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I’m not usually embarrassed to ask a question, but this might be an embarrassing question. I’m thinking about buying a 2017 GLE 350 with factory tow pkg to pull a trailer. Trailer plus load is about 2800 lbs. This thread, and a couple others on this forum, have been extremely informative. Thank you to all the contributors.
A couple of entries have said that a controller is required on a GLE, even when it has a factory to package, if you want to use the brakes on a braked trailer. I’m asking for confirmation on this. Without a controller, like the P3, the GLE’s towing features will not be able to engage/control the trailer’s brakes. Period.
Thanks in advance.
Definitely the controller is required in addition to the towing package.
I'm not sure if you're actually required by law in all states to have braking on a trailer under 3000 pounds, but I have a trailer that is exactly the same dry weight as yours, and I'm very happy to have the trailer braking. The GLS performs REALLY well with that size trailer, I think you'll be pleased.
The installation was a bit of a pain, and had to track down the correct connection adapter, but I think if you read the various installation comments above it'll go pretty quick.
Happy trails!
I’m not usually embarrassed to ask a question, but this might be an embarrassing question. I’m thinking about buying a 2017 GLE 350 with factory tow pkg to pull a trailer. Trailer plus load is about 2800 lbs. This thread, and a couple others on this forum, have been extremely informative. Thank you to all the contributors.
A couple of entries have said that a controller is required on a GLE, even when it has a factory to package, if you want to use the brakes on a braked trailer. I’m asking for confirmation on this. Without a controller, like the P3, the GLE’s towing features will not be able to engage/control the trailer’s brakes. Period.
Thanks in advance.
Yes, the 2017 GLE 350 is an excellent towing machine. I tow a 3,500 boat/trailer and the vehicle is excellent. No weight distributing hitch, no electric brakes are needed for this amount of weight. I have no hesitation or equivocation about saying this.
Electric brakes will likely come installed on whatever equipment you are towing. For example a recreational vehicle. A third party electric brake controller is needed to operate electric trailer brakes. Hydraulic surge brakes are more common on heavy boat trailers. No third party controller is needed for hydraulic surge brakes.
Thank you thank you thank you. This forum has been a great source of info. You are a terrific community.
Sorry I just noticed that you were talking about the 2017 GLE not the 2017 GLS. So I can't say from direct experience that the GLE doesn't have a brake controller, but the GLS towing package definitely didn't.
Sorry I just noticed that you were talking about the 2017 GLE not the 2017 GLS. So I can't say from direct experience that the GLE doesn't have a brake controller, but the GLS towing package definitely didn't.
No problem...I’m confident the the same is true for GLE. Thanks.
I’m not usually embarrassed to ask a question, but this might be an embarrassing question. I’m thinking about buying a 2017 GLE 350 with factory tow pkg to pull a trailer. Trailer plus load is about 2800 lbs. This thread, and a couple others on this forum, have been extremely informative. Thank you to all the contributors.
A couple of entries have said that a controller is required on a GLE, even when it has a factory to package, if you want to use the brakes on a braked trailer. I’m asking for confirmation on this. Without a controller, like the P3, the GLE’s towing features will not be able to engage/control the trailer’s brakes. Period.
Thanks in advance.
I use the Tekonsha P3 for controlling the electric brakes on our Grey Wolf camper at close to 5300 lbs loaded. With the Tekonsha pigtail connector plugging into the MB harness, it’s easy to control electric trailer brakes.
As mentioned, without a brake control either not needed or required, then you’re only stopping with vehicle brakes.
Do you have a part number (name, where you got it) for this connector? I'm looking at a square green connector at the car side and need a to connect the brake controller, which requires a 4 pin flat piece.
Originally Posted by GLE John
I use the Tekonsha P3 for controlling the electric brakes on our Grey Wolf camper at close to 5300 lbs loaded. With the Tekonsha pigtail connector plugging into the MB harness, it’s easy to control electric trailer brakes.
As mentioned, without a brake control either not needed or required, then you’re only stopping with vehicle brakes.
Which connection adapter ended up working for you? I've followed the posts, I didn't see a simple connection piece. Just need something from the green connector, which I found thanks to the helpful comments on this thread to the flat four pin in my tekonsha.
QUOTE=Drh02909;8207729]Definitely the controller is required in addition to the towing package.
