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I own the vehicle and there is no way I would consider pulling anything over 3,500 lbs with this ML.
I towed my 4,400 lb 18 ft camper trailer from Atlanta to Alaska and back (~10k miles) on the AlCan Highway with my factory hitched ML350BTC last summer, and it was a breeze. Fuel consumption went way down to 15 mpg on diesel;but other than that, the ML never broke a sweat.
The attached photo was taken along the Valdez Highway, which has some very nice grades; and reminds me a lot of Switzerland.
Still thrilled with my ML. Just drove to Fl, over 1200 miles towing a 2000# trailer and 500# of stuff in the car and got over 24MPG. Best part is, it handles the mountains like they weren't there. Awesome vehicle.
I also just drove to Naples Florida from Ontario and now back up to the panhandle (Cape San Blas) for a week before heading home. 2,000 miles so far and averaging 20.5 mpg doing 77-79 mph on the interstate. Vehicle totally loaded with luggage.
Not too bad for a big V8. This is one day of the trip...
Last edited by 2012MLBlue; Nov 16, 2015 at 10:43 AM.
The wife and I just bought an ML250....and our manual says it is rated for 7,200lbs towing. I suppose that rating could be accurate with weight distribution and a 30 mile tow on level ground to the local state park on a 45 mph county road.
I own the vehicle and there is no way I would consider pulling anything over 3,500 lbs with this ML.
When my 14' cargo trailer is loaded, it is tipping the scales at about 4,000 lbs. My 2014 Ram EcoDiesel 3.0L V6 Turbo is on the verge of being too little and it has a 9,200lb tow rating. I do not understand why these manufacturers are so generous with their tow ratings. Seems their lawyers would warn them otherwise.
If anyone plans to tow in Colorado, you best take that tow weight rating and divide by 2. And if you are pulling a 6,000 Camper....good luck at getting over Wolf Creek Pass and even better luck to you on the decent. You will burn your brakes up, as there is no way that little 2.1L will do any engine braking for you.
By the way, don't get me wrong....our ML250 is the best vehicle we have ever owned.....love, love it!!!!!
It's interesting about your experience with the Ram EcoDiesel. Don't know why it would be so much different from our ML350 Bluetec, which just waltzes over Wolf Creek. Descents are safe too if we "use lower gear" to start, as the signs caution.
We tow our 6,000 lb 27' travel trailer all over Colorado with no difficulties, and see no need to halve M-B's tow rating. We use a weight distributing hitch and the control is exceptional.
I, too am interested in hearing from somebody with actual ML250 towing experience, especially with a 6,000# tall travel trailer.
I'm bumping this post because I'm considering towing my Vette in a light weight enclosed aluminum trailer. Gross weight should be around 5000#. Maybe I will find someone with 250 towing experience. My gut says it'll be OK but I don't want to spend $15k on a trailer and then find out my tow vehicle won't cut it. It will be twice a year, to and from FL./Ohio.
Is there anyone in the world with ML250BT towing experience?
We are looking at buying a caravan with a mass of around 2.5T (5600 lb) and I am nervous if our 250 will tow it safely.
Good luck. I've been trying to get info for nearly a year, I gave up. My opinion though is, if that's is gross weight your close to the max. If it's net, you could have a problem. Anyway, I still love my car. Mostly what you will find here is info on replacing wiper blades, installing mudflaps, or misc. how to's.
Good luck. I've been trying to get info for nearly a year, I gave up. My opinion though is, if that's is gross weight your close to the max. If it's net, you could have a problem. Anyway, I still love my car. Mostly what you will find here is info on replacing wiper blades, installing mudflaps, or misc. how to's.
I guess it's worth another bump.
I would like to hear from somebody with experience towing a 6000# travel trailer with the new GLE 2.1 Turbodiesel.
Or ANY trailer approaching the tow rating, especially in the mountains.
The warranty on our 2010 ML350 Bluetec runs out next year and I really don't want to get the larger GLS, just to get the 3.0 L V6 if i don't have to.
Mercedes still has yet to release any diesels yet anyway. I am thinking it might not happen. Thanks VW. MB has low diesel sales but that is in part because the 250/300d has no power.
Originally Posted by mikapen
I guess it's worth another bump.
I would like to hear from somebody with experience towing a 6000# travel trailer with the new GLE 2.1 Turbodiesel.
Or ANY trailer approaching the tow rating, especially in the mountains.
The warranty on our 2010 ML350 Bluetec runs out next year and I really don't want to get the larger GLS, just to get the 3.0 L V6 if i don't have to.
Mercedes still has yet to release any diesels yet anyway. I am thinking it might not happen. Thanks VW. MB has low diesel sales but that is in part because the 250/300d has no power.
Thanks hutch300 for replying. What are you towing with your '15 ML250? Are you in an area of strong headwinds or mountains?
The little M-B diesel has better torque specs than many V8 gassers. Just wondering how that translates into towing experience.
I know from test driving the little ML (now GLE) diesel that it doesn't feel as stout as our ML350 BT, but without hooking up and towing it's impossible to know.
There are plenty of new '17 diesels built and being held at various places - just under more scrutiny by the Feds and CARB. Our dealer has sold units that have been held since about July. So the sales numbers don't reflect demand.
I would like to hear from somebody with experience towing a 6000# travel trailer with the new GLE 2.1 Turbodiesel.
Or ANY trailer approaching the tow rating, especially in the mountains.
The warranty on our 2010 ML350 Bluetec runs out next year and I really don't want to get the larger GLS, just to get the 3.0 L V6 if i don't have to.
As a suggestion, see if there are any trailer rental places near you and see if they would let you take one out for an hour or so. Not a direct comparison, but I have a gas '16 GLE350, rated to tow 7200lbs. Last month I was towing a 30' travel trailer that was about 6300lbs. All water tanks were empty, both propane tanks full, we didn't have anything inside, and I was using a Tekonsha brake controller. 90+ degree day and some uphill, I must say I wasn't 100% comfortable. Didn't feel unsafe nor was there any swaying but next time would probably go with something a lil shorter and a lil lighter.
I too miss the 6 cylinder diesel but even when the feds do approve the diesels for MB, next hurdle would be MBUSA deciding to allow a GLE350d in the US. Interesting that they did file the name "GLE350d" earlier this year but so far nothing has come of it. BMW received approval for their diesels over a month ago. Last I heard you could order the cars but BMWUSA still wasn't taking orders yet for the X5 35d. My local dealer is allowing people to configure the X5's now and they's expecting pricing and the order banks to open by the end of September.
I already have a 27', 6000# trailer that I tow with our ML350BT. It's perfectly capable, and with the WDH and sway controls, it's very stable.
I know the 350 gas engine doesn't tow nearly as well as the 3.0 Diesel.
I guess another way to ask a question would be:
Has anybody used both the new 2.1L diesel and the 3.5L gas engine? Does the little diesel pull better than the 3.5L gasser?
Old thread, but here’s my experience — I’ve towed a fully loaded tandem axle U-haul trailer across the country a few times. The ML250 handled it no problem.
I also have a tandem axle car trailer that I want to tow that is loaded with a ‘59 Vette (in pieces). The trailer probably weighs more than the Vette. I talked to my tech (who pretty much has a stable of MB vehicles and does a lot of towing, etc) and he said I’d have no problem towing the car trailer (the car trailer’s electric brakes are no longer working).
My next bigger trailering I’m looking to do is a ready mix concrete trailer with about 1 yard of concrete. I won’t be going far or fast. We’ll see. The rental place may not approve my vehicle.
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