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Hey all. New here and looking for some advice. Got a 2023 GLE 450. Didn’t have a hitch from factory but I need one. Got the hitch done now but the wiring is proving elusive. The hitch installer had no wiring harness listed. MB dealer offered me part numbers of what I potentially need but could offer no detailed information
167-540-09-07
167-540-12-09
which from googling DO look to be related to trailer wiring BUT I can’t find anything else as far as details on installation instruction or is it two plug and play parts? Why is it two parts? Most wiring harness would be a single part. etc. Does anyone have background on getting the wiring done after initial purchase? Thanks much!
On previous versions, the 164 and 166, there was a rear SAM, signal acquisition module, that either needed to be installed or if present, coded for the trailering functions to be armed. Such as blind spot monitoring, transmission programming etc.
I'm not sure the electrics can be done cleanly as an aftermarket installation.
The hitch itself will probably only be rated to 3,500 lb, although Curt seems to have one rated higher. It involves replacing the entire rear crossmember and a cutout to the rear facia.
I've seen that and I'm kind of nervous about the way it's attached. Their text keeps talking about attaching it to the frame, but a GLE doesn't have a frame as we know it.
The entire geometry looks suspicious to me, the way it dangles to a crossbar and then dangles again to the receiver. I'm guessing major flex and eventual failure.
I'd look for more reports from long-term GLE owners with heavy trailers.
You might check out the Curt hitch. Doesn't have the dangles. I put a $2 hitch cover, so I don't need stainless.
Torklift is as a respected company, but I don't know about this product.
I've seen that and I'm kind of nervous about the way it's attached. Their text keeps talking about attaching it to the frame, but a GLE doesn't have a frame as we know it.
The entire geometry looks suspicious to me, the way it dangles to a crossbar and then dangles again to the receiver. I'm guessing major flex and eventual failure.
I'd look for more reports from long-term GLE owners with heavy trailers.
You might check out the Curt hitch. Doesn't have the dangles. I put a $2 hitch cover, so I don't need stainless.
Torklift is as a respected company, but I don't know about this product.
Curt doesn’t do 2020+ GLE hitches. I’m okay with the hitch which is custom make for 2020+ GLE. More worried about getting proper wiring now. Thanks.
I read all that from your first post, which is why I'm suspicious about their mounting.
In order to avoid cutting the rear fascia, they created what looks like a 12-in lever, instead of a 6-in lever that the factory has. Roughly speaking.
Do they have any reviews from GLE owners towing an 8,000 lb trailer?
Factory install is cut the same way rough cut edges and all. My hitch has the same level of drop height and hugs below the bumper same as factory. There are no references of people towing max capability of any GLE that I have seen but I can confirm that this is the only custom fit North American offering for years 2020 and up GLE and if there were things to complain about that Americans would not hesitate by now
As i try to install a tow hitch on my GLE450e i found it helpful that earlier poster found som part number for wiring harness
can confirm that A167 540 12 09 is the one between rear SAM, fusebox and the tow controller.
It have all the connectors and even came with fuses
Now i will get started to install my Mercedes tow. Will update later with my progress. May take some weeks...
and then find a dealer to convince to add the code 550 so the car know it has the tow...
As i try to install a tow hitch on my GLE450e i found it helpful that earlier poster found som part number for wiring harness
can confirm that A167 540 12 09 is the one between rear SAM, fusebox and the tow controller.
