:( UPDATE and bad news if you are pulling with a Mercedes GL450 (or similar Mercedes).
This is an update to my 2012 experiences pulling 6000# Kodiac 242resl Travel Trailer with my 2010 MB GL450. The Andersen WDH performed flawless and I am still a recommender. It's Mercedes Benz that is sneaky and dishonest and for that I got to pay $2800 when their auto level suspension failed.
In the beginning, when I inquired and researched the MB tow capabilities, the message was tow under the 7200# GVWR and keep the hitch weight no more than 600#. Lastly, MB is a European mfg and they don't offer different values when using a WDH. No problem, I stayed under those values and did multiple CAT weighs along the way. I used the Andersen primarily for anti-sway and it was great. So what went wrong?
I now know that the MB self-level uses a front airbag suspension that cannot be disabled. A WDH by design attempts to leverage weight back to the front axle and the Andersen did as it was supposed to, but unfortunately that overstressed the MB system which in effect, fought against.
So after towing about 15,000 miles with the MB GL450, we retired and bought a 3/4ton truck and a 5th wheel. About 6 mo. later, MB right airbag failed, 3 mo. after that the left bag failed. I am convinced, that though it was a very comfortable tow, it wasn't a good idea. MB should have been more explicit, if not in their ads, perhaps when I discussed my plans with their customer service engineering group!
It's behind me now. I still have the car and the airbags, brakes, differential and transmission have all been serviced and inspected. I am keeping the car cause it's a great SUV, just not a good TV.
