Adding a Trailer Hitch
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 147
Likes: 36
From: Houston
2021 GLS 450 & 23 GLS 450. Have a Holden Commodore, Jeep, truck, and more
Adding a Trailer Hitch
My wife found a GLS 450 she really likes. The only problem is that it doesn't have the hitch. I would want to have the hitch installed. Is there anything in computer that needs to be programmed or done for wire harness provisions? Do X167 without the hitch packages still have the harness for the brake controller under the dash or is that something else that needs to be done? I am leaning towards factory for warranty and other purposes so that is my focus at the moment. Has anyone done this?
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 87
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From: New Zealand
Formally: 2002 ML 270cdi, 2012 GL 350 cdi. Current: 2020 GLS 400d & 2024 AMG A35
One thing to consider is option 557 “Increased towing capacity” which increases the downforce rating on the hitch from 140kg to 280kg. As far as I can tell, 557 can only be factory fitted (not retro fitted), so even retro fitting a genuine MB hitch with no 557 present from the factory will still only give you the lower downforce rating.
That difference is really significant of you are towing anything of significance - so really worth finding one with a factory fitted hitch including 557 in my view.
I would be keen to hear other people’s experience on this. Certainly in our market 557 only gets fitted if the hitch is selected from the factory. Do other markets fit 557 ready for future hitches ?
That difference is really significant of you are towing anything of significance - so really worth finding one with a factory fitted hitch including 557 in my view.
I would be keen to hear other people’s experience on this. Certainly in our market 557 only gets fitted if the hitch is selected from the factory. Do other markets fit 557 ready for future hitches ?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 147
Likes: 36
From: Houston
2021 GLS 450 & 23 GLS 450. Have a Holden Commodore, Jeep, truck, and more
Well, that one didn't work out for a few reasons. I am trying to push for getting one with a factory hitch, but I would be curious what it costs to get a factory hitch and see what other items would be required to make it as if it came equipped with one or very close. If nothing else to know what value to attribute to one equipped vs one without. I spoke with 2 dealers locally and was ultimately sent to the body shop to find out. I was told "they handle those". I haven't heard back from either yet.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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C450, GLS 63 and a few other things
While not exactly the same, the GLE seems to be similar enough functionally that many of the problems/solutions are the same.
There are several threads there about after market hitch install. Here's one to start with and there are links to a couple of others there:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...h-install.html
Seems like some wiring needs to be done and it is doable, but you might need someone who is willing to try to figure it out.
There are several threads there about after market hitch install. Here's one to start with and there are links to a couple of others there:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...h-install.html
Seems like some wiring needs to be done and it is doable, but you might need someone who is willing to try to figure it out.
