Bike rack questions
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Lexus RX450h
Bike rack questions
Happy New Year. I’m about to order a 2025 GLC 300 and I could use some help regarding bike racks (Please redirect me to another thread if this is old news.) i have a Kuat carrier that requires a 2” receiver.
1) What does the factory installed OEM hitch look like? Anyone have a picture of the installed hitch? (Yes, I would need to add a 2” adapter.)
2) If I have an aftermarket hitch installed (e.g. Stealth) would it void my warranty?
3) in either case, is there a control that would enable me to back up with the bikes mounted without the car trying to brake or proximity alarms going off?
Thanks!
1) What does the factory installed OEM hitch look like? Anyone have a picture of the installed hitch? (Yes, I would need to add a 2” adapter.)
2) If I have an aftermarket hitch installed (e.g. Stealth) would it void my warranty?
3) in either case, is there a control that would enable me to back up with the bikes mounted without the car trying to brake or proximity alarms going off?
Thanks!
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 88
Likes: 9
From: Central Ontario Canada
2025 AMG GLC43 Coupe, Past ‘12 ML350 & ‘17 GLE AMG43 Coupe, 2021 GLC 300 Coupe
Happy New Year. I’m about to order a 2025 GLC 300 and I could use some help regarding bike racks (Please redirect me to another thread if this is old news.) i have a Kuat carrier that requires a 2” receiver.
1) What does the factory installed OEM hitch look like? Anyone have a picture of the installed hitch? (Yes, I would need to add a 2” adapter.)
You may get a good idea of what it looks like by selecting the trailer hitch option when build an online vehicle. The hitch is nicely concealed.
2) If I have an aftermarket hitch installed (e.g. Stealth) would it void my warranty?
There have been countless threads on this issue over the years that discuss pros and cons of factory hitch. If ordering, a factory hitch is best (IMO) It integrates all warning and sensor systems with the hitch. In the new model, the trailer type, including a bike rack, can be set. The owners manual link is at page 393 in - https://cdn.oneweb.mercedes-benz.com...s-manual-1.pdf
It’s worth a read.
The warranty can be impacted if the after market is poorly or improperly installed. In other threads there are examples of heat shields being cut and wiring spliced poorly.
3) in either case, is there a control that would enable me to back up with the bikes mounted without the car trying to brake or proximity alarms going off?
As mentioned above, a factory hitch allows sensors to be activated.
Thanks!
1) What does the factory installed OEM hitch look like? Anyone have a picture of the installed hitch? (Yes, I would need to add a 2” adapter.)
You may get a good idea of what it looks like by selecting the trailer hitch option when build an online vehicle. The hitch is nicely concealed.
2) If I have an aftermarket hitch installed (e.g. Stealth) would it void my warranty?
There have been countless threads on this issue over the years that discuss pros and cons of factory hitch. If ordering, a factory hitch is best (IMO) It integrates all warning and sensor systems with the hitch. In the new model, the trailer type, including a bike rack, can be set. The owners manual link is at page 393 in - https://cdn.oneweb.mercedes-benz.com...s-manual-1.pdf
It’s worth a read.
The warranty can be impacted if the after market is poorly or improperly installed. In other threads there are examples of heat shields being cut and wiring spliced poorly.
3) in either case, is there a control that would enable me to back up with the bikes mounted without the car trying to brake or proximity alarms going off?
As mentioned above, a factory hitch allows sensors to be activated.
Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Sailon,
I have a 2024 GLC300 coupe with an aftermarket hitch. I can disable the back-up alarms by pressing a switch on the lower centre console, beside the touchpad, that is marked "P off". It is between the DYNAMIC SELECT switch and the Manual Gearshift
I have a 2024 GLC300 coupe with an aftermarket hitch. I can disable the back-up alarms by pressing a switch on the lower centre console, beside the touchpad, that is marked "P off". It is between the DYNAMIC SELECT switch and the Manual Gearshift
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2007 C230 Sport
Hi guys,
I'm a long time reader of the MBWorld forum but never posted. I hope I'm in the ritght place with my question...
I have a 2024 GLC 300 (regular SUV). I'm in desperate need of the hitch for a platform type bike rack. Couldn't care less about the wiring as I do not intend to tow anything.
Now CURT makes 2 models for X253: CURT 13290 and CURT 13477. The former is listed for 2016 to 2020 Mercedes GLC 300, the latter for the 2021 and 2022 models.
And that's where it all ends. Nothing for 2023 and higher.
Since X253 and X254 are similar I'm wondering if any of the 2 above mentioned hitches would fit.
CURT gave me this info: "40.25 inches center to center side to side, approx 5.5 in between the front and back mounting holes" (although I'm not quite sure what "between front and back" would mean... I'd rather say up and down since the 4 mounting holes are disposed in a rectangular pattern since the hitch is sandwitched between the frame railings and the bumper beam)
They also said: "As far as the hitches you listed there is no way of knowing if they would fit the vehicle (n.b. the X254), we have no data on them. The vehicle in question is not listed, and is not one we are looking at making a hitch for, sorry." REALLY? It's a farily popular model and you're not planning to take the proper measurements and make the necessary mods to the existing models to make it fit the X254?
Anyways, does anyone know if any of the CURT 13290 and CURT 13477 would fit the X254 chassis? or at least does anyone know what the bumper beam mounting holes/bolts spacing is?
There is a stealth hitch model that is about 3 times more expensive and it involves butchering the bumper.
Thanks for reading and for any idea you may bring up.
I'm a long time reader of the MBWorld forum but never posted. I hope I'm in the ritght place with my question...
I have a 2024 GLC 300 (regular SUV). I'm in desperate need of the hitch for a platform type bike rack. Couldn't care less about the wiring as I do not intend to tow anything.
Now CURT makes 2 models for X253: CURT 13290 and CURT 13477. The former is listed for 2016 to 2020 Mercedes GLC 300, the latter for the 2021 and 2022 models.
And that's where it all ends. Nothing for 2023 and higher.
Since X253 and X254 are similar I'm wondering if any of the 2 above mentioned hitches would fit.
CURT gave me this info: "40.25 inches center to center side to side, approx 5.5 in between the front and back mounting holes" (although I'm not quite sure what "between front and back" would mean... I'd rather say up and down since the 4 mounting holes are disposed in a rectangular pattern since the hitch is sandwitched between the frame railings and the bumper beam)
They also said: "As far as the hitches you listed there is no way of knowing if they would fit the vehicle (n.b. the X254), we have no data on them. The vehicle in question is not listed, and is not one we are looking at making a hitch for, sorry." REALLY? It's a farily popular model and you're not planning to take the proper measurements and make the necessary mods to the existing models to make it fit the X254?
Anyways, does anyone know if any of the CURT 13290 and CURT 13477 would fit the X254 chassis? or at least does anyone know what the bumper beam mounting holes/bolts spacing is?
There is a stealth hitch model that is about 3 times more expensive and it involves butchering the bumper.
Thanks for reading and for any idea you may bring up.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, Canada
2025 GLC300 4Matic
New GLC300 comes with 11/4" receiver from factory (if you pick this option). I had an issue with 2018 as it was "AMG Design" and bumper was a bit different from mregular line and Curtis could not be installed (got confirmation from Curtis after had to abandon install).
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 436
Likes: 36
From: Barrington IL
2015 E 250, 1999 BMW M Roadster, 1939 International Harvester, 2023 GLC
