Trailer Towing with my 2020 GLE 350 4Matic: Lance 1575 vs. 1685
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2020 Mercedes GLE 350 4Matic
Trailer Towing with my 2020 GLE 350 4Matic: Lance 1575 vs. 1685
Hello everyone,
I am looking into purchasing a lightweight travel trailer to tow with my 2020 GLE 350 4Matic. It has the towing package.
I really liked the floor plans of both the Lance 1575 and 1685 models. I am leaning towards the 1685 model because it has two axles, bigger water tanks, and has a slightly better floor plan. But the 1685 model also has a higher GVWR of 5500 LBS as compared to the 3700 LBS of the 1575 model.
I am trying to stay well below the 7700 LBS towing capacity of my car for safety reasons and as I know it is not a V6. I am aware that the weight adds up quickly after you factor in all the variables in relation to weight.
We are a family of 4 we usually make weekend trips and even week-long trips to the various mountainous regions along the west coast of the USA.
We need to boondock occasionally as well.
Here are the specs for both trailers.
Specs for:
Lance 1575
Lance 1685
Does anyone have any experience towing either of these trailers?
Regardless, do you see any concerns in towing either of these trailers, especially the 1685 model with this car?
I appreciate your time and thank you in advance for your guidance!
- Adarsh
I am looking into purchasing a lightweight travel trailer to tow with my 2020 GLE 350 4Matic. It has the towing package.
I really liked the floor plans of both the Lance 1575 and 1685 models. I am leaning towards the 1685 model because it has two axles, bigger water tanks, and has a slightly better floor plan. But the 1685 model also has a higher GVWR of 5500 LBS as compared to the 3700 LBS of the 1575 model.
I am trying to stay well below the 7700 LBS towing capacity of my car for safety reasons and as I know it is not a V6. I am aware that the weight adds up quickly after you factor in all the variables in relation to weight.
We are a family of 4 we usually make weekend trips and even week-long trips to the various mountainous regions along the west coast of the USA.
We need to boondock occasionally as well.
Here are the specs for both trailers.
Specs for:
Lance 1575
Lance 1685
Does anyone have any experience towing either of these trailers?
Regardless, do you see any concerns in towing either of these trailers, especially the 1685 model with this car?
I appreciate your time and thank you in advance for your guidance!
- Adarsh
Last edited by adattani; Feb 28, 2022 at 02:13 AM.
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Hello, Adarsh. I pull a Lance 2285, a 27', 6,000# GVWR trailer. The GLE (and our old MLs) is a fully capable tow vehicle. While the 2 liter has less power, my feeling (haven driven a 350 for a thousand miles at 5 - 10,000 feet elevation, is that there will be enough power to pull a 1685 around, except for higher speed passing maneuvers, which are pretty rare.
Be aware that the new (2022) Lances are transitioning from a lightweight, engineered frame, to a bigger, heavier frame, and going from independent Dexter torsion axles to leaf springs. Some say that this is a step backwards, but the trailers have gained weight over the years as they move from Ulrtra Lightweight to Glamping. They are very high quality trailers. If you're not aware of the Lance Owners of America, visit their site at https://community.lanceowners.org/
While the tongue weight, as published by Lance, shows 540#, use their online configurator to get a more accurate number with your equipment. Short of that, use 10 - 12% of the GVWR 6,300# = 630 - 756#, which is the tongue weight to avoid sway.
Your biggest problem will be getting your passengers and cargo under the payload capacity posted on the GLE doorpost. I expect that Payload to be 1,000 - 1,600#, and you'll need to stay in that range to avoid overloading the GLE. (I cheat and use the Axle capacities - GAWR, also on the doorpost. I am under those capacities when hitched, loaded, and WDH adjusted, and under the GLE GVWR, but over payload., tongue weight for me is 720#.
I pulled a 3,500# trailer with our VW Tiguan (A 2 liter Golf in SUV clothing) and there was PLENTY of power here in the Rockies, but not enough suspension. The GLE has plenty of suspension and brakes. I'd say "Go,"
Be aware that the new (2022) Lances are transitioning from a lightweight, engineered frame, to a bigger, heavier frame, and going from independent Dexter torsion axles to leaf springs. Some say that this is a step backwards, but the trailers have gained weight over the years as they move from Ulrtra Lightweight to Glamping. They are very high quality trailers. If you're not aware of the Lance Owners of America, visit their site at https://community.lanceowners.org/
While the tongue weight, as published by Lance, shows 540#, use their online configurator to get a more accurate number with your equipment. Short of that, use 10 - 12% of the GVWR 6,300# = 630 - 756#, which is the tongue weight to avoid sway.
