R350 2008 Trailer Hitch
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Joined: Jul 2010
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2010 E350, 2010 ML350
R350 2008 Trailer Hitch
I installed an after marker trailer hitch on my '08 and it works fine. Today I saw an R with a built-in trailer hitch. The hitch receiver was inline with the exhaust tips and the 2" and recessed into the lower gray fender skirt. Looked real sharp.
My after market hitch is below the fender skirt (not recessed) and the receiver is well below the exhaust tips.
Does anyone know if the 2009 R had a factory hitch option? and if so, do you think that the factory hitch and lower fender skirt can fit my '08?
Luckily I do not need the hitch electrical hookup as I only use it for a bicycle rack.
Thanks
My after market hitch is below the fender skirt (not recessed) and the receiver is well below the exhaust tips.
Does anyone know if the 2009 R had a factory hitch option? and if so, do you think that the factory hitch and lower fender skirt can fit my '08?
Luckily I do not need the hitch electrical hookup as I only use it for a bicycle rack.
Thanks
Last edited by lsp85; Nov 14, 2010 at 02:49 PM. Reason: spelling
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From: Vancouver, BC
AMG C36, 2010 R350 BlueTEC 4-Matic
My 2010 has it. And I believe the 2009's do too. The hitch can also be installed by dealers. The 2009/2010 fender skirts have a "knockout" for the hole for the hitch. No new fender skirt is necessary for those years, at the very least.
The wiring is also integrated into the car. Simply plugging in the trailer also tells the car to:
1. Monitor all of the trailer lights.
2. Shut off the rear proximity sensor (so the alarm doesn't go off every time you back the trailer to the left or right)
3. Alter the Stability Control programming to compensate for, and monitor the trailer for excessive swaying.
The wiring is also dealer installable.
The wiring is also integrated into the car. Simply plugging in the trailer also tells the car to:
1. Monitor all of the trailer lights.
2. Shut off the rear proximity sensor (so the alarm doesn't go off every time you back the trailer to the left or right)
3. Alter the Stability Control programming to compensate for, and monitor the trailer for excessive swaying.
The wiring is also dealer installable.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2010
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2010 E350, 2010 ML350
Thanks Merc....
Its my belief that the frame and body style is the same for the '08 and '09 model years.
That being said, does anyone know if factory parts for an '09 (hitch, brackets, etc...) were ordered through MB, would they be able to be bolted on the '08 frame? I'm also assuming that in order to do that, an '09 fender skirt with knockout and cover would also have to be ordered to replace the '08 skirt.
Its my belief that the frame and body style is the same for the '08 and '09 model years.
That being said, does anyone know if factory parts for an '09 (hitch, brackets, etc...) were ordered through MB, would they be able to be bolted on the '08 frame? I'm also assuming that in order to do that, an '09 fender skirt with knockout and cover would also have to be ordered to replace the '08 skirt.
Last edited by lsp85; Nov 14, 2010 at 07:15 PM. Reason: typo
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From: Folsom, Ca
R KLASSE
Thanks Merc....
Its my belief that the frame and body style is the same for the '08 and '09 model years.
That being said, does anyone know if factory parts for an '09 (hitch, brackets, etc...) were ordered through MB, would they be able to be bolted on the '08 frame? I'm also assuming that in order to do that, an '09 fender skirt with knockout and cover would also have to be ordered to replace the '08 skirt.
Its my belief that the frame and body style is the same for the '08 and '09 model years.
That being said, does anyone know if factory parts for an '09 (hitch, brackets, etc...) were ordered through MB, would they be able to be bolted on the '08 frame? I'm also assuming that in order to do that, an '09 fender skirt with knockout and cover would also have to be ordered to replace the '08 skirt.
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 98
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From: Vancouver, BC
AMG C36, 2010 R350 BlueTEC 4-Matic
I believe the owner's manuals for pre-2009 cars specifically state that the R is not to be used for towing. Hitches were available as a factory option and as a dealer installed add on beginning with the 2009 model year. So, perhaps, the 2008 and the 2009+ have some structural differences?
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'10 CL550, '12 GL550
"Only going to mount a bike rack" is irrelevant in that context.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2010
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2010 E350, 2010 ML350
They didn't with the '08, but with the '09 they did. If the frames are the same for both years, then why wouldn't a OEM hitch work? Again, knowing that the lower fender skirt would have to be replaced for the hitch cutout.
Last edited by lsp85; Nov 15, 2010 at 10:22 PM. Reason: typo
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 98
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From: Vancouver, BC
AMG C36, 2010 R350 BlueTEC 4-Matic
