Hammer212

Working on a MY25 GLE 580 build. One open switch is whether or not to include the Trailer Hitch (550) option.

I do not expect to ever have a need for it, and accordingly I'm not crazy about the aesthetic. However, the DOG indicates that included with 550 is Increased Towing Capacity (557). This raises the question: what's included in that? Changes to engine power? Torque? Suspension? Engine cooling system? I might want those things.

After initially being quite helpful and accommodating with test drives, the CA with whom I've been working has since not been especially helpful with trying to sort through build questions like this,,, and even referred to me by another client's name in his last email "check in." Thanks in advance for helping to fill the information gap.

taphil

See

https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...tow-hitch.html

stktyz33

You do want to get this option. You may not need it NOW but if you ever decide to tow something or even install a hitch mounted bike rack (these are the best ones), you'll thank yourself later. It's hard-to-impossible to retrofit the OEM one properly as it's not just the parts, it's also programming etc...

Hammer212

@taphil Thanks for the re-direct. Read there a post from @Richard Nummi that the Trailer Hitch option includes heavy-duty springs. Wondering if this is not the "Increased Towing Capacity" (557) referred to in the DOG. That would make common sense. If that's the case, question now becomes: how do the HD springs impact normal driving dynamics? Stiffer (not in a good way) ride?

@stktyz33 Especially after reading the other thread, I'd have ZERO interest in retrofitting. And... even though I own a boat, I prefer to let the boat company do all the trailering. BUT... I am a cyclist, and you raise an excellent point about trailer hitch-mounted racks. Thank you!


Guess this means I'd have to be in for the Tailer Maneuvering Assist (553) option also... not for the bike mount scenario, but seems silly to get the hitch and not the assist.

stktyz33

I believe it only matters for cars with steel springs. You're getting a 580, which comes standard with the AIRMATIC, which is self-leveling, with adaptive dampers and can support the added load. I double checked my build, which has the AIRMATIC too, it does have the increased capacity but doesn't have the "HD springs".

elbekko

For me, the 3500kg towing capacity was only possible with airmatic, otherwise it would've been 2700kg. I don't think there was a separate pack on top of that.

jkaetz

Tow package includes extra/more capable cooling bits as well as coding changes (Suspension, transmission, stability system, parking sensors, etc...) While you can likely retrofit a hitch after the fact, you'll never be able to replicate all the changes.

Hammer212

This is why I get a little squeamish about including this option in my build. Not keen on stacking all these mods, since at best I might be using the hitch for a bike carrier. Might be wiser to put the $600 for the trailer hitch and $350 for the manuring assist toward a sweet Yakima roof rack.

mikapen

I believe all those heavy duty items are standard, whether you get the tow package or not.

Parking sensors are disabled when you plug in the 7-pin electrical connector, as are other "coding changes." Those changes are all activated by the 7 pin, so no change for a bike rack - unless you have a lighted one that plugs in.

Resale might be affected without a tow package.

PhilipHanser

Really interested in this topic. I did a lot of research into this a couple of years ago when we were buying our GLS (admittedly not a GLE). It was really hard to get conclusive answers (even direct from Mercedes), but what they advised was that if the hitch is factory fitted, you get option 557 and that increases your downforce rating to 280kg. If you retrofit the hitch (even with a genuine MB hitch) you don’t have 557 and have a max downforce rating of 140kg.

Interesting they still state a 3500kg tow rating with either option …. but you’d be bold to tow 3500kg with only 140kg tongue weight.

What exactly is included in 557 I could not find out with any certainty, but one dealer advised that heavier duty rear air bags are included.

i would be genuinely interested to hear what others have found - either supporting or disproving what I was told.