I'm not sure if you're actually required by law in all states to have braking on a trailer under 3000 pounds, but I have a trailer that is exactly the same dry weight as yours, and I'm very happy to have the trailer braking. The GLS performs REALLY well with that size trailer, I think you'll be pleased.
The installation was a bit of a pain, and had to track down the correct connection adapter, but I think if you read the various installation comments above it'll go pretty quick.
Happy trails![/QUOTE]
Which connection adapter ended up working for you? I've followed the posts, I didn't see a simple connection piece. Just need something from the green connector, which I found thanks to the helpful comments on this thread to the flat four pin in my tekonsha.
QUOTE=Drh02909;8207729]Definitely the controller is required in addition to the towing package.
I'm not sure if you're actually required by law in all states to have braking on a trailer under 3000 pounds, but I have a trailer that is exactly the same dry weight as yours, and I'm very happy to have the trailer braking. The GLS performs REALLY well with that size trailer, I think you'll be pleased.
The installation was a bit of a pain, and had to track down the correct connection adapter, but I think if you read the various installation comments above it'll go pretty quick.
Happy trails!
[/QUOTE]
Hi
Just looked for you, the tag on the cable is 3066-P. My car is a 2017 GLS 450 . If I remember right the green to green connection was a VERY tight fit.
Good luck, hope it works out!
Hi
Just looked for you, the tag on the cable is 3066-P. My car is a 2017 GLS 450 . If I remember right the green to green connection was a VERY tight fit.
Good luck, hope it works out![/QUOTE]
THANK YOU so much!!! I don't know why Amazon... and even the Tekononsha website says that connector won't work on the MB - as it LOOKS like it will work no problem. I will grab the 3066-P connector!
Hi
Just looked for you, the tag on the cable is 3066-P. My car is a 2017 GLS 450 . If I remember right the green to green connection was a VERY tight fit.
Good luck, hope it works out!
THANK YOU so much!!! I don't know why Amazon... and even the Tekononsha website says that connector won't work on the MB - as it LOOKS like it will work no problem. I will grab the 3066-P connector![/QUOTE]
Contact etrailer.com. I used the 3066-P in my GLE350 and their website shows it fits my vehicle, but not a GLS450. Certain vehicles may not have the same green connector somewhere behind the brake pedal to connect the pigtail adapter to.
The etrailer.com website has a fit guide to confirm what fits a particular vehicle.
Last edited by SUV John; Jun 25, 2021 at 03:33 PM.
THANK YOU so much!!! I don't know why Amazon... and even the Tekononsha website says that connector won't work on the MB - as it LOOKS like it will work no problem. I will grab the 3066-P connector!
Contact etrailer.com. I used the 3066-P in my GLE350 and their website shows it fits my vehicle, but not a GLS450. Certain vehicles may not have the same green connector somewhere behind the brake pedal to connect the pigtail adapter to.
The etrailer.com website has a fit guide to confirm what fits a particular vehicle.[/QUOTE]
Right I have a gls, you I think have a GLE I don't want to steer you wrong
Contact etrailer.com. I used the 3066-P in my GLE350 and their website shows it fits my vehicle, but not a GLS450. Certain vehicles may not have the same green connector somewhere behind the brake pedal to connect the pigtail adapter to.
The etrailer.com website has a fit guide to confirm what fits a particular vehicle.
Right I have a gls, you I think have a GLE I don't want to steer you wrong[/QUOTE]
I've heard that etrailer is great but I definitely have the 3066-P and I definitely have a GLS 450
Just got GLE with trailer hitch, I opened the cover under the dashboard and only see bunch of lines on left side wall. I do not see any green connector. Any idea where I can find it? Under the dashboard and left side of the brake. Next to the wall.
Just got GLE with trailer hitch, I opened the cover under the dashboard and only see bunch of lines on left side wall. I do not see any green connector. Any idea where I can find it? Under the dashboard and left side of the brake. Next to the wall.
@GLE22User You have the latest V167 GLE. The section you have posted in is for the prior model W166 GLE. Try posting in the V167 section, this topic has come up many times.
As for plug on the car, it is tricky. The cable to the plug is attached in left upper corner in driver footwell, but about 16" of cable with the plug is simply dropped behind the padding and in my case the plug was about the center, behind the pedal, but loose cable can end anywhere.
I had to pull the padding pretty hard to find it.
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Thanks
