M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

ML Towing Experiences

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 07:16 PM
  #1  
1994E500's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43
Likes: 12
ML Towing Experiences

Has anyone towed 6,000lb+ with their ML550 or 320CDI? Please share your thoughts on suitability of ML for towing this weight level and what brake controller you are using.

I am looking to occasionally tow my Lightning on an open aluminum trailer. Combined weight will be around 6200lb. Prefer the ML550 to a pickup (and a GL) as the ML will fit in my garage and be a better daily driver. Also makes a nice garage mate for my 2006 E55 Wagon.
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2007 | 11:15 AM
  #2  
dieselfan's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
08 ML320CDI
I have towed +/- 6000lb boat on a tandom axle surge brake trailer with our 08ML320cdi a few times. It tows lightyears ahead of the 04' Toyota Sequoia that it replaced. The diesel is made for this type of situation (tons of low end torque) and the 7G trans has many gear ratios to make the little motor happy. 5th gear is 1:1 so I just manually lock that in and let it rip. I am very happy with my decision on this as an ocassional tow vehicle and full time soccer mom mobile. It has been getting 20-21 real world mpg around town and 25-26 real world mpg on the road (avg 75-80 mph) with only 5k on the clock. Solid tight little vehicle with boatloads (excuse the pun) of torque (diesel). I haven't used a brake controller on this vehicle as don't have a trailer with electric brakes.
Good luck
Dieselfan
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:01 AM.

story-0
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-2
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-3
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-5
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-7
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE