GEMINIDAN

I placed my order last week, and asked dealer if they made "bicycle" racks for the GLK, he suggested having the tow bar installed and having the bike rack that fits in the receiver purchased, also said it is a standoff so it will not scratch the body... has anyone else purchased the rear tow hitch????Dan

NYCGLK

yea I have it, haven't used it yet. I think it's nice to have since it can be used for many thing (bike/ski rack, uhall etc.) It's very well made.

carlnorum

My GLK hasn't been built yet, but I did order the tow hitch. It's class II, 1 1/4" receiver, I'm told.

Yakima makes hitch mount racks up to 5-bike capacity for 1 1/4" hitch size. I don't know about Thule, but I'm sure it's similar.

Donutboy

I have a tow hitch; I've towed two jet skis with it

pho75

How much did you pay for the hitch? I asked a local dealer and this is what they said:

"Good Afternoon, I am writing in response to your request for information on adding a trailer hitch to your GLK350.
The hitch is $1080.00 plus tax; you also need to upgrade the fan on the engine which is priced at $535.00 plus tax.
The labor to install the hitch and fan would be $750.00 we do not stock the needed parts but could special order them and have them here in one or two days."


This would be a $2000+ bike rack for me.

GEMINIDAN

I just looked at the invoice and the trailer hitch from the factory was $ 540.00, but the dealer did say if I was to install after I got the car it would be around $1500.00.

4everblue

I was told the same thing back in November when I picked up my GLK. The dealer said it was a painful process to install one after and cost considerably more.

polarbexar

I put a hitch on my C class for bikes last year. It wasn't hard and works great. they now have one for the GLK. Looks like an easy install.

http://www.thehitchstore.com/class-i...ch-p-2136.html

polarbexar

$300 and two hours of your time...

EnigmaAW

most everyone knows how i feel about hitches on glk's. but here's one listed on ebay.....http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...Q5fAccessories

NYCGLK

yea it's only $540 when you order cuz they add it on at the factory. I looked at how the whole thing is assembled, and yeah that'd a lot of labor to added afterwards. There is also wiring, and extra fan (didn't know about this one).

The aftermarket can be solution but it would be and ugly one.

But if we are talking just about bike racks, can always use one on the roof, or I think there are some that don't require hitch.

pho75

It wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't mechanically inept. What about the fan on the engine they are talking about in my earlier post?

polarbexar

If all you're hauling is a couple of bikes on a rack then you won't need an auxillary fan, you won't be hooking up any lights, and unless you're entering a car show do what you want. I looked at the instructions for this hitch and it looks easier than the one I put on my C. The roof racks are too cumbersome ( in my opinion ) and there is the potential to drive into low hang obsticles. I tend to haul a lot of bikes too. I'm sure that if you order from Curt ( or the hitch store ) they would be able to direct you to an autorized installer.

JT01

I am looking into getting a hitch and the dealership quoted me $2,100 CDN... . Effin crooks!

I called a reputable hitch place and they told me the hitch plus install would cost $350... the catch is that because it's a MB, they won't touch the electrical. I called another place and same thing. So I then call the dealer back and they are estimating 2-3hrs labor for the electrical and will get back to me on the price of the electrical parts (some module or something). No mention of a fan either.

I will keep you posted but I think I will get the hitch installed at the hitch place and go to the competing MB dealership to get the wiring and programming done there instead...

Dreamka

I was told that there is no required any extra fan for towing.
Our GLK has already power for towing maximum 3500lb.

It means that Our GLK has already had its towing potential since it has been manufactured from MB german factory.

So, Never been required any extra fan upto 3500 lb.

NYCGLK

I don't think it about requirement. It seems some are saying that towing option from MB comes with extra fan for cooling purposes. It does not affect the towing ability but rather likeliness of car overheating when towing. If you read the manual towing can result in coolant overheating. I have the towing option and had no idea there is some sort of extra fan out there.

JT01

I just got an aftermarket hitch and electrical harness/module installed at a reputable hitch place for $600 CDN all in. Same price as the option.

My dealership had quoted me $2,100 and the other MB dealership in the city quoted $3,200!!! FOR AN EFFIN HITCH!!
I always knew the dealers ripped you off but not only did both dealerships over quote, they were $1,100 apart!!! WTF!!

JT01

So here are some pics...

2 with the aftermarket hitch, 2 of the hitch with the draw in, and the last one with the new TAB hitched up. Can't wait for warmer weather...

RedRover

Looks good, And good price, too! That Tab is neat.......I thought they had gone away.......as in out of production.......

JT01

Thanks! and you are right... mine is a 2010 model but they stopped production this last summer. There are still a few new ones for sale out there but once they are gone that's it (well, in North America anyway... they are still produced and sold in Europe).

pho75

Very nice, I'm jealous... of the hitch... not bumblebee.

NYCGLK

When you are not using the hitch what do you put there. Do you use a hitch cover? I left mine as it is for now, but wanted to know what kind of hitch covers people might have tried on their GLK's. Pics are appreaciated.

Ideally I'd like long bar acting as bumper guard.

JT01

I just leave it as is... with the draw bar out. The plugs always look cheap IMO and simply draw your eye down to the hitch...

GLKster

JT01......

Did you install a 1 1/4" or 2" hitch ?

JT01

2"