade cut, little things on their own, but for a premium car, you expect the little bit extra effort and commitment to quality .
Cheers
I couldn't agree more regarding the finish, if possible the photo im after is how the cut lout looks when standing behind the car, is it concealed or has the installer managed to blend on the cut so it dosnt look out of place.
any photos would be greatly appreciated as its my wife car and she is all about the visual side
I couldn't really see how the cut looks from the earlier photos
Kind Regards
Tony
#45
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Hi Techno
I couldn't agree more regarding the finish, if possible the photo im after is how the cut lout looks when standing behind the car, is it concealed or has the installer managed to blend on the cut so it dosnt look out of place.
any photos would be greatly appreciated as its my wife car and she is all about the visual side
I couldn't really see how the cut looks from the earlier photos
Kind Regards
Tony
I couldn't agree more regarding the finish, if possible the photo im after is how the cut lout looks when standing behind the car, is it concealed or has the installer managed to blend on the cut so it dosnt look out of place.
any photos would be greatly appreciated as its my wife car and she is all about the visual side
I couldn't really see how the cut looks from the earlier photos
Kind Regards
Tony
Sorry, bad day here.
I’ll get you the photo tomorrow, without fail !
Will load it here for you to see.
Cheers from Oz....
#46
Junior Member
#48
MBWorld Fanatic!
If you need an aux intercooler and fan setup, then you need a full size pickup or SUV not a crossover. Not trying to be rude, just stating a fact.
The GLC is OK for light loads but It's towing capacity is limited and exceeding the tow capacity is not safe.
Last edited by Mr. J; 06-23-2018 at 06:35 PM.
#49
Junior Member