Hitch and max weight
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Joined: Apr 2012
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glk350
Hitch and max weight
Hello everyone,
have a glk 350 2012; with a hitch 1.25 by 1.25 receiver, max pull weight 3500 pounds...i purchased a trailer (19 feet, ultra lite prowler lynx dry weight 3150) will this be enough to pull it considering the receiver seems small, and the extra weight we will add: propane, food, etc.? will the glk survive
or do i need to change the receiver for a 2inch by 2 inch?
Thanks
Eli
have a glk 350 2012; with a hitch 1.25 by 1.25 receiver, max pull weight 3500 pounds...i purchased a trailer (19 feet, ultra lite prowler lynx dry weight 3150) will this be enough to pull it considering the receiver seems small, and the extra weight we will add: propane, food, etc.? will the glk survive
or do i need to change the receiver for a 2inch by 2 inch?
Thanks
Eli
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
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From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
The GLK is rated to tow 3500 lbs. when equipped with the factory tow package. Check the owners manual, but I think it states that the tongue weight should be somewhere between 15% and 18% of the trailer weight. Keep track of what you load into your trailer and do not exceed a maximum gross weight of 3500 lbs.
BTW. what are your intentions regarding trailer brakes?
3.5L
BTW. what are your intentions regarding trailer brakes?
3.5L
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 23
From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
Uh, where did you get that figure, Wayne? On page 159 of the Operator's Manual it clearly states the the drawbar noseweight remains between 8% and 15% of the permissible gross trailer weight. On the same page, the permissible gross trailer weight is stated to be 3500 lbs. A little math concludes that the permissible tongue weight for the GLK is 280 to 525 lbs. for a 3500 lb. trailer.
Cheers,
3.5L
Cheers,
3.5L
Last edited by 3.5L; Jun 19, 2012 at 10:35 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 898
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From: Woodstock, IL
His 2019 RAM Cummins Turbo Diesel Laramie; Her's 2007 ML320 CDI P3; Mine BMW R1200R
Look under the hitch itself. There is a Westfalia manufacture sticker that tells you the exact specs. It is pretty low on the GLK if I recall. I am not near her's now to say what it is. That hitch is really for things like bikes, jet skies or a snowmobile, not campers.
elitehak, by time you load the camper and put everyone and the dog in the GLK, you will be overloading something.
I would say change to a bigger tow vehicle if you really want to go RV camping.
elitehak, by time you load the camper and put everyone and the dog in the GLK, you will be overloading something.
I would say change to a bigger tow vehicle if you really want to go RV camping.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 23
From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
Look under the hitch itself. There is a Westfalia manufacture sticker that tells you the exact specs. It is pretty low on the GLK if I recall. I am not near her's now to say what it is. That hitch is really for things like bikes, jet skies or a snowmobile, not campers.
elitehak, by time you load the camper and put everyone and the dog in the GLK, you will be overloading something.
I would say change to a bigger tow vehicle if you really want to go RV camping.
elitehak, by time you load the camper and put everyone and the dog in the GLK, you will be overloading something.
I would say change to a bigger tow vehicle if you really want to go RV camping.
I just now crawled under our GLK with a flashlight and located the sticker. The maximum allowable tongue weight is 280 lbs. Also on the sticker are specification (restrictions) for drawbar length and lift or drop.
I'm planning to tow a Palomino Tent-trailer with our GLK. The tent-trailer has an empty weight of 2275 lbs. Fully loaded, it weighs 2890 lbs. and has a tongue weight of 260 lbs. All of these figures are under the maximum figures of the car and the hitch itself. In addition, the tent-trailer is equipped with electric brakes, so I think this whole package will be road worthy.
3.5L
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
Thanks dgiturbo. I was going off of MBUSA numbers and Class II hitch specs. Both sources vary a lot. Why couldn't MBUSA have told me where to look? Those folks are criminally dangerously incompetant.
