Towing without a WD hitch!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 541
Likes: 158
From: Houston Texas
2023 AMG GLE63s, 2017 AMG SL63, 2024 Sprinter, 1958 Chevrolet Corvette
tl01 - I have an '18GLS450 and tow an 18+ foot enclosed hi-profile cargo trailer with my '58 corvette inside - trailer is ~ 3,000 and the corvette the same for a 6,000 # tow. I do not have a WD hitch. I did add the Tekonsha Brake Controller as my MB is not wired for e-brake trailer.
Only negative "controlling" experience is when being past rapidly by an 18 wheeler, or other large profile vehicle - the sudden wind field definitely moves the trailer sideways enough to FIRMLY grab the wheel and "manage" it back to center lane. A slow pass is much less problematic.
On the performance side, I'll say the V6 is adequate on relatively level roadways but a steep or long grade overpass challenges the V6 significantly. I live in south central Texas and could not imagine towing that weight or greater with the 450 in extremely hilly or mountainous areas .... my opinion.
Good luck with your decision. I can imagine the boat profile will be much more "friendly" than the enclosed trailer, but I have no experience with that.
Only negative "controlling" experience is when being past rapidly by an 18 wheeler, or other large profile vehicle - the sudden wind field definitely moves the trailer sideways enough to FIRMLY grab the wheel and "manage" it back to center lane. A slow pass is much less problematic.
On the performance side, I'll say the V6 is adequate on relatively level roadways but a steep or long grade overpass challenges the V6 significantly. I live in south central Texas and could not imagine towing that weight or greater with the 450 in extremely hilly or mountainous areas .... my opinion.
Good luck with your decision. I can imagine the boat profile will be much more "friendly" than the enclosed trailer, but I have no experience with that.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 106
From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
I tow a 28-foot airstream without a wd hitch with my 2011 gl350. Probably 20,000 miles of towing all over the western US. It's not a big boat, but it has dual axles and approaches 7000 pounds fully loaded.
The big flaw in the GL / GLS for towing isn't towing capacity, it's very low hitch weight capacity in relation to its towing capacity, which is in turn driven by the total weight carrying capacity limit of the GL (People plus cargo plus fuel). The x164 and x166 platforms were limited to 600 pounds of hitch capacity. Most 6,000 pound trailers would be set up for closer to 900 pounds of hitch weight - the standard is to carry roughly 15% of the trailer weight on the hitch. I haven't seen any references on the Internet yet to the X167's hitch weight rating - but I would expect it's the same at about 600 pounds.
To deal with this, I try to load cargo in my Airstream over and behind its rear wheels. I also never carry anything in the back of the GL when towing to reduce the total weight on the GL's rear axle. I also reinforced my hitch with welded steel gussets.
Towing the airstream is super stable, even without WD. I feel the trailer back there, and I feel crosswind or large trucks passing, but it's never been scary. Quite solid actually...
I do realize you asked about towing a big boat - there are definitely a few big boat guys over in the X164 forum. You could ask over there.
The big flaw in the GL / GLS for towing isn't towing capacity, it's very low hitch weight capacity in relation to its towing capacity, which is in turn driven by the total weight carrying capacity limit of the GL (People plus cargo plus fuel). The x164 and x166 platforms were limited to 600 pounds of hitch capacity. Most 6,000 pound trailers would be set up for closer to 900 pounds of hitch weight - the standard is to carry roughly 15% of the trailer weight on the hitch. I haven't seen any references on the Internet yet to the X167's hitch weight rating - but I would expect it's the same at about 600 pounds.
To deal with this, I try to load cargo in my Airstream over and behind its rear wheels. I also never carry anything in the back of the GL when towing to reduce the total weight on the GL's rear axle. I also reinforced my hitch with welded steel gussets.
Towing the airstream is super stable, even without WD. I feel the trailer back there, and I feel crosswind or large trucks passing, but it's never been scary. Quite solid actually...
I do realize you asked about towing a big boat - there are definitely a few big boat guys over in the X164 forum. You could ask over there.
Last edited by ddruker; Mar 9, 2020 at 03:59 PM.
