joegrecoant

Hi guys, I am looking to get a ML350, and a dealer told me that they have one that i like (color, options and stuff), however, it comes with the trailer hitch....

The sales guy said he's not going to charge me anything for it, since I don't want it, but the question I have is, is the OEM hitch permanent?

If it's removable, will it do any permanent damage to the bumper or anything?

thanks guys!

srknutson

If it's free, what's the problem? It's tucked under the bumper and you can barley see it. If you really want it off, look under the chasis to see how MB installed it on the frame. In order to see if it can be uninstalled.

Retiree

I should think it would add to the resale value............Mine came with a hitch that I didn't really need, but now I think it makes the ML look more masculine. Besides, you never know when it may come in handy.

firefighter608

It's part of an option, what charge ?

Floobydust

Is the OEM hitch removable?

In practical terms, no. The hitch is welded to the rear bumper supports. To remove it would require that you remove the rear bumper assembly, lower the exhaust system, and replace the bumper supports with the factory parts the do not include the hitch. The transmission and braking ECU's are also programmed with different firmware to deal with the extra loads of towing (although I would think it would be OK to leave that alone). In short, it would probably cost more to remove it that paying sticker for a car exactly the way you want it.

- FD

joegrecoant

Thanks for the input everyone. I am assuming that I will never have a use for it so that's why if it is not useful to me at least or it doesn't look good like some ball type hitch that I saw in domestic trucks.....then I will remove it...

Anyway, I think I will just keep it intact then... I am in Canada so the hitch is an option for $675 CDN ( 675 US!!! also )... not part of any option... If it really makes it more muscular and free of charge, I guess that's totally alright...thanks guys!

lkchris

Here are the steps from the official service procedure:

Guess again as regards welding.

DUTCH

They must have run out of bolts and nuts at the factory for mine. Instead, they welded it to the main cross member that runs just forward of the rear bumper. (I just crawled under to look.)

Are you sure that you're not reading the "official service procedure" for the dealer installed version? Or are you looking at the GL procedure?

Papaya

I almost bought an ML that had the hitch that I didn't care for. I was told by the salesguy that a bodyshop could have it removed.