What R U Towing w/ ur ML
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Apple Valley,Ca
2003 ML500,06 C230 Sport
What R U Towing w/ ur ML
I'm curious what others are towing with there ML's I'll B towing a bass boat with mine I'll try & post some pic's sometime soon.
Fastfish
Fastfish
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 292
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From: Houston, TX
Q & R
Biggest thing I have towed so far was a 6 x 12 foot closed box Uhaul, tandem axle, loaded to the gills with furniture.
Volume: up to 396 cu. ft.
Max load: 2,600 lbs.
Gross vehicle weight: 4,400 lbs. max
Empty weight: 1,800 lbs.
Ran 75+ passing 18 wheelers on 2 lane highways.
If I can find a nice lightweight alumiunum car trailer for cheap, I plan to tow my 06 Corvette to races with it.
Volume: up to 396 cu. ft.
Max load: 2,600 lbs.
Gross vehicle weight: 4,400 lbs. max
Empty weight: 1,800 lbs.
Ran 75+ passing 18 wheelers on 2 lane highways.
If I can find a nice lightweight alumiunum car trailer for cheap, I plan to tow my 06 Corvette to races with it.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 292
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From: Houston, TX
Q & R
Originally Posted by MBfan89
what do u think is the max towing capabilty for an ml 320
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Apple Valley,Ca
2003 ML500,06 C230 Sport
Things towed
I figure what I'll be towing weighs in @ no more tha 2300lbs. its a lite-weight bass boat should ride along behind like its not even there.
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 2
From: Houston, TX
MY2004 E320
O/D Question
I have not towed any thing on the ML yet but the intention is to tow my jetski (~600-800 lbs only) and the 1200-lbs popup camper we currently tow with our Windstar Van.
I am impressed at the 5000lb capacity of the ML320 because the Windstar (being an extended Van) with a 3.8L engine is rated at 3500lbs only. However I have to say this. I can hardly feel the camper (when loaded fully about 2000 lbs) and towing with the windstar. Only time you feel something is braking since the camper does not have electric brakes.
My wife is scared that we'll hurt the mercedes transmission if we tow with it, and she likes the way it looks
without the hitch. I am of the opinion that this thing was designed for this stuff so why not!
One question I have though, is do you put the transmission in 4 for towing? since there is no Tow/Haul button (GM) or O/D Off button (Other AT) on these things? That is the only logical thing that comes to mind.
Did anyone install a transmission cooler?
I am impressed at the 5000lb capacity of the ML320 because the Windstar (being an extended Van) with a 3.8L engine is rated at 3500lbs only. However I have to say this. I can hardly feel the camper (when loaded fully about 2000 lbs) and towing with the windstar. Only time you feel something is braking since the camper does not have electric brakes.
My wife is scared that we'll hurt the mercedes transmission if we tow with it, and she likes the way it looks
without the hitch. I am of the opinion that this thing was designed for this stuff so why not!One question I have though, is do you put the transmission in 4 for towing? since there is no Tow/Haul button (GM) or O/D Off button (Other AT) on these things? That is the only logical thing that comes to mind.
Did anyone install a transmission cooler?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 292
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From: Houston, TX
Q & R
Originally Posted by mobinakhtar
One question I have though, is do you put the transmission in 4 for towing? since there is no Tow/Haul button (GM) or O/D Off button (Other AT) on these things? That is the only logical thing that comes to mind.
Did anyone install a transmission cooler?
Did anyone install a transmission cooler?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento, CA
Ducati
I towed my buddies 95 Tahoe on a trailer. It went without a hitch, but stopping that extra 5000lbs was a bit tricky!!!!
These are strong lil buggers. I wouldn't trade mine for anything!
These are strong lil buggers. I wouldn't trade mine for anything!
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 2
From: Houston, TX
MY2004 E320
cyeung65 - Don't think TX is that smart in any ML
Funny how 4 can mean so much! What I meant was 4th Gear. Typically you would turn off overdrive or the top gear to keep transmission from overly shifting and getting damaged in the process. I have towed a small 18ft boat with a F*** explorer XLT without OD off and actually damaged the transmission (merely in 30 miles or so).
All owners manuals of domestic/Jap SUV's mention this for towing. However I have not checked the manual in my ML yet.
Since there is no O/D OFF button - I am assuming everyone puts it in 4th Gear (Auto 1-4) by sliding the shifter lefwards (2000+ Model) or does something in the older models to ensure that transmission does not get hurt.
I do not think that transmission is smart enough to determine its towing something unless mercedes towing harness sends CPU some info back (Highly unlikely) - You should consider this as well because if you are leaving your TX in D al the time towing - you better get ready to shell out 3.5K plus in rebuild costs.
