Trailer Hitch
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 275
Likes: 3
From: Wyomissing, Pa
Kia Sedona
realralfy or anyone. I also bought a used 2009 ML320 cdi without a hitch. Great deal until I called the dealer yesterday to ask about a hitch. $4000 by the time it is on the truck with taxes in. This is in Ontario. Required hitch, harness, SAM card, new bumper cover and the piece under.
Did the $850 kit include the wiring harness? Realralfy what modification did you have to do to the bumper cover and the piece under to make them fit after you installed the hitch? Any chance you could send a photo? Thanks
Did the $850 kit include the wiring harness? Realralfy what modification did you have to do to the bumper cover and the piece under to make them fit after you installed the hitch? Any chance you could send a photo? Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 30
From: Florida, USA
2017 Rolls Royce Wraith, 1999 CLK Cabriolet, 2023 Genesis G90
I will chime in with just an observation that in a quick sweep of the above posts, I believe wasn't mentioned. Be sure that the harness you get, once connected, will allow the trailer lights to function properly. In my GL550, as well as a friend's ML350, both 2011's, LED trailer lights blink incessantly when plugged into the factory receptacle below the bumper using a 7-4 adapter purchased at MB dealer. This occurs with any trailer we plug in, not just mine, as well as with a different 7-4 adapter. A trailer with incandescent lights will work just fine, however. Unless your trailer has incandescent lamps, or you're willing to change back to incandescents from LEDs, you may find yourself driving down the road with a trailer that thinks it's Christmas and blinks all its lights in unison. Food for thought.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 313
Likes: 9
From: SoCal
'03 A4 2.0 Stroker, '14 E63 S AMG, '10 E550, '10 S550, '03 C240
Also keep in mind that most warranties(aftermarket typically) are void if towing with a NON factory trailer hitch over 2,000lbs.
I was shopping for extended warranties and ALL of them said that if I tow over 2,000lbs without an OEM hitch I'd void my warranty. I'm glad the previous owner had one installed by the dealer.
I was shopping for extended warranties and ALL of them said that if I tow over 2,000lbs without an OEM hitch I'd void my warranty. I'm glad the previous owner had one installed by the dealer.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
.
V12- on a side note.. how was negotiating with rallye.. will be headed there within the next 1 week. Trying to scoop up a 2012 ML350
thks
Last edited by AcesUp; Mar 6, 2012 at 05:51 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 275
Likes: 3
From: Wyomissing, Pa
Kia Sedona
negotiation was the most straight forward one i have dealt with. not much bs. the price they offered me was my bottom line as well. don't take their asking price, of course. i just asked the sales person what's his best number and he went to ask the manager and it was what i have in mind. i bought extended warranty from them as well after they automatically have me sign the waiver for not getting the warranty. they also discounted almost 20% off the warranty. keep in mind that they are 3hrs away from where i live. my local dealer couldn't match their price even though i just bought a S400 hybrid from them. the car buying process in nyc is also the most frustrating one. didn't know you can't buy a car over the phone. you have to physically go their to buy it and you can't pick up the car same day even if you have the cash. have not used their service department except the trailer hitch install but my sales person took care of that. oh, you need a "bank check" to buy a car vs a regular check will do here in pa.
Newbie
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
12 ML350 Bluetec
why not class IV hitches?
Hi all. I realize I'm replying to a discussion that is now 2 years old. Sorry. Just bought my '12 ML350 Bluetec (CPO) this week and didn't have an interest in MB forums until just recently.
I've read this whole thread and it is really insightful. Thank you. Wish I found it before I bought my ML, though. I would have held out for a unit built with factory hitch installed. Anyway, from this discussion I can see I have an option still and it is to use the dealer and genuine parts.
My question is why isn't there a class IV hitch for this rig? the dealers (I've talked to three) say all they have is class III. I just spoke with Mercedes customer care and asked them what the factory installed hitch rating was and they said class III as well. The vehicle is rated at 7,200 lbs-ft (as you all know), which seems to clearly be in the class IV range.
I haven't towed a lot so maybe I am asking a silly question. I just don't want this to limit my choices in travel trailers when I finally acquire one this summer.
Any thoughts? Sorry for the long message. I'm a newbie at forum discussions.
thanks,
Snoopycat.
I've read this whole thread and it is really insightful. Thank you. Wish I found it before I bought my ML, though. I would have held out for a unit built with factory hitch installed. Anyway, from this discussion I can see I have an option still and it is to use the dealer and genuine parts.
My question is why isn't there a class IV hitch for this rig? the dealers (I've talked to three) say all they have is class III. I just spoke with Mercedes customer care and asked them what the factory installed hitch rating was and they said class III as well. The vehicle is rated at 7,200 lbs-ft (as you all know), which seems to clearly be in the class IV range.
I haven't towed a lot so maybe I am asking a silly question. I just don't want this to limit my choices in travel trailers when I finally acquire one this summer.
Any thoughts? Sorry for the long message. I'm a newbie at forum discussions.
thanks,
Snoopycat.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2009 ML 550
I will chime in with just an observation that in a quick sweep of the above posts, I believe wasn't mentioned. Be sure that the harness you get, once connected, will allow the trailer lights to function properly. In my GL550, as well as a friend's ML350, both 2011's, LED trailer lights blink incessantly when plugged into the factory receptacle below the bumper using a 7-4 adapter purchased at MB dealer. This occurs with any trailer we plug in, not just mine, as well as with a different 7-4 adapter. A trailer with incandescent lights will work just fine, however. Unless your trailer has incandescent lamps, or you're willing to change back to incandescents from LEDs, you may find yourself driving down the road with a trailer that thinks it's Christmas and blinks all its lights in unison. Food for thought.