Your biggest problem will be getting your passengers and cargo under the payload capacity posted on the GLE doorpost. I expect that Payload to be 1,000 - 1,600#, and you'll need to stay in that range to avoid overloading the GLE. (I cheat and use the Axle capacities - GAWR, also on the doorpost. I am under those capacities when hitched, loaded, and WDH adjusted, and under the GLE GVWR, but over payload., tongue weight for me is 720#.
I pulled a 3,500# trailer with our VW Tiguan (A 2 liter Golf in SUV clothing) and there was PLENTY of power here in the Rockies, but not enough suspension. The GLE has plenty of suspension and brakes. I'd say "Go,"
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2022
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2020 Mercedes GLE 350 4Matic
Hello, Adarsh. I pull a Lance 2285, a 27', 6,000# GVWR trailer. The GLE (and our old MLs) is a fully capable tow vehicle. While the 2 liter has less power, my feeling (haven driven a 350 for a thousand miles at 5 - 10,000 feet elevation, is that there will be enough power to pull a 1685 around, except for higher speed passing maneuvers, which are pretty rare.
Be aware that the new (2022) Lances are transitioning from a lightweight, engineered frame, to a bigger, heavier frame, and going from independent Dexter torsion axles to leaf springs. Some say that this is a step backwards, but the trailers have gained weight over the years as they move from Ulrtra Lightweight to Glamping. They are very high quality trailers. If you're not aware of the Lance Owners of America, visit their site at https://community.lanceowners.org/
While the tongue weight, as published by Lance, shows 540#, use their online configurator to get a more accurate number with your equipment. Short of that, use 10 - 12% of the GVWR 6,300# = 630 - 756#, which is the tongue weight to avoid sway.
Your biggest problem will be getting your passengers and cargo under the payload capacity posted on the GLE doorpost. I expect that Payload to be 1,000 - 1,600#, and you'll need to stay in that range to avoid overloading the GLE. (I cheat and use the Axle capacities - GAWR, also on the doorpost. I am under those capacities when hitched, loaded, and WDH adjusted, and under the GLE GVWR, but over payload., tongue weight for me is 720#.
I pulled a 3,500# trailer with our VW Tiguan (A 2 liter Golf in SUV clothing) and there was PLENTY of power here in the Rockies, but not enough suspension. The GLE has plenty of suspension and brakes. I'd say "Go,"
Be aware that the new (2022) Lances are transitioning from a lightweight, engineered frame, to a bigger, heavier frame, and going from independent Dexter torsion axles to leaf springs. Some say that this is a step backwards, but the trailers have gained weight over the years as they move from Ulrtra Lightweight to Glamping. They are very high quality trailers. If you're not aware of the Lance Owners of America, visit their site at https://community.lanceowners.org/
While the tongue weight, as published by Lance, shows 540#, use their online configurator to get a more accurate number with your equipment. Short of that, use 10 - 12% of the GVWR 6,300# = 630 - 756#, which is the tongue weight to avoid sway.
Your biggest problem will be getting your passengers and cargo under the payload capacity posted on the GLE doorpost. I expect that Payload to be 1,000 - 1,600#, and you'll need to stay in that range to avoid overloading the GLE. (I cheat and use the Axle capacities - GAWR, also on the doorpost. I am under those capacities when hitched, loaded, and WDH adjusted, and under the GLE GVWR, but over payload., tongue weight for me is 720#.
I pulled a 3,500# trailer with our VW Tiguan (A 2 liter Golf in SUV clothing) and there was PLENTY of power here in the Rockies, but not enough suspension. The GLE has plenty of suspension and brakes. I'd say "Go,"
I plan on renting one first if I can to get some first-hand experience with the towing as well as the floor plan.
If and when I am ready to purchase, I might purchase either a new 2021 model or a used model later than 2016, depending upon availability, budget, etc.
Thank you once again, for your detailed reply. I appreciate it.
