2010 ML 550 Tow Hitch
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2010 ML 550 Tow Hitch
Good day. New to the forum and hopefully soon to be new to Benz ownership. I am looking at purchasing a 2010 ML550 with air suspension but no factory tow hitch…. We need towing capability. What are my options, are there even any options available now? I have heard that the oem hitch parts are NLA. Is this true? Tow capability is a must, we tow a cargo trailer with two motorcycles in it to go to car and bike shows and rallies.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Originally Posted by CaribooBC;[url=tel:9060243
9060243[/url]]Good day. New to the forum and hopefully soon to be new to Benz ownership. I am looking at purchasing a 2010 ML550 with air suspension but no factory tow hitch…. We need towing capability. What are my options, are there even any options available now? I have heard that the oem hitch parts are NLA. Is this true? Tow capability is a must, we tow a cargo trailer with two motorcycles in it to go to car and bike shows and rallies.
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/13342
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
First search I did pulled up a receiver that fits. I’m sure more companies make them as well.
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/13342
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/13342
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Originally Posted by CaribooBC;[url=tel:9060346
9060346[/url]]This one will not fit ML’s with air suspension. The ML 550 that I am looking at has air suspension.
BUT, I think I found a used one on eBay that says it fits the ML550:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29673350326...yABEgID4vD_BwE
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Bummer… guess that was too easy to be true haha. Just plowed through a bunch of websites and don’t see anything that fits.
BUT, I think I found a used one on eBay that says it fits the ML550:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29673350326...yABEgID4vD_BwE
BUT, I think I found a used one on eBay that says it fits the ML550:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29673350326...yABEgID4vD_BwE
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Originally Posted by CaribooBC;[url=tel:9060499
9060499[/url]]The problem is that you have to run the VIN to see if the vehicle has air ride suspension, not all ML 500 or ML 550's came with air ride. The other issue is that I am in Canada..... this guy won't ship to Canada. I did run a search on Car-parts.com and was not successful. Found one in Calgary, about a 10 hour drive for me, but it was from a non-air ride. I will be going to talk to the service dept at my local MB dealer tomorrow. Kinda sucks. I also found a mint M-Class 6.2L AMG, that would be my first choice, but no hitch on it either. Who produces a 500+hp, 465 lb-ft vehicle without a tow hitch.... Thanks for looking for me, much appreciated.
Good luck in your search!
Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 122
Likes: 47
From: Buchanan, SK CANADA
2013 ML350 Bluetec
I put
on my 2013 ML with air ride. It doesn't specifically say it will fit your GL but I expect if it doesn't there are some that will. Its not going to be an easy install. That hitch sat on my workbench for several months before I finally tackled hanging it. For a while I was absolutely convinced that it simply would not fit. It required some "adjustment" to a couple of the bolt holes. I had to trim some of the heat shielding - not near as much as some YouTube nutters would have had me believe but definitely some trimming involved. I don't think you will have a DEF tank - if not that will be a huge plus. I actually warmed my tank with a heat gun to get it reshaped where the hitch fits up against it. I loosened the tank hangers, exhaust hangers and anything close to the various attachment points before I wiggled the hitch into place. Then I slowly tightened everything back and ended up with the hitch looking like it grew there.
I elected not to try to install the (ridiculously complicated) MB factory wiring harness. Instead I used a harness which does not directly connect to the factory wiring. Instead it draws its own power directly from the battery and uses inductive couplings to detect the various lights. It works flawlessly and hasn't impacted the (ridiculously complicated) MB wiring at all.
