Towing Ball Coupling.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: Gresham, OR
2020 GLE 450
Towing Ball Coupling.
Just picked up my ML350 today with trailer hitch. The owners manual states on page 187 that "If you install a ball coupling other than the one delivered with the vehicle .......".
My vehicle did not come with a ball coupling and my dealer said he has yet to see one delivered with the vehicle. Has any one else's ML not have the ball coupling come with it?
Thanks
My vehicle did not come with a ball coupling and my dealer said he has yet to see one delivered with the vehicle. Has any one else's ML not have the ball coupling come with it?
Thanks
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Near Niagara Falls, Canada
2013 ML BLUETEC JULY 31
its under the floor in cargo area.......I understand they all have it.......ask Greg
Just how does one get to be a MB dealer these days cracker jacks or Kinder Surprise? too funny
Just how does one get to be a MB dealer these days cracker jacks or Kinder Surprise? too funny
Last edited by dougiebear; Sep 22, 2012 at 04:18 AM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Quebec-Canada
2013 ML-63 AMG- 2010 C350 4matic
Just picked up my ML350 today with trailer hitch. The owners manual states on page 187 that "If you install a ball coupling other than the one delivered with the vehicle .......".
My vehicle did not come with a ball coupling and my dealer said he has yet to see one delivered with the vehicle. Has any one else's ML not have the ball coupling come with it?
Thanks
My vehicle did not come with a ball coupling and my dealer said he has yet to see one delivered with the vehicle. Has any one else's ML not have the ball coupling come with it?
Thanks
Here is my take why there are free hitches. The lack of so many production parts like pano roofs, leather seats, lights, Curve Control... put so many workers on stand-by. Their foreman simply asked them to mount free hitches instead of gossiping on the job. If they asked me I would much appreciate a free Bose Audio System instead of that hitch.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
2013 ML350BTC
Could also be that the hitch augments the vehicle's safety in a rear collision. Or, that it helps protect the fuel tank in a rear collision. Or, that since the M-class is no longer body on frame that its just too expensive to mount one after production that will perform up to the 7200 lb towing capacity? But you're probably right, its to keep disgruntled employees from having too much time on their hands -- while just-in-time suppliers aren't.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,769
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Hitch accessories not included?
Just picked up my ML350 today with trailer hitch. The owners manual states on page 187 that "If you install a ball coupling other than the one delivered with the vehicle .......".
My vehicle did not come with a ball coupling and my dealer said he has yet to see one delivered with the vehicle. Has any one else's ML not have the ball coupling come with it?
My vehicle did not come with a ball coupling and my dealer said he has yet to see one delivered with the vehicle. Has any one else's ML not have the ball coupling come with it?
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Sep 23, 2012 at 03:01 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 271
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From: Howard Co MD
'13 ML350 Bluetec for work, E550 for pleasure, & ML350 for my wife
Odd that a 7200 lbs tow capacity vehicle comes equipped with a size normally used on 3500 or 6000 trailers.
I wonder how much a Mercedes OEM 2 5/16" Ball will cost?
I wonder how much a Mercedes OEM 2 5/16" Ball will cost?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,769
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Sep 24, 2012 at 11:49 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 271
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From: Howard Co MD
'13 ML350 Bluetec for work, E550 for pleasure, & ML350 for my wife
The US is a big place. Most trailers I've seen in my area tend to stop using the 2" standard at about 3000 lbs capacity. 2 5/16" is more the norm on 4 wheel trailers in the 7500 GVW range.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
What I meant by most common is that trailers under 3,500 predominate the market. However, from MB's standpoint the ball that comes stock must meet the maximum rating of the hitch, therefore the odd combination of the 2" ball with 1 1/4" shank. The 2 5/16" ball is rated at 6,000 with 1" shank or 14,000 with 1 1/4".
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
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From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
But the US ball is clearance on 2", and the Oz is clearance on 50mm. Just as well I am not likely to drop by and borrow your trailer.
They look the same so hopefully the shipments from China do not get confused.
Ian.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Ha! When we changed from the old 1 7/8" & 2 1/4" *****, I thought we adopted a world wide system.
But the US ball is clearance on 2", and the Oz is clearance on 50mm. Just as well I am not likely to drop by and borrow your trailer.
They look the same so hopefully the shipments from China do not get confused.
But the US ball is clearance on 2", and the Oz is clearance on 50mm. Just as well I am not likely to drop by and borrow your trailer.
They look the same so hopefully the shipments from China do not get confused.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
Likes: 4
From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
No not quite. Yours measured 1.992" as per pic, whereas mine is 1.960" which is 0.8mm (0.032") or the difference between 2" and 50mm.
Okay it may well work on the road, but one way it might squeal, the other way it would rattle real bad.
For your sake I hope it feels good to have bigger *****!
Okay it may well work on the road, but one way it might squeal, the other way it would rattle real bad.
For your sake I hope it feels good to have bigger *****!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,769
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
No not quite. Yours measured 1.992" as per pic, whereas mine is 1.960" which is 0.8mm (0.032") or the difference between 2" and 50mm.
Okay it may well work on the road, but one way it might squeal, the other way it would rattle real bad.
For your sake I hope it feels good to have bigger *****!
Okay it may well work on the road, but one way it might squeal, the other way it would rattle real bad.
For your sake I hope it feels good to have bigger *****!
