Suthrn

Has anyone installed an aftermarket trailer hitch on a ML yet? What might be the pros/cons of going the route? I know the dealer can do the oem one but they are asking a mint for it, if you find a dealer willing to. The dealer I bought from told me that it couldn't be done as an after thought but I have heard of other dealers willing to do the install. Thanks for any feedback.

philip12

The car I picked out, 2008 ml350, did not have a hitch. The dealer installed a factory one as part of the sales deal. It was a big job. The sales person said it was nop big deal. The service Dept. had to remove the rear bumper valance and modify it. Then install the hitch, reinstall the bumper and valance, then the light hook up didn't work, the rear SAM had to be changed, now it seems ok. I don't think I would do a aftermarket install. when the trailer is hooked up to the car, the SAM and the computer change quite a few of the performance paramaters.transmission shift points, anti skid, and abs. etc. If the SAM didn't tell the computer that there was a trailer in tow, some things might not work right. How mouh were you quoted for the factory install?

Suthrn

Over $2000 for the dealer. I was thinking of using the ML to tow my skis to Florida this year with the, sure to be, high gas prices and all but it would just be cheaper to stick with the H2 at that cost.

philip12

I can see where they are getting that price, I would investigate a good hitch, like Reese or the like, go see them, see what they can do, to have a car like yours, you would like the option

soapy

I had a 2006 ML 500 that did not come with a hitch. I was quoted under $500 from Uhaul. They got it in and we found out that since I had the air ride option they did not build one for that yet. I had to go to the dealer and spend around $1300 for the MB unit. You might check with Uhaul and see if they have one for yours. I know they have one for the regualr suspension MLs.

SPIKES

did that include the wiring? did they mention any problems with combatibility with wiring.
thanks

soapy

The Uhaul hitch world did include the wiring.

Flubadub

Uhaul will probably make your tail lites work, but there is a lot more to it than that with an air suspension MB. Be sure to ask if the suspension will be locked out when the lites are hooked up, not to mention changes to the ABS, ASR, etc. that come with the factory set-up.

SPIKES

if you dont have air suspension will the u-haul wiring be an issue?

m1kefries

I picked up ML about a year ago and at the time no one made a hitch for the diesel. I checked with Uhaul, Reese, and Hidden Hitch. They all told me that the frame setup on the diesel was different from the gas model, which they did have hitches for. Not sure what could be different, but that's what they told me. The next problem was lighting as mentioned above. At them time no one made any kind of plug in harness for the lights and I was informed that if you cut into the factory harness it would void the warrenty.

Long story short I went back to have the dealer install it. I got lucky since it was only a week after pick up and they still had some things to do on the "We owe" list and I got the hitch on the list at factory install price, "$500.00". Otherwise it was going to be $1500.00 for a straight dealer install.

lkchris

They were wrong--they just made this up to try to explain why their information hadn't been updated to include the new model.

Flubadub

I am not sure. I am only familiar with the air suspension issue since I had a lot of these questions before I bouhgt mineand decided on ordering the factory hitch to avoid the issues I was uncovering with aftermarket.

Suthrn

Well, I called around today and the best price I found was about $1600 installed. That's for the hitch and the SAM. Thing is, I only want this for those long trips. Anything close to the house I use the Hummer and I only take about one long trip a year where I'm towing my skis. Not sure paying that would reap any real benefits in the long run. Got some pondering to do. Thanks for the replies.

Floobydust

Suthrn -

If all you are going to tow is a small trailer (jet skis?), I don't see why you couldn't use an after market hitch. I think both DrawTite and HiddenHitch make one for the W164. The OEM hitch is beefier, adds the trailer stability program to the ESC system, and adds an electronic brake control interface and all of this gets you 7200 lbs towing capacity compared to the 3500 on the after market ones. But if all you need to tow is a small trailer, you don't need the extra capacity. And people have been towing trailers for years without electronic wizardry.

Several manufacturers make "fully buffered" or "fully isolated" trailer light adapters which supply power to the trailer lights from a separate +12 volt source. Because these controllers are only detecting voltage (and not supply the actual drive current), they can use simple tap connectors which don't require cutting or splicing the OEM harness to interface the the MB tail lights and there is no danger of causing problems with the OEM lights/wiring/controllers.

