Electric brake controller
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
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From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
Electric brake controller
I have a new 2012 GLK-350 4-matic with factory tow package. Anyone have any idea where the electric brake controller (Tekonsha) might plug in? I am hoping to find a plug under the dash somewhere.
Thanks,
3.5L
Thanks,
3.5L
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
I can't help with the brake controller connection. You might ask the folks in the M-Class forums.
I am still steamed about the factory hitch. Did your hitch arrive ready to work? Or did you have to buy the hitch ball, pin & electrical connector? I still think mine was forgotten at the factory.
I am going to call MBUSA once more and ask them to rectify the omission of critical parts of the hitch. I will also bring up the question of plugging in a brake controller. You might do the same. If enough of us make noise, they might realize that they should offer a complete towing solution.
Good luck!
ps: Nice taste in GLK color and accessories!
Wayne
I am still steamed about the factory hitch. Did your hitch arrive ready to work? Or did you have to buy the hitch ball, pin & electrical connector? I still think mine was forgotten at the factory.
I am going to call MBUSA once more and ask them to rectify the omission of critical parts of the hitch. I will also bring up the question of plugging in a brake controller. You might do the same. If enough of us make noise, they might realize that they should offer a complete towing solution.
Good luck!
ps: Nice taste in GLK color and accessories!
Wayne
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
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From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
Well, our GLK arrived with the hitch and built-in electrical socket. I did not expect to get a ball, ball-mount or electrical plug for my trailer.
I ordered a new Explorer in 2002 with towing option and it arrived the same way, so my guess is this is standard procedure.
There are different types of ball mounts (drop varies widely) and ball diameters, so if your vehicle came with those items there would be a pretty good chance it wouldn't be the right fit for your particular trailer. You'd probably end up buying a ball-mount with the correct drop anyway. And I think the common ball diameters are 1 7/8" and 2". They are not interchangeable.
3.5L
I ordered a new Explorer in 2002 with towing option and it arrived the same way, so my guess is this is standard procedure.
There are different types of ball mounts (drop varies widely) and ball diameters, so if your vehicle came with those items there would be a pretty good chance it wouldn't be the right fit for your particular trailer. You'd probably end up buying a ball-mount with the correct drop anyway. And I think the common ball diameters are 1 7/8" and 2". They are not interchangeable.
3.5L
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
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From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
I guess I don't understand what you mean by "complete." Do you mean that in addition to the hitch and electrical socket, you also got a ball-mount (sometimes called a draw bar) and a ball?
If so, what was the diameter of the included ball and what was the drop on the draw bar? Did these items fit your trailer, or did you have get a different drop and different diameter ball?
With so many variables, I'm puzzled how the factory could include a ball and draw bar that would work with just any trailer.
3.5L
If so, what was the diameter of the included ball and what was the drop on the draw bar? Did these items fit your trailer, or did you have get a different drop and different diameter ball?
With so many variables, I'm puzzled how the factory could include a ball and draw bar that would work with just any trailer.
3.5L
Thread Starter
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From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
Here's just a few examples of the many variations in drawbars. It is important to select the correct lift or drop to match your particular trailer. You want the trailer to be level when hooked up:
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Tromsø, 69° 41' N
2010 GLK 220CDI 4M BlueEFFICIENCY
On the Tekonsha WEB page, 2-Plug adapter - Proportional Wiring Adapter - , there is a check feature with regard to “Plugs into OEM harness under dash” vs. vehicle, and Mercedes is not listed.
So I don’t think you’ll find an OEM connector for the electric brake controller on your GLK either.
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2011 BT GL,GLK,JEEP GC 70th ann.RAM5500,2007 HD Rd Kng,2013 110ann.CVO ultra
just ordered two new glk oil burners and did not get 1 1/4 factory tow because could not find 3500 lb ball to fit the small hole and have a large collection of 2in.rcvr's already.Now it looks like brake controller is a problem. assumed it would be no problem as our bluetech GL plugged in.if anyone knows for sure we cannot use brakes let me know,need to go shopping for something that will tow I NEVER tow without brakes and have never got the tongue and ball with any vehicle.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 23
From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
just ordered two new glk oil burners and did not get 1 1/4 factory tow because could not find 3500 lb ball to fit the small hole and have a large collection of 2in.rcvr's already.Now it looks like brake controller is a problem. assumed it would be no problem as our bluetech GL plugged in.if anyone knows for sure we cannot use brakes let me know,need to go shopping for something that will tow I NEVER tow without brakes and have never got the tongue and ball with any vehicle.
There is a solution, however, and that is to simply buy a Prodigy RF Wireless electronic controller. It's basically plug-and-play. The factory socket at the hitch will accomodate the system and supply adequate power to the Prodigy to activate electric trailer brakes, without any modifications. The controller bolts on your trailer hitch and simply plugs into the socket at the car hitch. The trailer cable socket then plugs into the Prodigy unit. Up front, the wireless unit plugs into your cigarette lighter socket. Its purpose is to allow you to manually apply trailer brakes, if need be. However, the wireless controller does not need to be turned on, plugged in, or even present for the Prodigy unit on the trailer to function.
Hope this helps.
-3.5L
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2011 BT GL,GLK,JEEP GC 70th ann.RAM5500,2007 HD Rd Kng,2013 110ann.CVO ultra
see if i'm gettin it. in the cabin is a wireless sending unit to a reciever on the trailer to only manually operate the brakes? the reciever on the hitch is simply 'inline' between the trailer plug and the light plug on the hitch? if that is rite ,where r the brakes gettin power from?
has potential,thanx
has potential,thanx
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 23
From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
see if i'm gettin it. in the cabin is a wireless sending unit to a reciever on the trailer to only manually operate the brakes? the reciever on the hitch is simply 'inline' between the trailer plug and the light plug on the hitch? if that is rite ,where r the brakes gettin power from?
has potential,thanx
has potential,thanx
The Prodigy gets its power from the standard, 7-pin Bargman socket at the trailer hitch on the vehicle (also, all of the traditional turn signal and lighting stuff). I checked it out before I purchased my Prodigy and the 12 volts at the Bargman socket is rated at 20 amps and is adequate for the electric brakes typically installed on the smaller trailers (3500 lbs. or less) that the GLK can legally and safely tow.
-3.5L
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2011 BT GL,GLK,JEEP GC 70th ann.RAM5500,2007 HD Rd Kng,2013 110ann.CVO ultra
our glk is in az liked it so much we ordered two for home which r not here yet so cannot go look, is the oem plug a 7 pin or did you put the bargman on? is your hitch oem? you recommend the controller now that you have used it ? too bad manual only
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 23
From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
-3.5L
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From: Campbell, CA (San Francisco Bay Area)
2013 GLK250, 2022 Tesla MYLR, 1997 Correct Craft Ski Nautique
I have not yet seen the 2013 X204 we just purchased. It comes with a tow hitch which is supposedly factory-installed (class II). However, it was never used, and the person selling the car looked underneath and didn't see any plug. I'm hoping it's there, otherwise I will have to tap into wires, etc. which I don't want to do. Anyone have a picture where their harness/plug is? And has anyone installed a 3rd party wire harness? I need the 7 pin. I have a boat with surge brakes, but need the reverse on the back up brake lock out solenoid.
Thanks,
Gordon
Thanks,
Gordon
