tow hitch and towing with you ML
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 49
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From: Los Angeles
ML350
tow hitch and towing with you ML
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
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
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
ML500
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.
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
'03 C32 LET Stage I
ML tow
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.
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
ML500
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.
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.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
'82 turbo yugo
Originally posted by SteveB
I'm not sure I'd tow 5000 lbs, even thought it's rated for it.
I'm not sure I'd tow 5000 lbs, even thought it's rated for it.
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.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Northern Va.
2003 ML 500, 2000 A6 2.7T
My buddy has towed a 993 RS with his...
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.
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.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
ML350 (2005) hitch wiring
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?
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?
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 41
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From: Toronto Ontario Canada
98 ml 320, MGB GT V8 (FACTORY)RHD
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
Towing with the ML was a real pleasure, barely noticed that I was towing anything at all.
Mike
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 3
From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
General towing advice
Originally Posted by 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
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
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.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 17
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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.
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.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: vermont
2000 ml320
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.
At the time I bought it, it was on special, I believe it was $225 complete.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2005 ML500 2002 E-320 4-matic wagon
Thanks
