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Camper towing with my GLE 350

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Old 01-26-2023, 09:57 AM
  #151  
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2016 GLE 350 4Matic, 2019 GLS 450 4Matic
Originally Posted by kajtek1
I think you missed "DO NOT exceed vehicle ratings" at the bottom.
Hitch can be installed on several different vehicles, so it can be much stronger, than vehicle it is mounted on.
All good, Max. stands for Maximum that ZeroAGL was asking about and the decal shown is just one source, like tire pressure on the fuel door decal. The V5, I'm told, is the designation that this is a Class 5 that exceeds the vehicle rating and give the maximum vehicle tow limits. Dealers have told me they considered it even cost-prohibitive to add on this hitch with all the systems such as blind spot monitoring and trailer stability control that come the the 550 trailer hitch option code.
Old 11-16-2023, 10:06 AM
  #152  
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2017 GLE 350
Towing with Andersen W/D Hitch

Long time guest reader, first time poster.

I know this is an old thread, but it’s been so helpful and informative that I had to post my appreciation of everyone’s input on towing with a GLE 350. Thank you all!

I had a 5x12 single axle that wasn’t very heavy and the GLE pulled it ok-ish. Lots of bounce & bucking and stopping was a chore.

I now just bought a 7x18 V-nose dual axle with electric brakes. Following the advice of you all, I hooked up the P3 Brake Controller and added an Andersen W/D hitch setup. I tell you what, that combination make pulling this new trailer SOOOOO much better than the old 5x12 I had. No bouncing/bucking and the adjustable brake gain makes it feel like there’s nothing back there when stopping.

Everyone was giving me crap for pulling a trailer like this with a Mercedes, until they rode with me and found it handles a trailer better than their trucks do. I just laughed at their reactions as they are on the mentality that truck are the only thing that can pull trailers…

Anyways, thanks everyone for the tips and information which created such a great setup and I look forward to many miles of towing!




Old 11-16-2023, 11:29 AM
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Great feedback and glad its working for you.
Can you share the trailer weight you are pulling and hitch weight?
Thanks!
Old 11-16-2023, 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by ZeroAGL
Great feedback and glad its working for you.
Can you share the trailer weight you are pulling and hitch weight?
Thanks!
Yeah no problem. The trailer is around 4200lb loaded and has a tongue weight around 450lb.
Old 11-17-2023, 04:27 PM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Do you really need WD bars on GLE?
I did tow a lot with older W163 and now with W166 and never needed them.
Also did you hook up brake controller? How did you find harness?
Old 11-17-2023, 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
Do you really need WD bars on GLE?
I did tow a lot with older W163 and now with W166 and never needed them.
Also did you hook up brake controller? How did you find harness?
Yeah, the tongue weight was over 600lb. So, with the limit of 600lb on the factory hitch, I just opted to use the WD hitch which doesn’t use traditional bars, it uses a chain setup that’s much better.

I found the brake controller adaptor for the P3 on Amazon and plugged it into the factory harness that’s tucked up under the knee panel on the drivers side. If you have the factory hitch installed, you’ll see a green plug tucked up there.
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Old 11-20-2023, 08:47 AM
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Brake Controller Thread

Originally Posted by kajtek1
... Also did you hook up brake controller? How did you find harness?
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...oller-fyi.html
Old 11-21-2023, 09:51 AM
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Huh, buying a trailer is actually my strong desire. But i imagine how many problem will i have with all of these stuff... You know what i have found useful for my rv? awning shade screen cause you know especially when we talk about camping in summer with sn shining bright, this thing is useful enough to boost your comfort at your rv while resting on the highest mark possible. I guess it is a good upgrade for my next summer

Last edited by Haken; 11-25-2023 at 11:47 AM.
Old 11-21-2023, 11:16 AM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I read that.
Unfrtunatelly most of the links in the thread don't work anymore.
I think buying pegs and wire at dealer and assembling the harness is still valid, but I'd rather buy something ready to use.
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Old 11-21-2023, 11:17 AM
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Originally Posted by Haken
Huh, buying a trailer is actually my strong desire. But i imagine how many problem will i have with all of these stuff...
What kind of trailer?
Trailers below 1500lb don't need brakes, what simplify lot of the issues.

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