Retrofit original tow hitch.
#1
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GLE450e 2024
Retrofit original tow hitch.
Hi
Intended to install an original mercedes tow hitch on me GLE450e
Bought almost all the pieces needed.
Found the chassi mount pieces do have a short arm that extends forward and should have a sideways bolt from inside the spare tire area.
Unfortunatly a 450e have a big battery there and block access to the holes.
As this reinforcment seem important i give up on installing my hitch.
I found in europe all alternative suppliers also have these reinforcment arms.
So i do belive this bolts should be there for any heavy tow.
The only thing i did not yet buy was the trailer tow control module 167 900 12 09 80
Online dealers sell this for $114
And once installer a dealer. Or independent with xentry access can add. The code 550 to activate the tow settings.
If anyone is interested i will sell my kit
Tow bar 167 310 25 00
Reinforment arms 167 310 05 00. And 167 31 06 00
7 pin trailer connector. 020 545 40 26
Nuts to mount the reinforcement arms N 000000 008299
Cable harness fusebox to tow module 167 540 12 09
Cable harness to the 7 pin connector 167 540 73 33
M14x1.25 40mm bolts of 10.9 strength
The tow bar is heavy and no idea of shipping cost
Like to ask $600 for the kit
Intended to install an original mercedes tow hitch on me GLE450e
Bought almost all the pieces needed.
Found the chassi mount pieces do have a short arm that extends forward and should have a sideways bolt from inside the spare tire area.
Unfortunatly a 450e have a big battery there and block access to the holes.
As this reinforcment seem important i give up on installing my hitch.
I found in europe all alternative suppliers also have these reinforcment arms.
So i do belive this bolts should be there for any heavy tow.
The only thing i did not yet buy was the trailer tow control module 167 900 12 09 80
Online dealers sell this for $114
And once installer a dealer. Or independent with xentry access can add. The code 550 to activate the tow settings.
If anyone is interested i will sell my kit
Tow bar 167 310 25 00
Reinforment arms 167 310 05 00. And 167 31 06 00
7 pin trailer connector. 020 545 40 26
Nuts to mount the reinforcement arms N 000000 008299
Cable harness fusebox to tow module 167 540 12 09
Cable harness to the 7 pin connector 167 540 73 33
M14x1.25 40mm bolts of 10.9 strength
The tow bar is heavy and no idea of shipping cost
Like to ask $600 for the kit
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Richard Nummi (07-09-2024)
#3
Senior Member
The only thing i did not yet buy was the trailer tow control module 167 900 12 09 80
Tow bar 167 310 25 00
Reinforment arms 167 310 05 00. And 167 31 06 00
7 pin trailer connector. 020 545 40 26
Nuts to mount the reinforcement arms N 000000 008299
Cable harness fusebox to tow module 167 540 12 09
Cable harness to the 7 pin connector 167 540 73 33
M14x1.25 40mm bolts of 10.9 strength
Tow bar 167 310 25 00
Reinforment arms 167 310 05 00. And 167 31 06 00
7 pin trailer connector. 020 545 40 26
Nuts to mount the reinforcement arms N 000000 008299
Cable harness fusebox to tow module 167 540 12 09
Cable harness to the 7 pin connector 167 540 73 33
M14x1.25 40mm bolts of 10.9 strength
#8
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former- 10&14 ML BlueTecs, 20 GLE450 E-ABC, 15 Cayenne D, 17 Macan
I know the 166 and 164 had internal reinforcements that were installed at the factory, but only if you ordered it originally, and they were difficult to retrofit.
The fact that MB no longer sells a retrofit hitch kit makes me wonder if you have identified all the parts that actually go into a full-on OE hitch.
I had a reinforcement done on my 164, which was essentially a strut from receiver base reaching back to the differential mount.
If I were in your situation, I think I would consider that reinforcement in to the pieces you have found.
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
One must take caution on a hitch retrofit on for the V167. There must be a valid reason why MB is not selling those as a retrofit anymore. One would think of the reinforcement required for the hitch just like on the previous GLEs.
#10
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GLE450e 2024
In europe there are multiple alternative hitches sold and a independent garage can even do the needed software update to activate tow functions. Without need for a dealer visit.
all of the alternative hitches are approved by authorities and do have this little reinforment arm.
all of the alternative hitches are approved by authorities and do have this little reinforment arm.
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Richard Nummi (08-01-2024)
#12
Stealth hitches in the US doesn't have the reinforcement bar but bolts on 4 each per side replacing the crash bar. I wonder if the oem replaces with reinforcement due to the hitch only using 2 bolts per side. 🤔
Last edited by himal2tin; 01-28-2024 at 12:56 AM.
#14
I have had stealth before on other car. May not be same capacity as OEM
#15
Junior Member
W167 Hitch Retrofit
Where/How do the reinforcement arms go? Seems like a simple pull the fascia, bolt it on deal. YouTube shows how to remount the aluminum bumper on top of the newly installed hitch. My W166 oem tow pack still has the aluminum oem bumper unlike the instructions for “replace the aluminum oem bumper with the hitch”.
the reinforcement arm(s) mount points aren’t shown anywhere I can find.
the reinforcement arm(s) mount points aren’t shown anywhere I can find.
#16
Junior Member
OEN hitch retrofit
I keep trying to find out what internal reinforcements might be made in the 167 cars.