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
From: Torch Lake, MI
2018 GLC 300
2006 ML500 W164 tow hitch
I needed a trailer hitch for my 2006 ML500 W164. I purchased a Drawtite hitch & a wiring harness from etrailer. Seller claims this will all work. So far the hitch went on no problem. The wire harness has a modulation box of some type. Thinking this controls all the needs. Pretty easy splice into brake, blinker, & running lights. Power wire with inline fuse. I bought 4 prong that can lug into 7 prong adaptor you can install. Seemed pretty straight forward & had video. Where could I be going wrong or fooled by seller.
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
From: Torch Lake, MI
2018 GLC 300
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 5
2011 ML 350
So the hitch receiver might be ok but at the end of the day, i'm afraid it depends on the car.
Last edited by vincentimes.69; Jun 6, 2018 at 11:16 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 507
Likes: 25
From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
I looked at their web site and they have various models with different capacities. The OEM MB hitch has a max gross weight of the trailer of 5,000 lbs and a max tongue weight of 500 lbs. The DrawTites go from 2,000lbs (Class I) to over 18,000 lbs (Class V w/3" receiver). You'll have to find your model and check.
http://www.draw-tite.com/products/tr...Mp45abhF%7C9in
http://www.draw-tite.com/products/tr...Mp45abhF%7C9in
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
From: Torch Lake, MI
2018 GLC 300
Tow package
Vincentimes.69-Thanks for the reply. I own a 2006 ML500 AWD. Manual says vehicle is rated to 5000# towing. Not sure of tongue weight. I assume this is the OEM PACKAGE from MB. The Drawtite model #75376 was the hitch Drawtite told me I needed. How ever install video says tongue weight 200#, tow weight 3500#. Mounts on bottom 2 bolts of bumper bracket w/4 3/4 bolts in the floor pan under in spare tire compartment. Fortunately I have to tow my 5500# Pay load (27’ Boat & Trailer) only 3 miles to the launch. Hoping it doesn’t pull the back end of my 500 off. Any additional comments appreciated. Dan
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
From: Torch Lake, MI
2018 GLC 300
Tow package
I looked at their web site and they have various models with different capacities. The OEM MB hitch has a max gross weight of the trailer of 5,000 lbs and a max tongue weight of 500 lbs. The DrawTites go from 2,000lbs (Class I) to over 18,000 lbs (Class V w/3" receiver). You'll have to find your model and check.
http://www.draw-tite.com/products/tr...Mp45abhF%7C9in
http://www.draw-tite.com/products/tr...Mp45abhF%7C9in
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 507
Likes: 25
From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
flybd5-Thanks for the reply. Went to the link you shared & put in my vehicle to find no item available for that model. The chart on the page says class III has plenty of capacity for my load. But if you read my reply to Vincentimes.69 I’m not confident of the mount area to accommodate my load. I’m skeptical of the performance I’ll get with this package, & disappointed I trusted etrailer.com with their advise without more research. My bad there. Any other suggestions or advise are appreciated. Thanks again. Dan
- Receiver opening: 2" x 2"
- Rating: Class III
- Maximum gross trailer weight: 3,500 lbs
- Maximum GTW when used with weight distribution: 4,000 lbs
- Maximum tongue weight: 350 lbs
- Maximum TW when used with weight distribution: 400 lbs
- Maximum gross trailer weight: 3,500 lbs
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
ML 320 CDI 2007
Hi,
I have the same problem to find the aftermarket hitch with gross towing capacity 5000lb for ML 320 CDI 2007 . Draw-tite today replayed me that it has only a hitch with 3500 lb towing capacity from my car. The OEM hitch costs $1250????
Did you find aftermarket hitch with GTC 5000lb fro your ML?
I have the same problem to find the aftermarket hitch with gross towing capacity 5000lb for ML 320 CDI 2007 . Draw-tite today replayed me that it has only a hitch with 3500 lb towing capacity from my car. The OEM hitch costs $1250????
Did you find aftermarket hitch with GTC 5000lb fro your ML?
Junior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 50
Likes: 6
Ml350
realralfy or anyone. I also bought a used 2009 ML320 cdi without a hitch. Great deal until I called the dealer yesterday to ask about a hitch. $4000 by the time it is on the truck with taxes in. This is in Ontario. Required hitch, harness, SAM card, new bumper cover and the piece under.
Did the $850 kit include the wiring harness? Realralfy what modification did you have to do to the bumper cover and the piece under to make them fit after you installed the hitch? Any chance you could send a photo? Thanks
Did the $850 kit include the wiring harness? Realralfy what modification did you have to do to the bumper cover and the piece under to make them fit after you installed the hitch? Any chance you could send a photo? Thanks
Doesnt need the new bumper cover, just cut yours, yes you need the hitch, the arms, the rear sam plus programming, and 2 harness 1 for the electrical and lights and one for trailer brakes. $850 doesnt include the wiring
If someone wants the instructions PM me as I have them.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2000Ml320
