What can it NOT do??


I had towed with the wagon before using a much lighter trailer with trailer brakes and it did fine.
I was a little concerned the wagon will struggle more with the uhaul trailer since it weighed more than the aluminum trailer I used, and the uhaul lacks trailer brakes.
It pulled up hills without issue.
Didn't sway like crazy.
As you can see the rear isn't sagging like crazy.

Fantastic. The only real concern is burning thru those $2000 brakes prematurely.
And if the Noble breaks, I unhitch the trailer and track the wagon.

Trailer is said to weigh 2210lbs.
Noble weighs 2350lbs.
Combined, for those bad at maths: 4560lbs.

Hitch is a Stealth hitch: https://stealthhitches.com/products/...r_2014~ly_s212


I love the Wagon.

 

Good thing brakes only cost $1k and not $2k

 

You must have gotten a deal on those parts.

Granted I was quoting a bit higher price, but add install, it's probably closer to $1500:
Front rotors ($398/ea) - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bra...mbo-2194210212
Rear rotors ($98/ea) - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...mer-2124230412

Front pads ($155/set) - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...trw-0064200720
Rear pads ($78/set) - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...gid-0054209020

 

Is it possible that the wagon doing the towing gets around the track faster than the vehicle on the trailer?

 

Not a chance, but doesn't mean it wouldn't be fun trying.

 

Sooo awesome! Congrats on it working so well. What is your tow limit?

 

I think Stealth hitches say 5000lbs tow capacity, with a tongue weight of 500lbs.

 

Nice setup man

 

Correct for the Stealth parts, but reduced for the Mercedes MY14 E-Class platform in Europe to maximum 3,750-4,630 lbs (1,700-2,100 kg) of braked load depending on model, and 1,653 lbs (750 kg) of unbraked load for all models. It is interesting that Stealth gives maximum 3,000 lbs gross trailer weight and 250 lbs tongue weight. By the Stealth measure, your scenario is over the towing capacity. I am sure it would not stop many of the forum visitors.

Oh, wait, did you say the U-Haul has no trailer brakes?

 

I saw that on their website, but they are just reiterating what Mercedes quotes for the E350.

Correct. Uhaul has no trailer brakes, just the emergency brake if the trailer breaks free.

My reasoning is,
The GLE350 is rated at 6600lbs
Weighs roughly 4800lbs My wagon weighs 4950lbs with me in it (175lbs).
Has 13" brakes vs 14" in the E63S.
333hp/354tq vs 577hp/590tq
Unibody design for both

Then the E63S towing less shouldn't be a problem. The only real difference between the E63S and the GLE appears to be the transmission -- GLE uses the 7spd Auto, while we get the DCT. The DCT is capable of towing as long as you don't creep in traffic.

 

Anyone launch Jet Ski's or Sea Doo's - does the back of the car have to go under water in the AMG?

 

Wearing a water-tight diaper might help.
It really depends on the trailer's ground clearance, trailer's length, and ramp's grade. Each case is unique. I would not want to back my AMG into water unless it is an SUV.

 

Fresh or salt?

I’d personally buy a beater as the tow vehicle in my area. The ramps of FULL of idiots so while I wouldn’t be concerned about water I would worry about increased chances of dings, dents and scratches.

 

how'd you get a hitch on your wagon? I read the exhaust interferes with the hardware

 

Precisely this part.

Sometimes I just park myself in a folding chair, with a cooler of beer, near some local ramps and just watch the show. Whole days worth of entertainment right there and if things are a little slow I can get some fishin' in.

 

Just did a 650mi trip towing with a Uhaul trailer.
This included climbing over 5-6% grade hills.
I could get it up to 80mph with some downshifting going uphill, but kept it around 70-75mph for most of the trip.
Had one semi-panic stop from 60mph... trailer moved more than I would have liked, but everything stopped in a reasonable amount of time and space, without too much braking effort.

Very very little sway. Partly due to most of the weight of the Noble sits directly over the axles on the trailer.
I wouldn't put a car that weighed more than 3000lbs on a uhaul trailer though and attempt to tow.

