03ML350

Hi Everyone,

I know the ML350 owner's manual states that the ML can tow up to 5000 lbs. but has anyone use their ML to tow? If so how much weight are you towing and where did you get you tow hitch installed?

I may need to tow my racecar and its trailer, which is about 3300 lbs. total. So theoretically this would be within the limits of my ML. However when I used a Chevy Tahoe to tow, the brakes felt really mushy and it didn't seem to stop very well and that had a towing capacity of 7700 lbs. Is this the same with the ML?

I'm in Southern Cal, so if anyone has had any experiences with trailer hitch places please let me know.

Thanks for your reply.

03ML350

SteveB

Buy the hitch from the dealer. I don't think you can find one anywhere else. I've installed 2 of them, it's not all that difficult. The factory hitch includes all the necessary hardware, and the wiring harness along with connectors for 6 wire & flat 4 wire.

I towed my ski boat with my ML320, no problems. My neighbor has a 996 cup car on an open trailer that he used to tow up to Las Vegas with his ML320 with no problems. I'm not sure I'd tow 5000 lbs, even thought it's rated for it.

03ML350

Hey Steve,

Thanks again for all your replies!

I'm assuming the tow hitch that you're talking about was a "bolt on" one and not welded on?

Thanks again,

Bill

03ML350

Hey Steve,

Would you mind sharing how much you paid for the hitch?

Thanks again,

Bill

smurtaza

I read somewhere (may be technical documentation for ML) that ML has a system that detects extra load from the back while towing and adjusts braking front and back ie: applies more brakes in the back to keep the balance. I have towed trailers about 2500lbs long distances at high speeds 70mph with no problems on my '00ML 320.

SteveB

same thing as the bars, I negotiated a deal for the parts when I bought the car. I think I paid something like $250, I think the regular price is $350. It's a very nice hitch, complete with a couple of pretty substantial pieces for reinforcing the bumper and all the wiring harness pieces. It's all bolt on, no welding required.
The harness plugs in to the existing wiring, there's a socket in the rear panel for the hitch wiring.

You do have to use care when removing the bumper cover, you don't want to scratch it. Then you have to make the cutout for the hitch.

Some Pete Guy

Approximately 5400 lbs. and no problems on a 130 mile tow.

The factory hitch is the way to go, as others have said.

The hardest part of the install for me was getting my hand into the tiny space to do the final connection of the wiring harness.

The ML tows very nicely, no brake issues, no speed wiggle/wobble even at relatively high speeds.

I paid $299 for the hitch.

SteveB

5400 lbs is no problem with the V8, he's talking about the V6.

Hooking up that wiring was fun, wasn't it?? I had scabs on my hand for a week from digging out that connector !

Some Pete Guy

Ok, I thought you were referring to the hitch rating, and exceeding it, when you referenced 5,000lb.

E. J.

ML 430 for 3 years now. No problems at all. Uses an open trailer too. I figure he's at close to 5000 pounds fully loaded with the tire rack and all.

I'm planning on towing my SRF with my ML500 when I get the race car next year.

Not sure how the V6 is going to do for you though. Good luck.

E. J.

gcg

Has anyone hadas much trouble with getting their hitch to work on an ML350? The dealer installed it and did such a poor quality job of trimming the plastic cover I took it back. Well then the lights on the trailer didn't workso I brought it back again, and tehy still don't work. I'm towing a Yamaha boat on what seems to be a standard trailer. I've tried figuring it out, but I can't seem to make it work. I get current at one of the pins, only the night marker lights work.
I'm at the end of my rope on this. I even wrote a letter to Paul Halata (CEO of MB North America) and got no response. Maybe I should have bought a Lexus?

nsfkid

I just moved with my ML, Towed approx 3500 pounds from Vancouver B.C. to Toronto. I purchased a trailer hitch from U-haul (Made by Draw-Tight) mounts just under the bumper so no cutting was required. The downside is that it is one ugly hitch to look at. But it will be a temporary item. The hitch, wiring, tax, everything came to $152. It took approx 2hrs to install.
Towing with the ML was a real pleasure, barely noticed that I was towing anything at all.
Mike

E55AMG99

General towing advice....
Put surge brakes on the trailer or adjust more bias into them if they are already there. No modifications necessary to the tow vehicle. Electric brakes would be the ultimate but a much more involved installation for the truck. More importantly, make sure the angle of the hitch is not pointing down. A level hitch will transfer weight evenly to the tow vehicle and not unload the front tires. Also, watch your center of gravity. Keep it very low.

lookaught

after three years and three winters the wiring on my dealer installed hitch has shorted out. I have no idea where the problem is occuring but it is now engaging the electric brakes on my trailer even though I have no brake controller on my ML. It also blows my brake light fuse every time I hook it up.

its a nice hitch though, ive towed over 6000 with my ML500. a brake controller is needed for heavy loads, otherwise the brakes get mushy and less effective. I plan to wire in a controller in the spring as well as to fix this stupid wiring problem.

howvood

The ML pulls very well. These trailers were well loaded but had brakes so braking was not a problem. The best price I found on the factory hitch, including the wiring was here: http://mb.parkplacestores.com/trailhitkit.html

At the time I bought it, it was on special, I believe it was $225 complete.

Mike_K

What were you towing? I have an '05 ML500. I have a brake controller wired in. I'm looking at toy haulers and I'd like to get the largest that can be safely towed. I know that the Euro spec for towing is 7700 lbs but the tongue weight is the concern.

Thanks