I know the 166 and 164 had internal reinforcements that were installed at the factory, but only if you ordered it originally, and they were difficult to retrofit.
The fact that MB no longer sells a retrofit hitch kit makes me wonder if you have identified all the parts that actually go into a full-on OE hitch.
I had a reinforcement done on my 164, which was essentially a strut from receiver base reaching back to the differential mount.
If I were in your situation, I think I would consider that reinforcement in to the pieces you have found.
I know the 166 and 164 had internal reinforcements that were installed at the factory, but only if you ordered it originally, and they were difficult to retrofit.
The fact that MB no longer sells a retrofit hitch kit makes me wonder if you have identified all the parts that actually go into a full-on OE hitch.
I had a reinforcement done on my 164, which was essentially a strut from receiver base reaching back to the differential mount.
If I were in your situation, I think I would consider that reinforcement in to the pieces you have found.
#17
Junior Member
W167 OEM Tow Pack retrofit.
Also note from my research that the OEM Tow Pack has upgraded heavy duty springs. The part numbers are listed in the catalog as “HD Springs”.
QUOTE=Nisse;8906963]Hi
Intended to install an original mercedes tow hitch on me GLE450e
Bought almost all the pieces needed.
Found the chassi mount pieces do have a short arm that extends forward and should have a sideways bolt from inside the spare tire area.
Unfortunatly a 450e have a big battery there and block access to the holes.
As this reinforcment seem important i give up on installing my hitch.
I found in europe all alternative suppliers also have these reinforcment arms.
So i do belive this bolts should be there for any heavy tow.
The only thing i did not yet buy was the trailer tow control module 167 900 12 09 80
Online dealers sell this for $114
And once installer a dealer. Or independent with xentry access can add. The code 550 to activate the tow settings.
If anyone is interested i will sell my kit
Tow bar 167 310 25 00
Reinforment arms 167 310 05 00. And 167 31 06 00
7 pin trailer connector. 020 545 40 26
Nuts to mount the reinforcement arms N 000000 008299
Cable harness fusebox to tow module 167 540 12 09
Cable harness to the 7 pin connector 167 540 73 33
M14x1.25 40mm bolts of 10.9 strength
The tow bar is heavy and no idea of shipping cost
Like to ask $600 for the kit
[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=Nisse;8906963]Hi
Intended to install an original mercedes tow hitch on me GLE450e
Bought almost all the pieces needed.
Found the chassi mount pieces do have a short arm that extends forward and should have a sideways bolt from inside the spare tire area.
Unfortunatly a 450e have a big battery there and block access to the holes.
As this reinforcment seem important i give up on installing my hitch.
I found in europe all alternative suppliers also have these reinforcment arms.
So i do belive this bolts should be there for any heavy tow.
The only thing i did not yet buy was the trailer tow control module 167 900 12 09 80
Online dealers sell this for $114
And once installer a dealer. Or independent with xentry access can add. The code 550 to activate the tow settings.
If anyone is interested i will sell my kit
Tow bar 167 310 25 00
Reinforment arms 167 310 05 00. And 167 31 06 00
7 pin trailer connector. 020 545 40 26
Nuts to mount the reinforcement arms N 000000 008299
Cable harness fusebox to tow module 167 540 12 09
Cable harness to the 7 pin connector 167 540 73 33
M14x1.25 40mm bolts of 10.9 strength
The tow bar is heavy and no idea of shipping cost
Like to ask $600 for the kit
[/QUOTE]
#18
Junior Member
it’s those support arms… neither stealth nor Curt retrofit uses them. Both of the above are rated for 8000/800. Having not yet dug under the fascia… does someone have the tech manual showing the install of the support arms? Seems to me that the “the battery was in the way” or “had to slightly lift the battery” comments don’t make sense. Can’t you just tack weld it? Or alternatively… if neither stealth or Curt et. Al. Are using the support arms……WTH?
#19
Junior Member
OEM Tow Hitch Reinforcements
After snooping around and utilizing a little common sense, I figured out (from carefully examining the illustrations) where the reinforcements go. The original bumper bar attaches to empty cavities. the two reinforcement arms (167-310-05-00 and 167-310-06-00) plug into the cavity and then are bolted to the body from the side. Apparently you also need the gaskets if they aren't there already. None of the aftermarket folks apparently utilize these support brackets.
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mikapen (07-16-2024)
#20
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Join Date: Oct 2009
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former- 10&14 ML BlueTecs, 20 GLE450 E-ABC, 15 Cayenne D, 17 Macan
After snooping around and utilizing a little common sense, I figured out (from carefully examining the illustrations) where the reinforcements go. The original bumper bar attaches to empty cavities. the two reinforcement arms (167-310-05-00 and 167-310-06-00) plug into the cavity and then are bolted to the body from the side. Apparently you also need the gaskets if they aren't there already. None of the aftermarket folks apparently utilize these support brackets.
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
After snooping around and utilizing a little common sense, I figured out (from carefully examining the illustrations) where the reinforcements go. The original bumper bar attaches to empty cavities. the two reinforcement arms (167-310-05-00 and 167-310-06-00) plug into the cavity and then are bolted to the body from the side. Apparently you also need the gaskets if they aren't there already. None of the aftermarket folks apparently utilize these support brackets.