Active Lane Keeping Assist gets a little sketch as it brakes when you just touch the lines... and when trailering it made you ultra aware.
Blind Spot Assist should just be turned off, as it sensed the trailer every time you make a lane change.

I got roughly 13mpg the whole trip, with an average speed of 64mph.
Oil temps got up to 215F.
Water temps got up to 200F.
Ambient was mostly 60F the entire trip.
I pumped the tires up to 48psi.
Left the transmission in Comfort, since it also raises the rear suspension up 10mm, helping keep the trailer more level.

Wagon was a champ. Will like continue doing this, cause I also got to tow while getting a massage.

 

Scotsman, I'd like to follow your lead on this hitch. Did you have to do any modifications to that hitch to make it work on the E63? I expect you had to cut out the bottom of the bumper, right? Any other modifications to the car?

 

Yes... took it to a river. Didn't want to submerge the rear, so only got trailer in the water. Was able to push the jetski off, instead of just letting it float off. Was pretty easy and no issues. No bodywork touched the water.




Since these are both related:

Here are the install instructions: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/21...f?v=1628096916

There is a cut to the center diffuser "vane", as well as a bit of hidden plastic bits. The added benefit of having a vehicle that can tow far outweighed that minor cut to the bumper.

 

I checked with the MBdealer about a hitch.
They told me, hitch yes but only for a bike rack no trailer.
Apparently, the cooling capacity isn't up for the task and the clutch in the gearbox isn't made to handle it.
In Germany that is.

 

A few weeks ago, did another trip. Total of roughly 850 miles.
No issues whatsoever. The oil temps crept up to 220F during a 6% grade, but 220F is nothing to worry about.

The SO was driving when a tractor trailer upended itself and spewed across both lanes of a freeway (driver was ok)... which caused her to have to panic brake, on a down slope, on a slight bend.
The rig did fine, braked straight, slowed everything down with room to spare, and no brake fade at all. Was a little worried since the uhaul trailer lacks brakes, but nothing to worry about.

So far, got about 2000 miles worth of towing done. Oil analysis hasn't show any issues with either the engine or transmission. I checked the hitch and frame where it bolts up recently, all looks like the day it was installed.

Unrelated, 9sec ETs still evade me for the Noble. 10.7 is the best ET, best trap is 147mph. :/ I suck at drag racing.

 

The uhaul does have brakes. They are manual, activated through the trailer tongue by the weight of the vehicle/trailer, and not electric. The tongue has a "slide".

 

Hi, still towing with your wagon? I'm considering doing this with my 2012 e63 wagon. Thanks

 

Yep. Borrowed a friend's trailer to pick up an air-cooled 911 that I'm restoring. The trailer seemed heavier than the uhauls, but still no issues.



I am helping my brother do a renovation of his house, so, plan on hooking up a utility trailer to haul thousands of pounds of tile, grout, etc. It's been my workhorse.

 

great! thanks for the reply. any tips for towing? transmission mode? I did see comfort for suspension so the rear is a little higher.

Also, has the hitch rating changed? stealth shows 3500 lbs 350 lbs tongue weight

Hitch Towing Capacity

- 3,500 lbs - gross trailer weight (GTW)

- 350 lbs - tongue weight (TW)

Rack Receiver Capacity

- 350 lbs - 2" receiver (standard)

- 300 lbs - 1-1/4" receiver

 

It might have changed. With a uhaul trailer, I wouldn't tow anything more than say a S2000 worth of weight -- (ie. 2800lbs). That keeps the entire trailer weight at 5000lbs or less.
I check the hitch after each trip, just to make sure everything is still looking good, especially where it mounts to the chassis. And definitely check the receiver and ball at every stop. All have been good after about 9 trips so far, with 600miles being the longest tow.

I keep it in comfort for the suspension and the shifting. 2nd gear starts seem a bit smoother, and it shifts early to save on gas. Gas mileage goes from terrible (18mpg) to absolutely terrifying (12mpg).



Mind you, I'm only occasionally towing. If I was frequently towing, I'd buy a truck.
Mostly for extended race weeks. Renting a pick-up for a weekend is pretty cheap ($500 from enterprise). But for the events where I am out of town for a week, I will tow with the wagon.

edit: because maths.