- FD

Suthrn

Thanks FD. I think if I do get a hitch I might just go aftermarket. My skis only go about 2000 lbs. max full of gas and whatever the trailer is so I guess it wouldn't be a big problem. Was just wanting to see what the thoughts on the subject were here on the board. Getting any good solid info out of the dealers is impossible. They picked up the ML this morning to do the recall and called me to see if I wanted them to do the A service. I told them no I could change the oil myself and the service tech was just quiet for a second or two and responded in disbelief. I guess they are geared more towards much older people who don't read and research and figure out how to do things on their own but it still gets me how they act when you tell them you don't need them. Anyway, enough with my rant. Thanks again FD.

soapy

I just remembered that on my ML 500 I had the trailer hitch mounted on the factory MB hitch came with a new ECU for the engine. The one that was sent with the hitch was defective so I had to run with the standard ECU for a couple of weeks before I received the new Trailer tow ECU. I don't know what the difference was between the 2.

maverick02

Does anyone know if you can buy the OEM factory hitch online to self install instead of going through the dealer? Also if you go with an aftermarket hitch, how does the wiring work? Is there an outlet somewhere or do you have to splice into wires? I was reading in other forums that autozone carries an adapter, but im curious where the outlet is? Thanks.

brakel8

The OEM 164 hitch would be the way to go! The hitch is actually the bumper, the bumper cover is removed, bumper is removed (which is made out of aluminium), 2 heavy duty load and structrual bars are installed into the body frame rails, then the hitch/bumper (made out of steel) is installed and bolted to the bars and body. The coverings in the spare tire area are removed to install 4 mounting bolts that attach to the bars which were installed previously, the wiring harness for the lights and electric brake controller are fed through an access hole on the right rear, the wires are connected to the rear SAM, fuse box and ground lug. Mb lists a rear SAM for vehicles with trailer hitch which I belive that you only need it if you plan on useing electric brake controller. For 06 the pig tail for the brake controller is located at the right rear tail light area, for the 07 and on the conector is under the driver's side dash. The rear SAM needs to be coded for trailer to compenste for lights, airmatic (if equiped), ESP and anti theft (yes, if trailer is hooked up, vehicle locked and someone unplus the electrical wires at trailer coupling the alarm will go off and if tele aid is active you'll get a call from them!). Hope this info helps with your decission, I have an 06 ML 500 and tow about 4500 lbs with no problems. It always puts a grin on my face when I blow away Hemis and big blocks up an down the mountain hills with better fuel economy and awesome brakes!!!!

maverick02

brakel8, I have a 2008 ML 320.. the OEM 164 hitch will fit that too? Where did you buy yours? Do you have to go through the dealership? Thanks.

brakel8

Unfortunatley the dealer is the only place at this time. I'm not positive but I belive the hitch is the same for all 164's, the only one you can't install it on is the 63 because of the exhaust system.

maverick02

brakel8, how much are they charging for it? Also when you order, you just ask for the hitch and wiring kit, that's all I need?

Hamlin

I was quoted $799 for the hitch (comes with wiring harness)
$414.18 for the rear SAM (needs to be 164 540 01 01)
~$600 for the installation @ MB of El Dorado Hills CA

NoYurDstny

I have a 05 ML500 and just ran into that problem when i wanted to rent a trailer from Uhaul. They quoted me 470.00 to install the hitch (didn't include wiring). I was able to find a hitch CURT MFG Part # 13018 for 118$. Ball Mount #45030 13.68$ and Ball for 6.22$. It was relatively simple for my fiance to install the hitch. The bumper once screws are removed, just pops off. A no brainer.

The kicker was with the wiring harness we purchased. It indicated that it had to be wired from rear to battery. I've read in other forums where ML500 are pre-wired and the plug is located behind the rear driver light ---tucked way under the air vents on the side. We found it...I called a contact I have a the MB corp office to find out more information and was told that the OEM part was no longer available. I called the dealer to have then complete the wiring and they advised they had OEM 47355 wiring harness adapter that connects to the prewiring form $17, with plenty in stock. I have not be able to get by there to get it done yet!

Will post the outcome.

559EVO

Not a single person yet?

nick605

What's wrong with you guys. Yer live in the States and can't find a suitable hitch??

From yer mate in AU:

SEE HERE: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCE...item2a05c6ae3a