Mercedes GL/ML as a tow vehicle

[murreywalker]

Originally Posted by mstephens

We stopped yesterday to look at a 2011 GLK350. Salesman said "no way" to towing 5800# FC25. He said GL450 at least. Not wanting to get into another marginal or questionable situation, I passed on the idea. But, it's nice to see others have made it work so well. It was a fine looking car.

The salesman did you a big favor. If he really knows his fleet, he would say the same with the GL 450.

I towed my old 23 with two different GLs; one a blutec and the other a 450. There are those who post in this forum who will tell you that you can tow a 31 with the retrofit from hitch specialists.

What I haven't seen in the way of posts is any comments WRT to the task any trailer 25ft and longer will put on the transmission.

Call MB USA and ask them. I did, and you talk about being their techs being evasive.

The 23 I towed with my two GL's told me enough (WRT the transmission) to convince me that I needed an upgrade.

[boomerBear]

The weight in Canada for the ML320 cdi is 7400lbs the same in Europe. In US is 5000lbs. How can that be if they are both built in Alabama. Maybe the ML500 is different? I visited my tech at the Mercedes dealer to discuss given the Classic we have would be over if filled. He was not concerned and said that it could tow more not to worry.

[StokerDoc]

Picked up our new 2014 GL 350 BlueTec yesterday. Very nice vehicle. Love the adaptive cruise control option. Matches traffic speed if slower than set point, accelerates back up once way is clear. Heck, it even will bring the vehicle to a complete stop, if traffic stops, and hold it there until you press the accelerator once traffic moves, then it takes over again. Way cool.

Spent some time adjusting the hitch. Had to raise the head 2.5" to bring it back to proper ball height compared to the Tundra. Mounted the Prodigy RF brake controller, but couldn't get the hand controller to pair, so a call to tech services tomorrow. Some others have said they had to pair using a different vehicle, then it worked. Weird. So once I get the brakes working, I'll run to the scales and get it dialed in. Looking forward to our first trip of the season coming up Easter weekend. If folks are interested, I'll post weights before and after.

Stephen

[jmcarter]

Tech support was very helpful when my GL became unpaired (MB service had checked the SAM module) and it wouldn't pair back up. Had 2-3 bouts of frustration and then they sent me a brand new Prodigy RF. Before exchanging the unit on my AS I plugged in the new handheld controller and was able to pair up immediately so apparently the simple solutions work sometimes. They reported very few component failures (they are pretty simple devices after all) so be prepared for them to run you through some troubleshooting before being willing to send you a new unit. Also, the LED running lights are often the culprit since they don't have enough resistance for the GL SAM to recognize the lamps. Sometimes the blinking LED's are so faint you might not even see them if you're just checking that the lights and turn signals are working. I sent you a PM as well.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by Chuck

I read recently that the newer Dodge Durango and Jeep GC are on the same "platform" as the ML.

what exactly does that mean?
It doesn't use the same power train...body looks different. So what are they talking about when they say "platform?"

/Barge

I went from a '98 ML to a '05 ML to a '12 Durango. We love the Durango. It feels very much like the MLs, with a bit more room, like a GL. Tows just as well.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

I went from a '98 ML to a '05 ML to a '12 Durango. We love the Durango. It feels very much like the MLs, with a bit more room, like a GL. Tows just as well.

Did you get the 6, or 8?

[Wayne&Sam]

8 in both the ML and Durango.

[Chuck]

Nice.
Its on my short list for a new tv...but sadly, rare on the used market. In any vehicle in this class, its tough to find one that has the correct mechanicals, without also including a whole bunch of superfluous bling (putting it out of my price range.).

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

I went from a '98 ML to a '05 ML to a '12 Durango. We love the Durango. It feels very much like the MLs, with a bit more room, like a GL. Tows just as well.

That's what I keep hearing. The Durango is on our list for the next vehicle.

[dkottum]

I understand the Durango/Grand Cherokee share the same or similar suspension design with the GL/ML from the earlier Mercedes ownership? Not surprising they would handle similarly, which apparently is quite well.

I was surprised and maybe a bit disappointed they don't offer the diesel in the Durango, which sets it apart from the others for towing and in fuel use.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by mstephens

We stopped yesterday to look at a 2011 GLK350. Salesman said "no way" to towing 5800# FC25. He said GL450 at least. Not wanting to get into another marginal or questionable situation, I passed on the idea. But, it's nice to see others have made it work so well. It was a fine looking car.

Just be careful not to fall into the trap of using the tow rating as a guided to determining towability.

On another forum I just read about a guy who towed his vintage 25' Airstream with a big Blazer. The Airstream weight was well within the tow rating of the Blazer yet a passing semi blew him off the road and he ended up jack knifed in the medium.

[StokerDoc]

I managed to trick the controller into pairing. I confirmed that I have 12v at the 7-pin connector on the GL, but no turn signals, brake light or running lights signal at the 7-pin when the trailer isn't connected. I guess the GL turns them off. That is what prevented pairing. The trailer umbilical needs to be unplugged from the brake module for pairing. Part of the pairing process is to push the brake pedal and send a brake light signal to the trailer mounted unit. So, using a 12v battery charger, some 14/2 household wire stuck in the brake module 7-pin connector, I rigged up power and ground wires to the trailer controller, started the pairing and when it asked for the brake pedal, touched the wire sticking out the brake light pin to 12v on the battery charger, viola, paired!!

