Mercedes GL 450 as a Tow Vehicle

[Tarcoola]

Looking for some advice. After spending a lot of time reading Air Forums think I'm in the right place. The GL 450 has a maximum trailer load is 7,500 lbs and the maximum tongue weight is 600 lb. The AS 26U is 7600 lbs GVWR (although don't see us towing it any way near the max) and a max hitch weight weight of 900 lbs. Have been told the E2 Equalizer hitch will increase tongue weight to 1000 lbs so it should be well within the range.

Has anyone had any experience towing a 26/27 AS with a GL450 and any advice on load and hitch weight would be appreciated.

[Mrjkq]

My AS 25 is actually 25'11" so I guess it's ok to call it a 26 ft trailer. I too use the equalizer WD hitch set up & with my truck it's a perfect match. Now to your question, the ball assembly is extremely heavy & along with the bars & brackets it adds close to 100 lbs, do the math and you're correct.

[Tarcoola]

Hi Mrjkq, thanks for the response. Wow!! those hitches are heavy. So if I add the hitch weight to the trailer tongue weight I'm over the limit? Is that how it's calculated?

[Mrjkq]

Originally Posted by Tarcoola

Hi Mrjkq, thanks for the response. Wow!! those hitches are heavy. So if I add the hitch weight to the trailer tongue weight I'm over the limit? Is that how it's calculated?

Technically yes but proper loading of you AS can overcome that meaning put heavy stuff in the rear of your trailer keeping the front light and that counter balances a heavy tongue. Not the perfect solution but for just a hundred pounds it works.

Personally I feel towing anything over 25 ft with a short wheel based vehicle can be risky depending on the vehicle & hitch set up. A Hensley or ProPride hitch would serve you well & make the tow safe.

[RinconVTR]

Right or wrong, I stopped adding in the weight of WDH hitches because most of their added weight is distributed. I didn't realize how much until I hit the scales multiple times with various loading.

Most typical WDH hitches weigh 70-100lbs.

The Henley and Propride weigh a tick over 200lbs.

Here's how the Hensley breaks down precisely;
Head unit = 99lbs (boxed)
Hitch bar = 71lbs (boxed, and can vary by drop distance)
WDH bars = 54lbs (boxed)

[dkottum]

Excellent tow vehicle according to many.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...50-134454.html

[Wayne&Sam]

I tow a 25' with a Dodge Durango which is the same platform as the GL. I'm very happy with it.


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[Tarcoola]

Great feedback, appreciated. Also the link to the previous GL 450 thread really helped. Missed that during a previous search. My 2011 GL has a 335HP 4.6L V8, not sure how that compares to the 2015 360HP 3.0L V6 in that thread. Pointing me towards Hensley and Propride hitches was great. Sounds like a call Andy at Can-Am would also be a good use of time. I pull trailers and fertilizer spreaders around the ranch with my 2003 Tahoe (200K miles) but a 26U AS on the open road is so much more complicated. Lot to learn before me move ahead with the AS purchase.

[sroach]

Tarcoola,

I tow a International 23FB with the ML350 (2015) same towing capacities and I don't have issues. I use a reese WD hitch and it works great. I wish there was a better long term mirror solution. I use the strap on mirrors and they get by, but I wish I had pull out mirror like most pickup trucks have.

My trailer is 6000lbs and again no issues at all.

[dkottum]

sroach, we just made a long cross-country trip with Milenco Aero tow mirrors and they are the cat's meow. Steady, excellent visibility and takes about a minute to put them both on or remove them. I was going to put on factory tow mirrors but wouldn't waste the extra money after seeing these work.

[sroach]

Hmmm.. I will go google those now. Also, I didn't know you could buy factory tow mirrors.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by sroach

Hmmm.. I will go google those now. Also, I didn't know you could buy factory tow mirrors.

Should have said we put the Milenco Aero tow mirrors on our Ram 1500 truck rather than the much more expensive factory tow mirrors.

[rostam]

Originally Posted by sroach

Tarcoola,

I tow a International 23FB with the ML350 (2015) same towing capacities and I don't have issues. I use a reese WD hitch and it works great. I wish there was a better long term mirror solution. I use the strap on mirrors and they get by, but I wish I had pull out mirror like most pickup trucks have.

My trailer is 6000lbs and again no issues at all.

sroach,

Per recommendation of a forum member (SafariSS), we use REPUSEL towing mirrors on our GL 350 and are happy with it.

http://www.amazon.com/REPUSEL-univer...towing+mirrors

I also agree that integrated tow mirrors on trucks are much more convenient than strap on mirrors. Unfortunately, that option is not available. The "tow package" for German diesel SUVs lacks a brake controller.

[bono]

I would check whether there is any OEM / OE option for towing mirrors for GL in Europe. I am buying towing mirrors for BMW X5, which are not available in the US. These are manufactured by EMUK and you can save some money buying EMUK brand vs. BMW sticker on EMUK product.