It have all the connectors and even came with fuses
Now i will get started to install my Mercedes tow. Will update later with my progress. May take some weeks...
and then find a dealer to convince to add the code 550 so the car know it has the tow...
my final solution was NOT to go with Mercedes wiring as they were asking a stupid amount of money to replace things that didn’t need replacing. I instead went with the wiring from
Stealth hitches https://stealthhitches.com/products/...n-kit-sht25054
and the hitch from Torklift https://torkliftcentral.com/mercedes...tainless-steel
hitch was installed by U-Haul and wiring was installed by Mercedes. But it took a long time to find a dealership that would do it.
now this kit resolves everything except trailer brakes. To complete that need I will use and RF trailer brake like
https:/www.tekonsha.com/product/902502_trailer-brake-control-proportional
Hey all. New here and looking for some advice. Got a 2023 GLE 450. Didn’t have a hitch from factory but I need one. Got the hitch done now but the wiring is proving elusive. The hitch installer had no wiring harness listed. MB dealer offered me part numbers of what I potentially need but could offer no detailed information
167-540-09-07
167-540-12-09
which from googling DO look to be related to trailer wiring BUT I can’t find anything else as far as details on installation instruction or is it two plug and play parts? Why is it two parts? Most wiring harness would be a single part. etc. Does anyone have background on getting the wiring done after initial purchase? Thanks much!
There will be much more things that needs to be done other than buying the parts. It needs to be coded in as well. There will be items missing on the MBUX if it does not have the OEM hitch. If you are just using it for bikes etc it might not be an issue but if you will be towing a boat or camper you need to do this properly which means paying a kidney to get it done and coded in by MB IF they will even do it. The tow package is one of the options that you should have gotten from the factory as MB is not offering the actual parts for the towing kit anymore not like the previous generation.
There will be much more things that needs to be done other than buying the parts. It needs to be coded in as well. There will be items missing on the MBUX if it does not have the OEM hitch. If you are just using it for bikes etc it might not be an issue but if you will be towing a boat or camper you need to do this properly which means paying a kidney to get it done and coded in by MB IF they will even do it. The tow package is one of the options that you should have gotten from the factory as MB is not offering the actual parts for the towing kit anymore not like the previous generation.
This thread should be required reading for those who ask if they should order the trailer hitch option on their new GLE ($600).
what pisses me off is in 4 years Mercedes couldn’t bothered with defining the exact steps to add hitch and wiring using Mb equipment. All dealers were like. Well give us 8 hours and 4000$ in parts and we will figure it out.
My solution costed under 2k CAD and works with the need of having an RF brake controller
This thread should be required reading for those who ask if they should order the trailer hitch option on their new GLE ($600).
Agreed! I always get the factory hitch, even if I think there's only a remote possibility I'll ever want to tow something. Saves major brain damage later...
what pisses me off is in 4 years Mercedes couldn’t bothered with defining the exact steps to add hitch and wiring using Mb equipment. All dealers were like. Well give us 8 hours and 4000$ in parts and we will figure it out.
My solution costed under 2k CAD and works with the need of having an RF brake controller
There are no "steps to add hitch and wiring" because the additional chassis reinforcement that was included in the 164/166 models, can no longer be installed after the build.
On those models, the hitch "kit" included the rear SAM, a new crossmember, those internal chassis reinforcements, in addition to the receiver. The result was a 7200 lb weight rating (new are 7700) that accommodates a WDH - weight distribution hitch. The "Kit" cost $650, and labor, which involved removal of more than the crossmember and installation of the internal chassis members, amounted to @$2500. At $100/hr - just a memory now.
The thing you installed has a lower rating and no WDH capability, partly because of no reinforcement. You also don't have the communication that gives trailer light condition, transmission tow mode, etc.
Yours is a step up from a Curt or U-haul hitch, but it's not for real towing. You can't even add sway control.
There are no "steps to add hitch and wiring" because the additional chassis reinforcement that was included in the 164/166 models, can no longer be installed after the build.
On those models, the hitch "kit" included the rear SAM, a new crossmember, those internal chassis reinforcements, in addition to the receiver. The result was a 7200 lb weight rating (new are 7700) that accommodates a WDH - weight distribution hitch. The "Kit" cost $650, and labor, which involved removal of more than the crossmember and installation of the internal chassis members, amounted to @$2500. At $100/hr - just a memory now.
The thing you installed has a lower rating and no WDH capability, partly because of no reinforcement. You also don't have the communication that gives trailer light condition, transmission tow mode, etc.