I elected not to try to install the (ridiculously complicated) MB factory wiring harness. Instead I used a harness which does not directly connect to the factory wiring. Instead it draws its own power directly from the battery and uses inductive couplings to detect the various lights. It works flawlessly and hasn't impacted the (ridiculously complicated) MB wiring at all.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 122
Likes: 47
From: Buchanan, SK CANADA
2013 ML350 Bluetec
The factory wiring system is ridiculously, needlessly complicated. Trailer wiring isn't rocket surgery. Its been around in various forms for close to 100 years now. I bought a Bargman inductive system which is also available under Tekonsha branding and probably others as well. Its inductive so it makes absolutely no direct contact with the car wiring. It cost me just a shade under 300 canuck bux and took maybe 3 hours to install from the time I pulled the car into the shop until I pulled it out with everything buttoned up again. The system pulls its power from the rear fuse box and senses the electrons moving inside little clip on wire channels. All you need to do is get access to each rear light assembly and run the power wire up to the fuse box.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Originally Posted by bobofthenorth;[url=tel:9065150
9065150[/url]]Ah, no. Actually it isn't even a little bit critical.
The factory wiring system is ridiculously, needlessly complicated. Trailer wiring isn't rocket surgery. It’s been around in various forms for close to 100 years now. I bought a Bargman inductive system which is also available under Tekonsha branding and probably others as well. Inductive so it makes absolutely no direct contact with the car wiring. It cost me just a shade under 300 canuck bux and took maybe 3 hours to install from the time I pulled the car into the shop until I pulled it out with everything buttoned up again. The system pulls its power from the rear fuse box and senses the electrons moving inside little clip on wire channels. All you need to do is get access to each rear light assembly and run the power wire up to the fuse box.
The factory wiring system is ridiculously, needlessly complicated. Trailer wiring isn't rocket surgery. It’s been around in various forms for close to 100 years now. I bought a Bargman inductive system which is also available under Tekonsha branding and probably others as well. Inductive so it makes absolutely no direct contact with the car wiring. It cost me just a shade under 300 canuck bux and took maybe 3 hours to install from the time I pulled the car into the shop until I pulled it out with everything buttoned up again. The system pulls its power from the rear fuse box and senses the electrons moving inside little clip on wire channels. All you need to do is get access to each rear light assembly and run the power wire up to the fuse box.
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 117
Likes: 17
From: Colorado
ML350 bluetec and Mini Countryman S All4
I have a 350 w/o air ride and have noticed that all aftermarket hitch receivers are very low capacity (quality). The ones on eBay are junk yard pulls and some are not complete in the pictures. I then noticed that my bumper cover does not accommodate a hitch. So I spoke to a local weld shop and they said they would be happy to build a custom hitch, at full tow capacity, for about the same cost as having a shop instal the cheap one.
My suggestion: get one made by a reputable weld shop.
My suggestion: get one made by a reputable weld shop.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 114
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2006 R500
Ah, no. Actually it isn't even a little bit critical.
The factory wiring system is ridiculously, needlessly complicated. Trailer wiring isn't rocket surgery. Its been around in various forms for close to 100 years now. I bought a Bargman inductive system which is also available under Tekonsha branding and probably others as well. Its inductive so it makes absolutely no direct contact with the car wiring. It cost me just a shade under 300 canuck bux and took maybe 3 hours to install from the time I pulled the car into the shop until I pulled it out with everything buttoned up again. The system pulls its power from the rear fuse box and senses the electrons moving inside little clip on wire channels. All you need to do is get access to each rear light assembly and run the power wire up to the fuse box.
The factory wiring system is ridiculously, needlessly complicated. Trailer wiring isn't rocket surgery. Its been around in various forms for close to 100 years now. I bought a Bargman inductive system which is also available under Tekonsha branding and probably others as well. Its inductive so it makes absolutely no direct contact with the car wiring. It cost me just a shade under 300 canuck bux and took maybe 3 hours to install from the time I pulled the car into the shop until I pulled it out with everything buttoned up again. The system pulls its power from the rear fuse box and senses the electrons moving inside little clip on wire channels. All you need to do is get access to each rear light assembly and run the power wire up to the fuse box.
The most important safety feature is that it activates Mercedes' trailer sway control system. It uses the front brakes independently to reduce swaying when it detects it.
Second is disabling automatic lowering at highway speeds for Airmatic cars. This is important for keeping the hitch height correct and the trailer level.
Third is an alternate mapping of shift points. The car will rev higher and shift later when towing.
Less useful but nice to have features are automatic disabling of the rear parking sensors if equipped and trailer light detection.
