Towing Airstream!
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2020
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Audi Q5 TDI & looking at GLE 4 Matic
Towing Airstream!
Has anyone towed an Airstream or a Travel Trailer and did it work?
Debating between a Audi Q8, Mercedes Benz 53 or Coupe 53, Porsche Cayenne to tow a 23’ Airstream. Would love to hear about your experience!
Debating between a Audi Q8, Mercedes Benz 53 or Coupe 53, Porsche Cayenne to tow a 23’ Airstream. Would love to hear about your experience!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
The W166 which you are asking about, is used by many owners to tow. The W166 is a solid towing platform. Take note in the owner's manual of the max tow rating (in the neighborhood of 7,000 lbs), and familiarize yourself with weight distributing hitches. There are many posts in the W166 section on this question. The short answer is, "Yes.".
Member
Joined: Dec 2017
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GLE 63S
make sure you really understand towing before you actually start towing. It may save your life.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,671
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
@Imdakine1 Your owner's manual is the source for information on towing. Either look in your glovebox, or MBUSA has them online.
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From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 48
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From: Los Angeles California
2022 Amg Gle 53 Couoe
Thanks, now if we get to travel again outside the province I will get to really use it. I have the Airmatic only no E-ABC. Tongue weight can be a challenge and I use a weight distributing hitch. I do measure it and the tow vehicle/trailer combination to ensure the axle loads are not exceeded. The 25FB Airstreams can be heavy on the tongue weight so I relocated some things from the front. The batteries are now over the axle inside, the spare tire relocated under the belly behind the axles and the propane tanks reduced from 2X30LB to 2X20LB.
I believe the suspension was a bit too bouncy, From what the customer stated.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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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
if you cannot turn off your air suspension I would never recommend a weight distribution hitch. I believe there are sway bars that you could utilize with air suspension. I actually sell Airstreams. And we never advise anyone that cannot completely turn off their air suspension to utilize a weight distribution hitch. We utilize the equalizer sway bar/weight distribution hitch at my dealership. I had a customer purchase a 27 foot airstream from me. He had a brand new GLS550 I believe.
I believe the suspension was a bit too bouncy, From what the customer stated.
I believe the suspension was a bit too bouncy, From what the customer stated.
Air suspensions can level the tow vehicle, but it does NOT restore the steering and braking from the front end, which is the (separate) function of the WDH.
You'll need a WDH for any trailer over 3,000lbs or so, if you want safety and good handling, especially in emergency maneuvers.
The GLS550 was from another generation of GLS, and the 167 is much stronger.
My hitch source is Can-Am RV in London, ON, same as @marchgroupinc, and they say to turn off the ignition and open the door to disable the self-leveling, so you can do a proper WDH setup.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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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
I've also towed with a Cayenne - also stellar.
I'll take a stout Euro SUV over a pickup truck any day; they are better tow vehicles. And with the V167 chassis, I expect the new models to be a further improvement. Pickups still have WW1 suspensions, you have to go to a 1 Ton to approach the stopping power of a base GLE, and they are just too long to navigate cramped RV parks.
I go to the scales to verify I haven't overloaded any axles. Payload is the limiting factor. I actually cheat a bit and exceed the payload by a couple hundred pounds, but I'm still under the GLE's GVWR, and (more importantly to me) I stay under each axles GAWR but a comfortable amount.
Also pay attention to overloading the Airstream. The trailering forums I'm on (Lance & Airstream) are littered with posts about how many are surprised at how much overweight they have gotten.
Get a good WDH, pay attention to loading and setup, and you'll have among the best towing experiences you can have.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 48
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From: Los Angeles California
2022 Amg Gle 53 Couoe
I disagree with your statement about not using a WDH (weight distributing hitch) with air suspensions. Unless you mean that the air suspension should be disabled while setting up the WDH, which is the correct way to set up the WDH. Unfortunately, most trailer stores don't know how to set up a WDH correctly.
Air suspensions can level the tow vehicle, but it does NOT restore the steering and braking from the front end, which is the (separate) function of the WDH.
You'll need a WDH for any trailer over 3,000lbs or so, if you want safety and good handling, especially in emergency maneuvers.
The GLS550 was from another generation of GLS, and the 167 is much stronger.
My hitch source is Can-Am RV in London, ON, same as @marchgroupinc, and they say to turn off the ignition and open the door to disable the self-leveling, so you can do a proper WDH setup.
Air suspensions can level the tow vehicle, but it does NOT restore the steering and braking from the front end, which is the (separate) function of the WDH.
You'll need a WDH for any trailer over 3,000lbs or so, if you want safety and good handling, especially in emergency maneuvers.
The GLS550 was from another generation of GLS, and the 167 is much stronger.
My hitch source is Can-Am RV in London, ON, same as @marchgroupinc, and they say to turn off the ignition and open the door to disable the self-leveling, so you can do a proper WDH setup.
Happy trails
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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
The only difference is the setup procedure. You may have to read the owner's manual or call a knowledgeable shop to learn how to disable the auto leveling, but it's mandatory for the correct setup.
In my neck of the woods, where flat-landers enter the Rocky Mountains for their first taste of mountain twisties, I see piles of kindling in many places. They were former RVs, and it's a 90% chance they aren't using a WDH. And I have been run off the road by some of those trucks, front wheels in the air, trying to make that corner but failing. No WDH. Yes, "in the air."
Further, you can see the look of terror on the passengers faces, the White knuckle anxiety of the driver, and the inability to stay within the lane. It's no fun as well as dangerous.
So you get these rigs with no WDH, slowing down to 20 under the posted speed just to make the turn, holding up a dozen cars, racing at full throttle to the next corner so nobody can pass, jamming on the brakes so they can actually get around that corner. A very common sight unfortunately.
I place the blame on the trailer stores that are selling trailers to newbies. They should know these things.
I agree that if your WDH doesn't have integrated sway control, you should add one or two sway bars. I use two for my rig.
Find a way to disable the auto leveling and put on a weight distribution hitch, then spend good amount of time adjusting it correctly. Thank you.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 139
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From: Colorado Mountains & Hilton Head Island
2022 GLE450, 2024 RAM 1500 Limited, 2014 E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic Wagon (sold), 2021 GLE63S AMG (sold)
Does anyone know how to disable the air suspension auto leveling on a 2021 GLE63S? I'm not finding it in the owner's manual.
Thanks.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,001
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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 I understand it, plugging in the 7 pin will activate all the towing modes, including a fixed ride height at the comfort setting. (I haven't towed with my 167 yet.)
So, begin at the comfort setting with the trailer unhitched, ignition off and a door open. Then do your setup. I'll probably crack both front doors to make sure there isn't a weight imbalance.
I also use Can-Am's setup instructions, which do not involve scales. I target equal depression at all corners of the tow vehicle, and it works exceptionally well.