Now that I know how to do it without a second vehicle with a 7-pin connector, I will buy the vehicle 7-pin connector, some wire, a couple alligator clips and a switch. I'll wire it up so I can use alligator clips to provide power from the trailer batteries into the 7-pin of the trailer module, and a switch to simulate brake light signal. I figure for $20 I can have a way to re-pair the unit on the road if for whatever reason it un-pairs. I may incorporate a switch to turn on the running lights for when parked in a campsite. Might be a fun way to add some character to the evening while sitting outside.

That allowed me to drive the setup to the scales for checking my WD adjustments from the previous Tundra settings. Next post.

Stephen

[StokerDoc]

In yesterday's post I had said I had raised the ball height 2.5" higher, well it worked out to more like 2". I left the head angle the same as the Tundra settings. I went to the scales and got my first set of numbers.

Truck and driver only: front axle 1350 Kgs, rear axle 1350 Kgs. Gotta love the Germans designers and their desire for a 50/50 weight balance. From the door placard, 1550 Kgs max front axle, 1800 Kgs max rear angle. GVWR 3250 Kgs.

Truck, driver and trailer: front axle 1330 Kgs, rear axle 1760 Kgs, trailer 2800 Kgs. Trailer didn't have food or clothing, but a full tank of water. Not too bad for my first attempt. I noticed the trailer was nose up an inch. 18" bottom of front frame by the coupler to ground, 16" bottom of rear frame just forward of bumper to ground. Here is a picture of the rig:

[StokerDoc]

Armed with the above numbers, I lowered the ball height 1 hole, approx. 1", and tilted the head back 1 notch to transfer more weight to the front axle of the TV.

Off to the scales again. They are close and work even when unmanned.

Truck, driver and trailer, no food or clothing full tank of water:
Front axle 1480 Kgs, rear axle 1540 Kgs, trailer 2880 Kgs. Pretty good numbers. I still have 230 Kgs (506 lbs) of payload left for the wife and a couple of kids. The trailer is now level, 17" front and rear bottom of trailer frame to ground. I did notice the cams don't sit in the saddles of the WD bars perfectly anymore. So, I'm off to find some bigger wrenches to adjust the cam length.

Here is picture after the adjustments:

[Andrew T]

Your set up looks good except for the long cast iron Reese shank.

If you go to a local RV Dealer have them order an Eaz-Lift brand shank for you. The rest of your Reese hitch will bolt to it. The Eaz-Lift shank is considerably shorter and can be redrilled at a machine shop to make it shorter still. The reduction in overhang adds considerably to your stability, is easier on the hitch receiver and improves the ride. If it is easier for you we can send you one predrilled for the GL.

I hope this helps.

Andrew T

[Andrew T]

I have an interesting story on Mercedes service for you from about 4 or 5 years ago.

Some folks from Texas who never RV'd before bought a 19' Airstream to tow behind their GL diesel. They had the previous generation lighter receiver and unfortunately the Airstream dealer set them up with an Equalizer brand hitch which is brutal on receivers. In three trips they broke 3 hitches and Mercedes said they must be doing something wrong and they were not going to warranty any more hitches.

The customer went back to the dealer and asked what he should buy instead to tow with and again unfortunatley the dealer recomended a 3/4 ton deisel 4x4 Dodge pickup. The headed out on a trip to the north west with the Airstream and hated the ride and handling and climbing in an out of the Dodge. I guess when all you have driven is MB's for years it is a tough switch.

In a campground in Colorado they saw one of our clients towing an 30' with a 300 Chrysler and had to find out how they did it. They flew back to Texas, picked up their GL and drove up to see us to have the hitch reinforced. We also supplied them with an Eaz-Lift WD and showed them how to adjust it. They went back to Colorado, picked up the Airstream, stored the Dodge and continued on their trip.

When they returned to Texas they wrote a letter to MB's saying that they were a little disapointed that they had to drive to Canada to get a proper hitch on their $70,000 SUV. He said it was not a threatening letter, just wanted to get it off his chest. MB called him and asked for the a copy of their bill of sale for the Dodge the keys and ownership and sent him a check for the full price of the Dodge and picked it up in Colorado. I thought that was pretty good of Mercedes, I doubt many other manufactures would go to that degree to look after a customer.

Anyway I thought you might find that interesting.

Andrew T

[dkottum]

Andrew T

Any experience with the new GLK 250 Blu Tec?

Am wondering about it's capabilities for a late model mid-size Airstream, say 25/27?

[StokerDoc]

Andrew

I've planned a trip east this July and I was planning on stopping at your shop to have your staff reinforce the hitch and tune the setup.

Right now with the current shank, I can open and close the rear tailgate. After a shorter shank, no more of that. Small price to pay for better stability, better ride and longer life, equipment and people.

I have a couple local camping trips planned before the long drive east. I'm hoping it will be fine until I can get to your shop on 18 July 2014?

Stephen

[andreasduess]

The GLK is yet another car that is higher rated in Europe. MB's German site rates it at 5291lbs, in the US and Canada it is rated at 3500lbs.

The German site lists the weight in kg, 2400 to be exact. Not bad for a four cylinder engine.

[GGB]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Andrew T

Any experience with the new GLK 250 Blu Tec?

Am wondering about it's capabilities for a late model mid-size Airstream, say 25/27?

Here is a link to an article by Andy T and the GLK 250 Bluetec.

RV Lifestyle - Vol. 42 No. 3 go to page 6 where the article starts.


Hope the link works.