WDH - how much does it reduce tongue weight?
We've been told that a good load distribution hitch will redistribute as much as 30% of the tongue weight. The vehicle we want can tow 7500# but is limited to a tongue weight of 600#. If what we...
Forum Discussion
MargaretB wrote:
So we're stuck with 600#, huh?
Yup, no doubt whatsoever.
I'm not knowledgeable about MB, but I do note that Mercedes and BMW share a lot of specifications in a lot of ways, probably due to both being German companies. I have a BMW X5 diesel, which also has 600 lb tongue weight limit, and I note that the only place BMW mentions WD hitches is in the hitch installation instructions, where they forbid the use of a WDH. This, I understand, is due to the body/frame stresses that are higher with such a setup. I am told that in Europe, WDHs are not used, suggesting that it may be also true that a Mercedes ought not be used with a WDH. At the very least, I'd be very cautious and ask a LOT of questions of Mercedes dealers and/or Mercedes car forums on the 'net before I'd attempt using one of them.
That said, and having experience towing with that BMW, which, btw, has self-leveling suspension, a WDH would be quite unnecessary. I don't know if YOUR Merc has such a feature, but I'm pretty certain that Mercedes offers it as an option.
