All set to order my new 2022 GLE 350 4matic, and my final decision is whether or not to add the "trailer hitch". I have zero anticipated use case for this (no plans to tow), but many threads exist on this forum about people later regretting not having it. And so I figured I'd add it, despite it potentially hurting the rear bumper aesthetic a bit (although maybe an SUV should looked rugged in ways?), but came across this - http://alerts.nationalsafetycommissi...-rear-end.html - and scared me off of it a bit. BUT the author is clearly biased, if you read his bio and see what he's selling.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

I never ordered the trailer hitch on my 53AMG, my 43AMG, my 450GLE and going back to many vehicles. Since I never plan to use it, it never affected my trade in value at all.

 

Regarding safety, you can be sure MB has studied/engineered this, and unless you actually have a ball mount or rack installed the bumper assembly will be the first to receive an impact. Though I have not used the feature often, it is good to have, not just for towing, but for various rack attachments. Adding it later is expensive and a hassle. While I can't say it will increase resale value, it will increase the pool of potential buyers.

 

I have never heard of that organization, but as you mentioned the author "Jeff is CEO of Mohr Mfg and is an expert in rear end collisions - especially those associated with ball mounts and receiver hitches. His company manufacturers patented, portable, crash tested, energy absorbing rear safety guards for vehicles equipped with receiver hitches. These spare bumpers, ball mounts, hitch steps, and bumper shields soften the “crash pulse” to prevent whiplash and reduce rear end collision damage..." Maybe he is a little biased?

Also, this would seem to be relevant only to body-on-frame vehicles?

We have the hitch for the occasional bike rack use, but would never worry about safety.

 

You don’t show your location and I’m guessing that hitch popularity varies by area and location. In a large Metro area a hitch is probably no big deal. In a lot of the West it’s a must have. Towing a trailer or RV’s is one factor but there are a lot of bike owners and even people that add a tray to the hitch. I’ve thought about getting a hitch tray so that I don’t need to carry lawn mower gas inside my car.

 

I don't tow often but I like the ability. Its a deal breaker option for me.

 

Same here.

 

While I do not haul an RV I do use my trailer hitch to attach my rear bike rack. Nice to take our bikes to nature trails.

 

I wouldn't give the article or it's author much credibility. He has an agenda and is selling a product.

 

Get the trailer hitch as it will be a very expensive situation for you when your lifestyle changes. It also don't look bad at all. It is something you will wish you had on that very special occasion.

 

Going for it. Thanks guys! Plus with the look, I like that it makes it feel more "rugged", as an SUV should be!

 

Hitches are not just for towing. They are handy if you want to put a bike carrier or hitch shelf thingy for extra cargo if needed.

Cheers,

 

Fitting a hitch after the fact involves more than just the hardware; there are also changes to the vehicles stability management systems. In the old days I'd happily get an aftermarket one, heck I even fitted a couple at home, but I'm not sure I'd want to do that now.

 

^^^ This ^^^

 

In "the old days," meaning W164 and W166, there were reinforcements inserted into the chassis when the OE hitch was specified as a factory install. If you wanted the same OE hitch installed later, the PARTS cost about $700 but the labor to R&R the rear fascia, bumper etc. was about $2,000.
That's IF you had the Rear SAM, which was extra on W164 and early W166. (Same on X- chassis, GLS) Otherwise the SAM was extra, and in either case the SAM had to be "flashed" to get the trailer recognition, automatically activating the trailer sway control, shift patterns when the 7-pin is plugged in (like "trailering mode" on pickups). The factory hitch attachment points are reinforced on either configuration - aftermarket hitches that don't use those points are suspicious.
The $750 then or $550 now was a bargain.

BTW I bought a CPO Cayenne and needed a hitch installed - it cost $2600, and the entire rear cross-member (HEAVY!!!) was replaced - so it's not just an M-B thing.

I don't know about internal structures in the V / X167, but I do know that you can't buy an OE hitch from M-B any more, for later installation.