Mercedes GL/ML as a tow vehicle

[John&Vicki]

I posted here a year or so ago about my 2006 ML500, Blue Ox and '90 25' Excella and thought I would provide an update. We're at about 15,000 miles now with no problems whatsoever. Plenty of power, no sway ever, decent gas mileage (13mph). I would like to have the hitch reinforced a la Andy but haven't done so yet. I have Mercedes inspect it at every service interval and so far it's rock solid.

It's very fortunate for us that this works so well as I didn't buy a trailer and choose a TV. We already had the ML and one of the specs in buying a trailer was one that the ML could handle. The 5,000lb '90 Excella has turned out to be perfect.

Cheers,
John

[rostam]

Originally Posted by SafariSS

Repusel brand from Holland. Model here is Luminox extended and convex. Bought em on Amazon.

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it.

[jmcarter]

Safari, did you try the Milenco mirrors? Mine have about 30,000 miles on them and don't seem to work loose and the clamps fit neatly in the very narrow gap between bottom of mirror and the mirror housing (clamps on bottom).

[SafariSS]

JMCarter,

Look at the first pic on the first page of this thread and you will see the Milencos were the first mirror I used. Mine worked great for about a year and then I lost both of them while towing separately on the same trip! The clamping mechanism started to have less grip on the mirror flange despite being clean etc. I was going to buy another pair but they were back ordered, so I went on the hunt for another brand.

The Repuesles are super good quality, a bit expensive though.

[TRIPPPIN]

My 2014 ML with 20 inch wheels Airmatic suspension is showing signs of tire wear down the center of the tire (more on the rear) which is only explained by over-inflation. I normally run 35psi front and rear empty, and 41psi front and 45psi rear while towing as recommended for maximum load. My weights are all under the limits on all axles but I am reluctant to reduce the tire pressures because I think that reduces the tire payloads. My Continental LX sport tires are the only one of two types that meet the Mercedes weight spec. 108H
Has anyone else experienced this wear problem on the ML? What tire pressure do you use versus the mfg. recommended tire pressure. Has anyone found a wider tire to fit the 20" rims that meet or exceed the weight requirements?

[Andrew T]

You can get the stock size for your ML in a Pirelli Scorpion Verde which I think you will find wears better than the continentals. The other option though is to change the size to P255/50R x 20 XL. This size will be more directionally stable and give you a little better fuel economy, it should also wear more evenly.

Andrew T

[SafariSS]

I run the Michelin M/S LTX and they wear incredible. On my GL350 I have 64k on the set and they have easy 30k left. Wear is flat, quiet on the road. They are not run flats, but all of those ride bouncy.

[TRIPPPIN]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

You can get the stock size for your ML in a Pirelli Scorpion Verde which I think you will find wears better than the continentals. The other option though is to change the size to P255/50R x 20 XL. This size will be more directionally stable and give you a little better fuel economy, it should also wear more evenly.

Andrew T

Thanks for the tip Andy. My ML actually came with those Pirellis when new and they were never able to balance them on my ML from day 1. 3 different sets of the same tire were put on under warranty in the first 10,000kms and Pirelli actually had my ML for 3 weeks trying to figure out why they would not work and in the end Pirelli Canada paid for a set of new Continental LX sport. Very unusual and MB assure me that there is nothing wrong with the ML. I will look into 255/50 20XL.

[TRIPPPIN]

[QUOTE=SafariSS;1932935]I run the Michelin M/S LTX and they wear incredible. On my GL350 I have 64k on the set and they have easy 30k left. Wear is flat, quiet on the road. They are not run flats, but all of those ride bouncy.[/QUOTE

Are you on 21 inch rims? Mine are on 20 X 9 inch rims.

[SafariSS]

Rollin on 20 inchers...wear like iron.

[Mergatroyd]

Tires are a tradeoff. If you get a tire with soft rubber it has more traction and handles better, but it wears out a lot faster. My original Continental were awesome but the Alaska highway ate them up. I could only find Toyo's to fit my car in British Columbia. They're a great tire in all respects except they are quite noisy.

[TRIPPPIN]

Fantastic! What tire pressure do you run while towing and not towing? I think 45 rear 41 front for my tire may be too high. Do you have Airmatic? I have Michelin on every vehicle including my Airstream without any troubles and was told no Michelin was available for the ML. What size tire do you have? You may have seen my prior post regarding balance issues - the Pirelli tires would balance on the rim and were unbalanced on the vehicle. I am thinking of going with 255/50/20 as Andy recommends and it is available in Michelin Defender LTX here in Canada.

[switz]

Have run Michelin tires on my 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI wheels since new. It came with them. When towing, I run them at 44 psi front and rear.

[kellykellyi]

I am very disappointed to have had my 2014 GL350 bought back my MBZ per the guidelines of the California Lemon Laws. I loved it but had started having problems at 17k miles. I have no idea what vehicle to replace it with as a tow vehicle and a daily driver. Argh. I have been driving my daughters car for weeks since I had to surrender the vehicle. [emoji35]