Towing trailer
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Montreal
GLE53 2022
Towing trailer
Hello folks,
Anyone uses a GLE53 with air suspension to tow a trailer?
I have a travel trailer and have been using weight distribution bars even prior to my current GLE53.
I adjusted the bars nicely and mildly tight. After an hour of driving, the bars got loosened. Visually, it seems to me that the back of the car slightly went up.
Is it possible that the height of the air suspension can adjust itself based on some factors?
Thanks for your insights.
Anyone uses a GLE53 with air suspension to tow a trailer?
I have a travel trailer and have been using weight distribution bars even prior to my current GLE53.
I adjusted the bars nicely and mildly tight. After an hour of driving, the bars got loosened. Visually, it seems to me that the back of the car slightly went up.
Is it possible that the height of the air suspension can adjust itself based on some factors?
Thanks for your insights.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 176
From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
Hello folks,
Anyone uses a GLE53 with air suspension to tow a trailer?
I have a travel trailer and have been using weight distribution bars even prior to my current GLE53.
I adjusted the bars nicely and mildly tight. After an hour of driving, the bars got loosened. Visually, it seems to me that the back of the car slightly went up.
Is it possible that the height of the air suspension can adjust itself based on some factors?
Thanks for your insights.
Anyone uses a GLE53 with air suspension to tow a trailer?
I have a travel trailer and have been using weight distribution bars even prior to my current GLE53.
I adjusted the bars nicely and mildly tight. After an hour of driving, the bars got loosened. Visually, it seems to me that the back of the car slightly went up.
Is it possible that the height of the air suspension can adjust itself based on some factors?
Thanks for your insights.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 10
From: Los Angeles California
2022 Amg Gle 53 Couoe
Hello folks,
Anyone uses a GLE53 with air suspension to tow a trailer?
I have a travel trailer and have been using weight distribution bars even prior to my current GLE53.
I adjusted the bars nicely and mildly tight. After an hour of driving, the bars got loosened. Visually, it seems to me that the back of the car slightly went up.
Is it possible that the height of the air suspension can adjust itself based on some factors?
Thanks for your insights.
Anyone uses a GLE53 with air suspension to tow a trailer?
I have a travel trailer and have been using weight distribution bars even prior to my current GLE53.
I adjusted the bars nicely and mildly tight. After an hour of driving, the bars got loosened. Visually, it seems to me that the back of the car slightly went up.
Is it possible that the height of the air suspension can adjust itself based on some factors?
Thanks for your insights.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Montreal
GLE53 2022
Does your GLE recognize the trailer is connected? If not you may experience the lowering of the vehicle at speed or setting the drive mode to sport etc. will change the height. Make sure you set the weight distribution bars with the GLE at normal height and with the engine running.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Montreal
GLE53 2022
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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
You are correct, you need to disable the air suspension in order to set up the hitch properly.
My source, Can-Am RV in Ontario Canada, said to turn off the ignition and leave the door open.
Then perform your adjustments on your 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
Select your weight to distribution bar strength, to match that combined weight.
There is a diagram on the Mercedes hitch that shows capacities along with a diagram for ball placement in relation to the hitch.
And there is a payload sticker on your driver's door post, that shows your maximum payload and Axle gross weight ratings (GAWR). Payload is probably your limiting factor, and includes not only passenger and cargo, but that tongue weight and hitch weight is part of payload.
On our RV, the tongue weight is 740 lbs, and hitch weighs 90#. So I run 850 lb bars.
Sway control is most important. Friction sway control is the most effective, and I run a pair of cheap $40 friction sway bars which IMO are the most effective.
Always make sure your tongue weight is at least 10 - 12% of your total trailer weight, to discourage trailer sway.
Last edited by mikapen; May 20, 2022 at 10:34 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Montreal
GLE53 2022
The need for a weight distribution hitch doesn't change, whether you have air suspension or not. The difference is the setup, not the need.
You are correct, you need to disable the air suspension in order to set up the hitch properly.
My source, Can-Am RV in Ontario Canada, said to turn off the ignition and leave the door open.
Then perform your adjustments on your setup.
You are correct, you need to disable the air suspension in order to set up the hitch properly.
My source, Can-Am RV in Ontario Canada, said to turn off the ignition and leave the door open.
Then perform your adjustments on your setup.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Montreal
GLE53 2022
The general rule for selecting weight distribution capacity, is to know your tongue weight and the weight of your entire hitch assembly.
Select your weight to distribution bar strength, to match that combined weight.
There is a diagram on the Mercedes hitch that shows capacities along with a diagram for ball placement in relation to the hitch.
And there is a payload sticker on your driver's door post, that shows your maximum payload and Axle gross weight ratings (GAWR). Payload is probably your limiting factor, and includes not only passenger and cargo, but that tongue weight and hitch weight is part of payload.
On our RV, the tongue weight is 740 lbs, and hitch weighs 90#. So I run 850 lb bars.
Sway control is most important. Friction sway control is the most effective, and I run a pair of cheap $40 friction sway bars which IMO are the most effective.
Always make sure your tongue weight is at least 10 - 12% of your total trailer weight, to discourage trailer sway.
Select your weight to distribution bar strength, to match that combined weight.
There is a diagram on the Mercedes hitch that shows capacities along with a diagram for ball placement in relation to the hitch.
And there is a payload sticker on your driver's door post, that shows your maximum payload and Axle gross weight ratings (GAWR). Payload is probably your limiting factor, and includes not only passenger and cargo, but that tongue weight and hitch weight is part of payload.
On our RV, the tongue weight is 740 lbs, and hitch weighs 90#. So I run 850 lb bars.
Sway control is most important. Friction sway control is the most effective, and I run a pair of cheap $40 friction sway bars which IMO are the most effective.
Always make sure your tongue weight is at least 10 - 12% of your total trailer weight, to discourage trailer sway.
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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
There are so many things that the car can do, to change its automatic leveling. Some are of these are with the ignition off, and some seem to sense the presence of a key.
So the best way immobilize the suspension on a new model Mercedes, my RV dealer says, is to turn the ignition off, and leave the door ajar.
I haven't set up my new 53 yet, or any other air suspended tow vehicle for that matter. But the guidance is the same from every thing I have read, regarding disabling a self leveling suspension.
Once your tow vehicle senses a seven pin is plugged in, I understand that it fixes the height at the "comfort" height, to keep the trailer leveling consistent.
Please verify that towing height, but once you have done that then you can choose your ball mount rise or drop.
And then begin setting up your weight distribution tensions.
Once you have your WDH adjusted and you turn on your car, your air suspension will take over and adjust for different loading and passengers, but the weight transfer from the WDH will remain constant, which is what you want.
Last edited by mikapen; May 24, 2022 at 06:51 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,001
Likes: 2,196
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I'm towing the same trailer that I used to tow with a GLE450 with spring suspension. And also using the same weight distribution bars I used with the GLE450, which worked fine. And I did a trip 3 days ago with no weight distribution bar nor sway bar and the driving felt good, I couldn't even make the difference with or without the bars. But I still like using the weight distribution bars just to equalize the weight on the front and back axle.
You may have lucked out and have a sufficient percentage of the full trailer weight on the tongue (10 to 12%), which helps reduce sway tendencies.
But if you change your loading, that might be when you really need more weight transfer to be safe.
What's the total weight of your trailer and its tongue weight?
If it's under say 3500 lb you might get by with careful loading and simple sway control.
Above that and I'd want to size my bars correctly and do a full setup, starting from scratch with the correct ball height.
Good luck.
