What is recommended for a MB GL 450?

[BP1]

All,
I have a 2008 Mercedes Benz GL 450 that has a towing capacity of 7,000 gross weight. I am considering purchasing an Airstream Flying Cloud either new or a recent model. My question is I hope simple.
This will be my first time experience owning and towing an RV Trailer. It will be used primarily here in the East and Midwest bird hunting and for dog hunt tests. I will be traveling mostly alone with two large (70 lb. upland hunting dogs), maybe a kayak, and supporting gear. Of the two models I am considering one is the 23 foot trailer and the other is the 25 foot model.
One dealer salesperson said both are more than suitable given I will be traveling alone, another from a different dealer said no due to the "limitation" of wheel base on the GL 450.
Does anyone have any advice and insight as to which of the two (or both) is appropriate given what I have mentioned?
Best, BP

[SteveH]

Welcome to the forum.

The wheel base limitation the one dealer speaks of is the short wheelbase of your Mercedes, which has a tendency to allow the trailer to wag the tow, or sway. This can be prevented with a good sway elimination hitch like the ProPride.

There are many other anti-sway hitches available, but none will do what the ProPride or the Hensley will do in eliminating sway. The ProPride is a later version with improved features for hooking up and adjustability.

You would be fine towing either the 23 or the 25 with one of these hitches.

[withidl]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Welcome to the forum.

The wheel base limitation the one dealer speaks of is the short wheelbase of your Mercedes, which has a tendency to allow the trailer to wag the tow, or sway. This can be prevented with a good sway elimination hitch like the ProPride.

There are many other anti-sway hitches available, but none will do what the ProPride or the Hensley will do in eliminating sway. The ProPride is a later version with improved features for hooking up and adjustability.

You would be fine towing either the 23 or the 25 with one of these hitches.

I agree! See my avatar and do a search on "withidl".

[ddruker]

Hi BP,

Search the forum for "Mercedes GL" and you will find lots of information on towing with your GL. There are several of us on the forum with the combination of the GL and an Airstream. My 2011 Diesel GL 350 has proven to be an excellent tow vehicle. You will also find that Mercedes knows almost nothing about towing - any advice from your dealer is likely to be wrong / misleading - that's at least what many of us have found.

I'd also recommend you head over to the Mercedes owners forum, and read the posts about towing with the GL - GL Class (X164) - MBWorld.org Forums

Most important is to understand whether you need your hitch receiver reinforced before you attempt to tow an Airsream with your truck. With this vehicle, you need to be thinking about tongue weight as much as you are about trailer weight.

[BP1]

Thanks for the advice, in particular the factory installed hitch capacity.

[mutcth]

Rich Luhr, publisher of Airstream Life magazine, tows a 30' Safari with his GL320 Bluetec and a Hensley. He has a lot of miles on this combo and seems to be pleased with it. Reinforcing the hitch is important.

Tom