Yours is a step up from a Curt or U-haul hitch, but it's not for real towing. You can't even add sway control.
It's fine, but there are limitations.
the steps could be a definition of what wire harnesses are required additional 7 pin connector. Bracket to hold in place. Additional fuses and wiring to connect to vehicle. Additional programming to tie in additional wiring to vehicle. When a dealer tells me in 4 years of this model MB couldn’t be bothered to outline a retrofit is pretty bad. Even if it is a sub standard option.
the steps could be a definition of what wire harnesses are required additional 7 pin connector. Bracket to hold in place. Additional fuses and wiring to connect to vehicle. Additional programming to tie in additional wiring to vehicle. When a dealer tells me in 4 years of this model MB couldn’t be bothered to outline a retrofit is pretty bad. Even if it is a sub standard option.
They also don't provide a kit to convert to a panoramic sunroof. 😀
The structural modifications probably can't be done after the build, as I said above.
Notice I said "structural."
I don't trust the mounting points on your solution for serious towing. It's too "aftermarkety" for my comfort.
Apparently people buy them, although I've never seen one.
I kind of pay attention to hitches and setups, because there are so many bad examples passing through my town, the gateway to the Rockies. Scary.
There are trade-offs to taking aftermarket solutions. It's good to know what they are.
They also don't provide a kit to convert to a panoramic sunroof. 😀
The structural modifications probably can't be done after the build, as I said above.
Notice I said "structural."
I don't trust the mounting points on your solution for serious towing. It's too "aftermarkety" for my comfort.
Apparently people buy them, although I've never seen one.
I kind of pay attention to hitches and setups, because there are so many bad examples passing through my town, the gateway to the Rockies. Scary.
There are trade-offs to taking aftermarket solutions. It's good to know what they are.
not talking structural. They should be able to template required changes for a wiring solution period. After market hitch installs are a very common request. Adding a sunroof is not. Apples and oranges.
not talking structural. They should be able to template required changes for a wiring solution period. After market hitch installs are a very common request. Adding a sunroof is not. Apples and oranges.
You should be talking structural. It's kind of a safety thing.
But I'm talking about the actual hitch and you're talking about the wiring.
You're mad at Mercedes because they're not providing you the diagram to a solution.
Maybe there is no solution for your aftermarket hitch. If if there were, wouldn't the hitch provider just give you one?
Anyway, the information I provided should help understand the differences in the models and their hitches.
I've made some assumptions about the 167 factory hitch, so I hope others will fill in gaps.
not talking structural. They should be able to template required changes for a wiring solution period. After market hitch installs are a very common request. Adding a sunroof is not. Apples and oranges.
To give you a data point, I did not have factory installed hitch on my Jeep GC 2016 (WK2) and the dealer added one as Jeep came pre-wired. HOWEVER, for factory tow package, the tow rating is 6500lbs. For aftersales, OEM kit, the rating remains 3500lbs. So, yes, it was easier on Jeep but the solution had more than 2x lower tow rating.
what ev. I had a problem I outlined a path to a solution. I don’t intend to max tow 7700 lbs. Take it as you want. Your second statement has the disclaimer that your first should have had. I crawled under multiple 2022 and 2023 factory installed GLEs. The mount points are identical to my end solution. The frame reinforcements you are noting I saw no evidence of in my direct investigations. So your points are good points of note of how things could be but best not to pass them as definitive first hand knowledge. Thanks.
I think @mikapen offered a really good perspective. I think we have all seen people on the roads that do not know how to tow with trailers also loaded incorrectly and that is scary. I am not surprised MB doesn't have the info because they likely don't want people doing this for a reason (saftey). While something might work you won't know how well until you reach a point of failure. I would not feel comfortable towing with your setup and I have logged a lot of miles with a trailer in my days. While you might feel good about it, you also don't have facts. I'll go with the senior member on this one. Safety first bro.
07-29-2023, 03:36 PM
