Guilty as charged: I know next to nothing about trailer hookups. My used GLK 350 has this (attached) hookup, and my neighbour says it's non-standard as it appears to be only 1.5" hole. It seems really well attached directly to the chassis unlike the add-on bars I have seen done aftermarket. Is this a standard MB connection as a new buyer option? Any advice would be welcome.





Regards Chris

 

Yes - the MB trailer hitch factory option is Class 1 with that size receiver.

The "larger" receiver for Class II/III is available aftermarket only.

 

I thought our factory installed hitch is class II. Correct me if I'm wrong.

cfugle, you can see my post with pics showing how to hook up the hitch at below link.
https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...y-trailer.html

You're lucky to have the factory hitch as you can see there are tons of posts other members trying to install aftermarket hitch.

 

I believe it depends on what country. The USA market has a lower rating than Euro market.

 

thanks fabbrisd1 for the confirmation and it appears to be a 1 ¼ inch bar needed. What I don't get is why on earth does MB sell the towing hitch option Class 1 (= 2,000lb gross weight max) yt so heavily promote 3,500 lb gross weight ability? Doesn't make sense to under fit their cars with lesser products...
chrissk- amazing link thanks so much.

 

The hitch is the same for all markets. However due to the sue happy nature (aka liability issues) of the citizens of the good old USA, lower ratings are shown. If you have ever seen the OEM hitch with the extra braces & how the receiver is incorporated into the bumper reinforcement, nothing offered on this side of the pond imo comes close to it. Unfortunately you get what you pay for & the MB hitch, when sold as an accessory is expensive. Aftermarket is significantly less.

 

If you're asking "why" the GLK factory hitch is smaller - it is so owner's cn't overload - and that protects MB on liability...

 

The hitch is a Class II hitch that has a 1 1/4 inch opening and uses a 1 7/8 inch ball and is rated for 3500 pounds. The Class I is the same size receiver and ball size but with a lower 1500 pound rating. The Class III and Class IV use the 2" receiver and 2" ball and are rated at 5000 pounds and 7500 pounds respectively.
My manual for my '10 GLK350 4Matic says 3500 pounds towing max with a weight of 280 pounds on the ball maximum. You might check your manual.

 

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Certainly not. This is for Germany, if not all of Europe, and maybe more locations.
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