terrydm3

I am about to order a 320CDI. It will need to be able to tow a boat weighing about 1200kgs with about 50-60kgs downward pressure on the tow ball.

Does anybody have any experience towing something similar with their 164? Does the current suspension cope with this load or does it need the airmatice upgrade?

Any suggestions as to what could be done instead of airmatic to help with towing load to standard susopension?

Cheers, Terry

GregW / Oregon

I have not towed with this vehicle, but the rated limits for US vehicles are 2,260 kg gross trailer weight and 225 kg tonque weight, well within your criteria. You should be fine. I would still recommend trailer brakes, though. Never good to have your boat pass you when in hard braking.

Drak

Hi Terry,

don't worry, with a 1200kg Trailer you will hardly notice that you are towing something. European specs are 3500kg with trailer Brakes. Don't need Airmatic to tow.

Rgds Drak

rubensans

Here in Spain I have a 320 CDI with the original mercedes ball from factory and it's rated at 3500 Kg.

So no problem at all for you.

Best Regards.

terrydm3

I am aware the car is well rated for the trailer/boat I intend to tow, I am more concerned with how the rear suspension will behave in its rear spring load and if it will have a tendancy to lift the front end making steering light.

I know that if I option the airmatic (self level rear suspension) these potential issues will be overcome but at a local converted cost of US$5,500 it is a very expensive option here. Does anybody have any direct experience towing with this car without airmatic please?

Regards, Terry

slsteve

you beat me to it with your question, i was about to post my experience,

As someone has said the limit is 3500kg braked, merc detachable

I have a 4 wheel car trailer raising platform winch etc.

First time i used it was last friday, had to deliver a New Ford Mondeo about 90 miles, and ive got to say the ML 320 CDI was a dream.

Apart from the vehicle showing slightly more revs than normal before it changed up a gear i would not of noticed pulling 2.6 tonnes behind me.

I had to set the cruise to 65mph (legal limit for towing in the UK is 50mph) because the car kept creeping up in speed and i was afraid of getting nicked for speeding. Coming back empty was even more comical because I did forget i had a trailer on the rear (dont ask!!!).

My only comment on an improvement require in my opinion would be the N/s mirror or pass side on left hand drive models, it is not wide enough to relax with.

Oh and when i hitch the trailer up the electic plug didnt fit a standard UK trailer took me 10 minutes to buy an adapter at £18.

Happy Towing.

slsteve

I dont have air suspension, i didnt notice any weird angles, I m thinking of taking a photo with my Sl500 on the tralier when i get round to it I will post a pic so u can have a look at the levels, I do have self leveling xenons which may have helped.

terrydm3

Thanks Steve and others for your help. These cars are so new here that nobody local has any experience with them so your responses have been very helpful.

Carl_CA

Anybody knows what are the reasons behind the different towng capacities in US and in Europe?

What are the concrete differencies in the ML series cars impacting towing capacity? Is it only brakes or also sthng else?

BR: Carl

WayneE

If you don't have airmatic, get a weight distributing hitch. I have used one in the past and it helps a lot on vehicles that are less than ideal for towing. If the ML is rated at 250kg tongue weight and you're only putting 50-60kg on it, you probably won't have too much trouble with the rear squatting.

As an aside, I would get airmatic just for the improvement in ride and handling

rubensans

If I have the 550 code for the towing (3500Kg); do I have bigger brakes like the ML500?

ML 280 CDI ML 320 CDI ML 350
Front axle
2 x 44 mm
330 x 32 mm
internally ventilated
Rear axle
40 mm
330 x 14 mm
solid

ML 500
Front axle
2 x 44 mm
350 x 32 mm
internally ventilated
Rear axle
42 mm
330 x 22 mm
internally ventilated


Best Regards.

Bing

get a Cayenne S

you won't even feel you're towing a boat





The ML 430 268-horsepower engine I had, you felt you were towing a boat.

rubensans

mmmm Get a W164.

docmayo

I have a ML500 that I am going to use to tow a Brenderup horse trailer.
The trailer calls for the top of the 2 inch ball to be 17 to 19 inches above
the ground. My ML has air suspension. What size ball mount should I buy?
It needs to be long enough and high enough to clear the bumper and give
me the right height for the trailer. Should I tow in sport, comfort or automatic mode?