GLC as a tow vehicle
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 36
From: Melbourne, Australia
GLE 350D GLC 250D, Previous vehicles W204, W164, W163, W210 & W202
GLC as a tow vehicle
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.
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Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
Penn,
Great photo. Your "Beast" same colour as mine. Did you fit the MB tow bar or after market like Reece ?
Interesting observation re economy when using sports+.
Many thanks for your info and photo.
Great photo. Your "Beast" same colour as mine. Did you fit the MB tow bar or after market like Reece ?
Interesting observation re economy when using sports+.
Many thanks for your info and photo.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 36
From: Melbourne, Australia
GLE 350D GLC 250D, Previous vehicles W204, W164, W163, W210 & W202
I have the Westfalia dealer fitted hitch.
Although I dislike the chain mounting points on the Westfalia, the system does have some advantages over a Hayman Reece type hitch, in particular, it is much quieter as it does not rattle.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 36
From: Melbourne, Australia
GLE 350D GLC 250D, Previous vehicles W204, W164, W163, W210 & W202
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
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like a maniac
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 168
Likes: 12
From: Western Australia
GLC43
Does anyone know if the factory fitted towbar comes with upgraded transmission oil cooler and larger radiator fan? I heard this mentioned before, but for the life of me cant find the thread..
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 161
From: Melbourne, Australia
2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
Same here.
My 16 came optioned with the oem hitch. There was not however, options for gearbox oil cooler or heavy duty fan.
I will check however the detailed 4 page sheet I got from dealer that listed everything put into our car at factory, incl items marked for Australia and hot climates, etc. I'll get back to you.
My 16 came optioned with the oem hitch. There was not however, options for gearbox oil cooler or heavy duty fan.
I will check however the detailed 4 page sheet I got from dealer that listed everything put into our car at factory, incl items marked for Australia and hot climates, etc. I'll get back to you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,040
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
No, Westfalin one with narrow goose neck.
It seems Oz has the toughest tow regulations and design laws in the world. Lots of approved OEM bars from overseas do not comply. I think that is the main reason we miss out on the folding version. Not many cars out there with narrow goose neck, majority have standard thick tongue type.
It seems Oz has the toughest tow regulations and design laws in the world. Lots of approved OEM bars from overseas do not comply. I think that is the main reason we miss out on the folding version. Not many cars out there with narrow goose neck, majority have standard thick tongue type.
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 168
Likes: 12
From: Western Australia
GLC43
Teckno,
was your Westfalin towbar fitted at the factory or at the dealer? Is it detachable?
My order was to include the factory fitted electric towbar, which ive run by the dealer twice to be sure. He assures me this can be added.. So im not sure now given that both yourself and Larry have different tow hitches
was your Westfalin towbar fitted at the factory or at the dealer? Is it detachable?
My order was to include the factory fitted electric towbar, which ive run by the dealer twice to be sure. He assures me this can be added.. So im not sure now given that both yourself and Larry have different tow hitches
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
Orderd with car, but fitted by dealer.
The Kiev site that lists all,VIN data even id the fact has tow bar, but fitted by dealer !
We assumed it would be fitted at feacory, maybe they just ensured wiring loom and and wire loom work was compliant to allow bar fitted later ?
The Kiev site that lists all,VIN data even id the fact has tow bar, but fitted by dealer !
We assumed it would be fitted at feacory, maybe they just ensured wiring loom and and wire loom work was compliant to allow bar fitted later ?
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 168
Likes: 12
From: Western Australia
GLC43
Yeah, its strange 'cause the official from my dealer is that they dont fit aftermarket towbars / hitches.. *Scratching head*
hahahaha, not too many mountains where I am, Axel B!
The factory towbars / tow hitches are supposedly integrated with the ESP features and Trailer Stability Assist. TSA is enabled when the trailer is detected.
hahahaha, not too many mountains where I am, Axel B!
The factory towbars / tow hitches are supposedly integrated with the ESP features and Trailer Stability Assist. TSA is enabled when the trailer is detected.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 36
From: Melbourne, Australia
GLE 350D GLC 250D, Previous vehicles W204, W164, W163, W210 & W202
In Oz there is no option for oil coolers etc as Mercedes fit all Oz delivered vehicles with the same heavy duty cooling systems that they use for the middle east market.
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 168
Likes: 12
From: Western Australia
GLC43
So, thought i'd contact the dealer again today to clarify. Now they are saying that the tow hitch is a genuine mercedes hitch, but it is fitted at the dealership, and it is not the electric one. Folding hitch not available for reasons Teckno stated earlier - doesnt meet ADR, etc.
The dealer mentioned that the hitch can be removed and put in the boot. I'll have to see this hitch before i give them the go ahead. My concern is it will look tacky on the back ( when detached ). I wanted something more concealed.
The dealer mentioned that the hitch can be removed and put in the boot. I'll have to see this hitch before i give them the go ahead. My concern is it will look tacky on the back ( when detached ). I wanted something more concealed.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 36
From: Melbourne, Australia
GLE 350D GLC 250D, Previous vehicles W204, W164, W163, W210 & W202
So, thought i'd contact the dealer again today to clarify. Now they are saying that the tow hitch is a genuine mercedes hitch, but it is fitted at the dealership, and it is not the electric one. Folding hitch not available for reasons Teckno stated earlier - doesnt meet ADR, etc.
The dealer mentioned that the hitch can be removed and put in the boot. I'll have to see this hitch before i give them the go ahead. My concern is it will look tacky on the back ( when detached ). I wanted something more concealed.
The dealer mentioned that the hitch can be removed and put in the boot. I'll have to see this hitch before i give them the go ahead. My concern is it will look tacky on the back ( when detached ). I wanted something more concealed.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 36
From: Melbourne, Australia
GLE 350D GLC 250D, Previous vehicles W204, W164, W163, W210 & W202
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,333
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From: Dorset, UK
GLC 450
It is in the UK, from the ebrochure:
"Tow bar, fully electric – includes 13-pin socket
When ordering, please discuss with your Retailer any specific electrical
towing requirements
AMG Line: in conjunction with Premium or Premium Plus
equipment line (code DP0 or DP1), hands-free access (code 871)
is removed"
"Tow bar, fully electric – includes 13-pin socket
When ordering, please discuss with your Retailer any specific electrical
towing requirements
AMG Line: in conjunction with Premium or Premium Plus
equipment line (code DP0 or DP1), hands-free access (code 871)
is removed"
