Adding a trailer light connections with no tow package
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GLS450
Adding a trailer light connections with no tow package
I have a 2023 GLS with a genuine MB trailer hitch. I bought the hitch used and installed it simply to carry a bike/luggage rack. Now i would like to use it to tow my camper. I need a 7 pole connector. They sell brake controllers that are wireless but i still need to get the lights set up. Does anyone know of a plug in harness that will work. I do see some tee harnesses out there but not sure even where to located the connector.
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I have a 2023 GLS with a genuine MB trailer hitch. I bought the hitch used and installed it simply to carry a bike/luggage rack. Now I would like to use it to tow my camper. I need a 7 pole connector. They sell brake controllers that are wireless but I still need to get the lights set up. Does anyone know of a plug in harness that will work. I do see some tee harnesses out there but not sure even where to locate the connector.
......
Edit: Oh, wait. I see that you don't have factory-installed hitch. That's a problem, but lights may still work with the instructions I posted.
Pull back the front mat and see if there's a "Green Plug." If you do, it may be functional. You won't have the transmission and other car adaptations.
I spent about $14 on the parts to make the "pigtail" to connect to wired brake controllers.
Last edited by mikapen; Jun 23, 2025 at 05:19 PM.
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GLS450
my problem is i have nothing to plug it in to. My car has no tow package so there are no light connectors. I can buy a light control module that is genuine MB but again, i have no idea how to plug a connector in to the car.
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Did you see my attachment? And my subsequent edit?
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Beware though that an aftermarket attachment of the hitch probably is not anywhere near as strong as the factory version.
With previous models there were significant internal chassis reinforcements that came with the hitch.
The hitch alone may not be sufficient for a full rated load.
With previous models there were significant internal chassis reinforcements that came with the hitch.
The hitch alone may not be sufficient for a full rated load.
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GLS450
yes i did see your attachment, The hitch i have is a MB genuine off of an x167. The issue is that i dont have any options to wire it. My car does not have the tow package. That means i do not have the x58/11 shown in the instructions.
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2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
All I can say is good luck. It isn't like the old days of simply grabbing +12v from the running lights and brake/turn signals. Worst case you'll need something that can listen on the CAN bus and pickup messages to light the various lights and convert those into trailer light power.
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I agree with @jkaetz that simply tapping into a taillight wire, as we'd do in the pre-CanBus days, may have unintended consequences.
Last edited by mikapen; Jun 24, 2025 at 11:56 AM.
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