ML 350 towing stupid questions
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 13
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ML 350
ML 350 towing stupid questions
Hello all.
Sorry for the stupid newbie towing questions but after searching the prior posts here I am still confused.
I am searching for a 2010-2011 ML to replace my Explorer. I want as much towing capacity as I can get. Very few of the W 164s I have looked at have a hitch so I will likely have to add one.
So now for the list of stupid questions:
How can you tell if a hitch is factory installed?
How come Edmunds lists the ML towing capacity as 6000 lbs but they are equipped with 3500 lb class III hitches?
Does a factory hitch really make a difference by linking to a SAMS module and how does that get accomplished with an after market hitch?
It may be that the only practical way forward is to wait months+ for a suitable factory hitch ML to be located but I just fell in love with a beautiful non-hitch 2011.
Thank you for your help and tolerance. (I inadvertently post this first in the new members section)
Sorry for the stupid newbie towing questions but after searching the prior posts here I am still confused.
I am searching for a 2010-2011 ML to replace my Explorer. I want as much towing capacity as I can get. Very few of the W 164s I have looked at have a hitch so I will likely have to add one.
So now for the list of stupid questions:
How can you tell if a hitch is factory installed?
How come Edmunds lists the ML towing capacity as 6000 lbs but they are equipped with 3500 lb class III hitches?
Does a factory hitch really make a difference by linking to a SAMS module and how does that get accomplished with an after market hitch?
It may be that the only practical way forward is to wait months+ for a suitable factory hitch ML to be located but I just fell in love with a beautiful non-hitch 2011.
Thank you for your help and tolerance. (I inadvertently post this first in the new members section)
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
Factory hitch
The "factory" hitch is a dealer-installed option, so you should be able to get the real thing from a Mercedes store. But make sure you are sitting down when they tell you the price.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 541
Likes: 231
2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
The factory option was a ~$500 add on. To add it after the fact was going to be anywhere from $800 - $1200. Justification was a reprogram of the rear SAM. Supposedly it changes the ESP when a trailer is detected to compensate for trailer sway and other things that come with a trailer. Can't speak to aftermarket hitches as we purchased with the factory option but it is rated at 7700 pounds. We regularly tow around 4000 pounds with our Bluetec ML, handles it really well.
