Aftermarket hitch and wiring
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
When I got my ML350 eons ago it did not have the hitch. Then my family started having bikes and there were those occasional moments that I wished I had a hitch. After finding out the complexity of getting one properly installed on any MB suv it made clear that the hitch option is a MUST have option even if you will never tow. The additional safety and better reselling price justifies the $600 option. It just does not make sense why a $600 option won't be ticked when one is paying 6 figures for a vehicle. The idea of spending +$2000 for a aftermarket one + your valuable time and voiding potentially your warranty does not sit well to be honest. This also washes MB's hands in any potential lawsuit if for some reason you caused an accident because your hitch failed or you lost control of your vehicle because your vehicle was not properly equipped. We might be over thinking this but there is always a reason why MB is not helping anyone doing a aftermarket or OEM retrofit. Blame the blood sucking lawyers and the german engineering.
Next time when you buy another SUV (any brand), tick the hitch option.
This is why MB is not offering a retrofit. Just look at what is involved to properly do it https://mbworld.org/forums/gl63-amg-...h-install.html . Also, there are reinforcement placed in the vehicle with the hitch. So yes, MB has all the reason not to help anyone with aftermarket install for safety reasons.
Next time when you buy another SUV (any brand), tick the hitch option.
This is why MB is not offering a retrofit. Just look at what is involved to properly do it https://mbworld.org/forums/gl63-amg-...h-install.html . Also, there are reinforcement placed in the vehicle with the hitch. So yes, MB has all the reason not to help anyone with aftermarket install for safety reasons.
Last edited by shotgun_banjo; Dec 21, 2023 at 01:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
2023 GLE 450
When I got my ML350 eons ago it did not have the hitch. Then my family started having bikes and there were those occasional moments that I wished I had a hitch. After finding out the complexity of getting one properly installed on any MB suv it made clear that the hitch option is a MUST have option even if you will never tow. The additional safety and better reselling price justifies the $600 option. It just does not make sense why a $600 option won't be ticked when one is paying 6 figures for a vehicle. The idea of spending +$2000 for a aftermarket one + your valuable time and voiding potentially your warranty does not sit well to be honest. This also washes MB's hands in any potential lawsuit if for some reason you caused an accident because your hitch failed or you lost control of your vehicle because your vehicle was not properly equipped. We might be over thinking this but there is always a reason why MB is not helping anyone doing a aftermarket or OEM retrofit. Blame the blood sucking lawyers and the german engineering.
Next time when you buy another SUV (any brand), tick the hitch option.
This is why MB is not offering a retrofit. Just look at what is involved to properly do it https://mbworld.org/forums/gl63-amg-...h-install.html . Also, there are reinforcement placed in the vehicle with the hitch. So yes, MB has all the reason not to help anyone with aftermarket install for safety reasons.
Next time when you buy another SUV (any brand), tick the hitch option.
This is why MB is not offering a retrofit. Just look at what is involved to properly do it https://mbworld.org/forums/gl63-amg-...h-install.html . Also, there are reinforcement placed in the vehicle with the hitch. So yes, MB has all the reason not to help anyone with aftermarket install for safety reasons.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
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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
As another poster said, this thread should be required reading for people considering towing.
The factory dash cam is another one with unexpected issues when adding after the build.
Last edited by mikapen; Dec 21, 2023 at 12:10 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 463
Likes: 145
From: Toronto, Canada
2023 GLE63S - Edition 55
I would think dealers should automatically add the hitch to all stock SUVs. It's logical that an SUV owner may at some point have the need to tow something. I can't recall seeing any GLE at our local dealer without the hitch.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,184
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Some on the forum have been pretty vocal about it.
FWIW I added a factory hitch to a Cayenne, and it cost $2,500, just like the GLE. I still have the takeoff rear cross member. It's quite heavy.
Thread Starter
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2023 GLE 450
Last edited by tulkunam; Dec 21, 2023 at 04:25 PM.
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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
Euro trailers and Euro hitches are entirely different from US hitches.
Until just recently, their trailers could almost be pulled by a bicycle, had single axles, tongue weights of about 100 lb, and GVWR in the 1500lb. range.
They were designed to be pulled by little sedans, largely because there aren't any tow vehicles or pickups there.
WDH's were not even allowed until a British manufacturer came up with their take on one, about 15 or so years ago. Until then it was a trade restriction thing, with Aussie and US manufacturers being the only ones building real hitches.
Aftermarket hitches need very little strength in Europe, more similar in capacity to a bicycle rack .
Apples and oranges.
Until just recently, their trailers could almost be pulled by a bicycle, had single axles, tongue weights of about 100 lb, and GVWR in the 1500lb. range.
They were designed to be pulled by little sedans, largely because there aren't any tow vehicles or pickups there.
WDH's were not even allowed until a British manufacturer came up with their take on one, about 15 or so years ago. Until then it was a trade restriction thing, with Aussie and US manufacturers being the only ones building real hitches.
Aftermarket hitches need very little strength in Europe, more similar in capacity to a bicycle rack .
Apples and oranges.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 26
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2023 GLE 450
i guess the fact that Europe has a larger caravan market then North America is false then? They also make better stronger caravans than NA taking hints from Australia. Biggest caravan show I’ve been to - CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf and it is awe inspiring. They don’t focus only on light and ultra light garbage like NA. But I guess based on your facts those companies are all going bankrupt from lack of sales to the flailing European market.
Last edited by tulkunam; Dec 21, 2023 at 06:08 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
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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
@tulkunam please read my posts more carefully. My timeline was accurate.
And the fact that there are very few heavy duty tow vehicles in Europe is also true, along with the size of almost all of their caravans even today.
Most cars there don't have the ability to even pull a pop up camper.
They pull their Caravans but they're tiny little things by our standards.
The huge ones you see parked along the Tour de France are probably team cars and wealthy individuals - not a representative cross-section of European caravans.
I'm just providing information. There's no reason to argue.
I didn't say you were stupid for buying a hitchless car. (You said that.)
I just read your statement that the only one on the lot that was unsold didn't have a hitch.
And then I highlighted it, because that is common practice when you are responding to only one part of a post.
Take what you want from this thread, ignore the rest, and do what you want.
Edit: I just looked at your 2023 Dusseldorf show participants. The first five I picked at random were all single axle, 750kg carvans.
One mentioned that no special license is needed to tow under 750kg, which is telling.
And the fact that there are very few heavy duty tow vehicles in Europe is also true, along with the size of almost all of their caravans even today.
Most cars there don't have the ability to even pull a pop up camper.
They pull their Caravans but they're tiny little things by our standards.
The huge ones you see parked along the Tour de France are probably team cars and wealthy individuals - not a representative cross-section of European caravans.
I'm just providing information. There's no reason to argue.
I didn't say you were stupid for buying a hitchless car. (You said that.)
I just read your statement that the only one on the lot that was unsold didn't have a hitch.
And then I highlighted it, because that is common practice when you are responding to only one part of a post.
Take what you want from this thread, ignore the rest, and do what you want.
Edit: I just looked at your 2023 Dusseldorf show participants. The first five I picked at random were all single axle, 750kg carvans.
One mentioned that no special license is needed to tow under 750kg, which is telling.
Last edited by mikapen; Dec 21, 2023 at 07:37 PM.
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2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
I wouldn't be too worried. People have been pulling trailers too heavy for their hitch/vehicles for decades. I doubt the OP is in danger with his setup and is even educated on the potential issues. The average person goes to U-haul, asks them to install a hitch + wiring then promptly overloads a monster trailer mostly without serious consequences. Even in my family's history I can think of instances where we towed more than we should have with our vehicles. We didn't die.
