Mounting Oris hitch on 2009 ML 320 Bluetec
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: St. Paul, MN
2009 ML320 Bluetec 4Matic
Mounting Oris hitch on 2009 ML 320 Bluetec
After several hours of research, we located the Oris OEM hitch through ecstuning and saved ourselves nearly $200.00. And thanks to Eric Smith, from Smith Motors,
the diagrams and installation instructions made the job a lot easier. The ADDBLUE reservoir limits your selection of hitches to this Oris unit. I layed on the ground in the dealers lot and found this same hitch on the GL350 Bluetecs as well.
Any way, it took 2.5 hours for a hitch specialist to disassemble (rear lights, liners and facia) and install the new hitch. Kudos to ELK RIVER RV--those guys have over 80 years of combined experience in this area. The most difficult part is removing the rear bumper facia. ,especially the two long nuts embedded in the recessed hole on both sides near the corner of the wheel well. So I thought I'd post a few pics showing where these two mounting nuts are hidden.
This Oris unit is one of the sturdiest hitch/bumpers I've ever seen and it can haul a boat or trailer with ease. Don't compromise with one of those bolt-to-the-bumper mounted hitches, especially since the original bumper is made of aluminum.
The next step is dealing with the rear SAM and the wiring harness (Word to the wise...finding the wire harness can be interesting because the MB dealer does not sell the harness separately, you have to buy the hitch AND the harness as a package deal-eo) Ready to rock n' roll
the diagrams and installation instructions made the job a lot easier. The ADDBLUE reservoir limits your selection of hitches to this Oris unit. I layed on the ground in the dealers lot and found this same hitch on the GL350 Bluetecs as well.Any way, it took 2.5 hours for a hitch specialist to disassemble (rear lights, liners and facia) and install the new hitch. Kudos to ELK RIVER RV--those guys have over 80 years of combined experience in this area. The most difficult part is removing the rear bumper facia. ,especially the two long nuts embedded in the recessed hole on both sides near the corner of the wheel well. So I thought I'd post a few pics showing where these two mounting nuts are hidden.
This Oris unit is one of the sturdiest hitch/bumpers I've ever seen and it can haul a boat or trailer with ease. Don't compromise with one of those bolt-to-the-bumper mounted hitches, especially since the original bumper is made of aluminum.
The next step is dealing with the rear SAM and the wiring harness (Word to the wise...finding the wire harness can be interesting because the MB dealer does not sell the harness separately, you have to buy the hitch AND the harness as a package deal-eo) Ready to rock n' roll