Wayne
Wayne
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Senior Member
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From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
You're right, Wayne. There certainly is conflict between the Operator's Manual and sticker on the hitch regarding tongue weights, not to mention the lack of complete wiring at the 7-pin hitch socket.
I've had to do an unusual amount of research to satisfy myself that my car/trailer combo will be safe and not over-tax the car or hitch. Once I hit the road, I don't want to find myself worrying about anything.
These forums are great!
3.5L
I've had to do an unusual amount of research to satisfy myself that my car/trailer combo will be safe and not over-tax the car or hitch. Once I hit the road, I don't want to find myself worrying about anything.
These forums are great!
3.5L
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
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From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
I picked up my Class II drawbar today. It came complete with 2" ball (installed) and pin. $29.41 out the door. I purchased the drawbar from a very reputable RV dealer/servicer in my area.
After I picked up the drawbar I walked back to the service shop and asked one of their technicians some questions about my Class II hitch. I explained the hitch restrictions (on the sticker), weight of my tent trailer, plus the tow rating of the GLK. He said I'm fine, nothing to worry about. He explained that there is a great deal of additional strength in the hitch beyond the load limits of 3500 lbs. (towed) and the 280 lbs. maximum tongue weight. This allows for a safety margin and accommodates the stresses and strains of bouncing around on less-than-perfect road surfaces, etc.
My drawbar is made from solid steel. I'm having 2.25" cut off and the pin hole re-drilled by the same RV firm to comply with the hitch specification of 6.5" maximum distance from center of pin to center of ball.
I plan to install my new Tekonsha Prodigy RF brake controller this weekend and then take a test run.
I'm not worried about this car and trailer combo anymore.
3.5L
After I picked up the drawbar I walked back to the service shop and asked one of their technicians some questions about my Class II hitch. I explained the hitch restrictions (on the sticker), weight of my tent trailer, plus the tow rating of the GLK. He said I'm fine, nothing to worry about. He explained that there is a great deal of additional strength in the hitch beyond the load limits of 3500 lbs. (towed) and the 280 lbs. maximum tongue weight. This allows for a safety margin and accommodates the stresses and strains of bouncing around on less-than-perfect road surfaces, etc.
My drawbar is made from solid steel. I'm having 2.25" cut off and the pin hole re-drilled by the same RV firm to comply with the hitch specification of 6.5" maximum distance from center of pin to center of ball.
I plan to install my new Tekonsha Prodigy RF brake controller this weekend and then take a test run.
I'm not worried about this car and trailer combo anymore.
3.5L
Last edited by 3.5L; Jun 22, 2012 at 09:00 PM.
Super Member
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From: Woodstock, IL
His 2019 RAM Cummins Turbo Diesel Laramie; Her's 2007 ML320 CDI P3; Mine BMW R1200R
Just got back in town. 3.5, sounds like you should be good to go. I am actually in the process of RV shopping now, but the model I am looking at has to be pulled with the ML. (Prime Time Tracer 230FSB)
Here is a photo of the 2012 GLK Westfalia tow sticker for anyone's future reference. Note the drop restrictions etc.
By the way, the stickers fade out after a few years, and fade faster if you try to wipe dirt away so you can read it. Ask me how I know...
Just wish I had taken a picture of my ML's Flex N gate sticker when it was brand new.
Here is a photo of the 2012 GLK Westfalia tow sticker for anyone's future reference. Note the drop restrictions etc.
By the way, the stickers fade out after a few years, and fade faster if you try to wipe dirt away so you can read it. Ask me how I know...
Just wish I had taken a picture of my ML's Flex N gate sticker when it was brand new.
Last edited by dgiturbo; Jun 22, 2012 at 11:25 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 296
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From: Central coast California
2024 GLC300, 2014 BMW M235i
Happy trails,
3.5L
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
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E320 & GLK
GLK towing
I tried to find info about towing small trailer for camping, this info provided everything & more to make want my ML back. GLK is nice but after 10 years with the ML ideally miss it & I wouldn't have had the concerns I have now about what I can & can't do with the GLK, didn't even think about the brakes! thanks for great info.
