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Towing a trailer and hitch set up for 2017 GLS 450
Question for folks towing a trailer with their 2017 GLS450...are you following the dimensions provided by the manual? See attached photos. We plan to tow smaller rented Airstreams because there aren’t many on the market right now. So they will all be less than 4000 lbs with less than 600 lbs tongue weight. So plenty of room with the 7500 tow capacity of the GLS. Given that we are renting, it is harder to get airstream servicer to fix up a hitch for us so we’re kind of trying to figure it out ourselves. Our biggest predicament is this 7.5” from the pinhole to the middle of the ball.
are you guys doing that? Or does your hitch go out way further?
I feel like we’re missing some physics here! I’ve attached some photos to show you what hitches we’ve tried so far. we’re newbies to the towing world so any insight would help! TIA
btw we have a factory tow hitch on our SUV
Picture 1-dimensions of ball placement is 7.5” from pinhole to middle of the ball. Seems awfully small 7” from pinhole to middle of the ball. Looks like might not be enough clearance for airstream coupler to attach. It’s about 2” from our bumper. Also height of ball is fixed. Might be too short from airstream Hitch is basically touching our bumper. If we go over bumps, we’re assuming this could significantly scratch our bumper. Also the distance from pinhole to middle of the ball is 9.5”-exceeding the measurements provided in the manual.
Last edited by ooohweee12; Aug 7, 2020 at 12:39 AM.
The 7.5" dimension is established by the drawbar. If you have a 7" dimension drawbar, you are good to go. A variety of drawbars should be available, so I would be surprised if this is a roadblock for you. If a last ditch effort is needed, a hitch shop can make one for you.
You have air suspension on the GLS, correct? This generally takes care of height, within a reasonable range of initial (unloaded) ball height and tongue weight.
There are people using weight distributing hitches on GL/GLS/ML/GLE vehicles. Have you considered a weight distributing hitch with spring bars? A weight distributing hitch transfers load (weight) to the front axle, which is a good thing in many ways when towing a heavier trailer. However, I believe M-B does not speak to whether or not a weight distributing hitch is acceptable on a GL/GLS/ML/GLE, and dealers either play dumb, or are dumb about this. Best to search mbworld. @GLE John I think is towing a camper regularly.
You didn't give a height dimension from center of ball to ground, unloaded. What is this on your vehicle with the two different drawbars you pictured? Loaded ball height should be in the rough neighborhood of 18"-19" from ground, measured on level pavement for the vehicle and trailer together. Starting ball height can be a bit higher, maybe 18.5"-19.5" for a steel spring suspension. IMO no adjustment is needed for air suspension, keeping in mind a WD hitch will help with ball height.
I tow a 3,500 lb boat with a GLE with steel spring suspension, and my unloaded ball height is around 17.5"-18". It tows like a gem.
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