Please do not take offense at this. I have been towing for long, but never with a mercedes truck. I made many mistakes and am just trying to be cautious.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 292
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From: Houston, TX
Q & R
I don't tow all the time, but I would think if it is significant enough of a load and you can notice it is a lug on the engine, then keeping it in 4th won't hurt even if not specified by the mfr. - esp in stop and go traffic or hilly terrain. In my experience I left it in 5th on the highway and had no problems. I think it would be more load dependent and not a rule of thumb.
BTW - I think the W164 has only a 3500 lb rating, like most other car based SUVs out there.
BTW - I think the W164 has only a 3500 lb rating, like most other car based SUVs out there.
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 2
From: Houston, TX
MY2004 E320
You are correct about the W164. It's towing cap is rated at 3500 lbs. However, I double checked the W163 specs, and it is indeed rated at 5000 lbs. Must have to do with the way hitch/structure is designed.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Midlands, UK
2003 C32 AMG, 2003 ML270 CDi
Originally Posted by mobinakhtar
You are correct about the W164. It's towing cap is rated at 3500 lbs. However, I double checked the W163 specs, and it is indeed rated at 5000 lbs. Must have to do with the way hitch/structure is designed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento, CA
Ducati
Hows about the X164 GL commercial on Wolfgangs site??
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/x164.html
I like how it towing a boat, trailer, 5th wheel dealie, house, etc.
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/x164.html
I like how it towing a boat, trailer, 5th wheel dealie, house, etc.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
Likes: 33
From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
Doesn't the MB tranny do the 1,2,3,4 when in D?
I remember my sales person telling me at the time of delivery that putting it in 3 meant locking it to go upto 3, the MB tranny CPU will auto shift between 1 and 3 as needed...doesn't mean it is locked in 3, just that it is locked not to go beyond 3.
Thus, putting in D simply makes it auto shift from 1 to O/D as needed...I doub't if towing while putting in D is gonna do any damage...since the tranny does shift all the way down to 1 as needed...
Putting it in 4 would mean locking it out of O/D...and letting it only go from 1 to 4. I agree, on the freeway, that may not be needed...
Thus, putting in D simply makes it auto shift from 1 to O/D as needed...I doub't if towing while putting in D is gonna do any damage...since the tranny does shift all the way down to 1 as needed...
Putting it in 4 would mean locking it out of O/D...and letting it only go from 1 to 4. I agree, on the freeway, that may not be needed...
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 144
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach County, Fl.
W163 ML500 w/Kleeman headers (gone but not forgotten); R63
Originally Posted by mobinakhtar
You are correct about the W164. It's towing cap is rated at 3500 lbs. However, I double checked the W163 specs, and it is indeed rated at 5000 lbs. Must have to do with the way hitch/structure is designed.
Regards,
Jerry
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,414
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
Originally Posted by mihir_d
I remember my sales person telling me at the time of delivery that putting it in 3 meant locking it to go upto 3, the MB tranny CPU will auto shift between 1 and 3 as needed...doesn't mean it is locked in 3, just that it is locked not to go beyond 3.
Thus, putting in D simply makes it auto shift from 1 to O/D as needed...I doub't if towing while putting in D is gonna do any damage...since the tranny does shift all the way down to 1 as needed...
Putting it in 4 would mean locking it out of O/D...and letting it only go from 1 to 4. I agree, on the freeway, that may not be needed...
Thus, putting in D simply makes it auto shift from 1 to O/D as needed...I doub't if towing while putting in D is gonna do any damage...since the tranny does shift all the way down to 1 as needed...
Putting it in 4 would mean locking it out of O/D...and letting it only go from 1 to 4. I agree, on the freeway, that may not be needed...
I read it somehwere, I can't find where it was though.
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 144
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach County, Fl.
W163 ML500 w/Kleeman headers (gone but not forgotten); R63
Originally Posted by mobinakhtar
What I meant was 4th Gear. Typically you would turn off overdrive or the top gear to keep transmission from overly shifting and getting damaged in the process. I have towed a small 18ft boat with a F*** explorer XLT without OD off and actually damaged the transmission (merely in 30 miles or so).
Regards,
Jerry
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1
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C32 AMG / ML 320
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8
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From: New Jersey
2005 ML500 2002 E-320 4-matic wagon
With my '05 ML500 I pull a 7x12 PACE enclosed trailer with two race bikes and associated tools and gear. About 3500 lbs total. I have the factory tow package which I installed after finally finding a complete kit of parts online. I do have a brake controller installed. Makes a difference in stopping power.
