Mercedes ML350 Bluetec - How big a TT can I tow?

[Proteus]

New to this and need some advice. I have an ML350BTC as a tow vehicle. Plenty of power (455 ftlbs), and it has a 7200lb tow rating. I'm looking for a lightweight 25-28ft travel trailer with bunks (something like a surveyor sport, or passport). There is a huge difference in weight and construction..the ones I'm looking at come in right at 5000-5200lbs (delivered weight, from door sticker)

Question is, I've visited a number of RV dealers so far that seem to think you need you need a traditional truck to tow (although one changes his mind when I pointed out this was basically a fancy Jeep Grand Cherokee)

GVWR is 6504, RAWR - 3638, FAWR 3197, curb weight 5109.
This leaves me with a payload of #1395 (more than a "half ton" in truck speak). Tires are rated over 2100lbs each, so no issues there.
My hitch rating is low at 575lbs, since European standard is 8% on the hitch, not 15% like here. From what I understand, a good WD system will take care of that (locally, equalizer "four points" seems to be popular). Per the dealer, the MB has trailer towing software that automatically detects and corrects for sway.

So question is this: Can I safely tow something like:
Keystone Passport 2650BH (4950 dry, 470 hitch),
Coachman Captiva 270RS (4600 dry, 740 hitch, the WD should help here?)
or even a Surveyor cadet SC-280(4700, 504 hitch).

I know in Europe, people tow large boats and caravans with these, and even here in the US, the Airstream crowd tow the heavy 25-28ft models (and per youtube, apparently even the 7500lb 30fter!). At the same time though, there seems to be some great difference of opinion out there.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Plenty of power (455 ftlbs),

Lets set one thing straight from the onset. Torque is not power.
What HP does this engine have? Low to mid 200's?

If so that will be fine power wise for the TT weight you are looking at. You won't win any races up the mountains but it will have more than enough power on the flats.

[Fuscus]

I have been towing since April 2014 with my 2008 ML 320 CDI (same as 350 bluetec). 6000kms so far. 2014 Traile Lite Trek 27 Bhs. 27 ft, 5400 lbs empty, 6000 with a lot of gear, no water. If I carry a full water load I am illegal. While having more than enough power (long, steep hills in British Columbia Rockies), good crosswind stability, I would recommend everybody who is considering this kind of combination NOT to exceed the tongue weight rating and Gross Weight Rating. Also, watch the rear axle rating. Weight distribution helps but does nor make it legal in case of a crash. DOT will only look at the posted numbers on your door sticker and vehicle/trailer manual. Also, the Wd helps but puts more strain on the hitch, and the Ml. I am a class one driver, used to drive semis for work and if I was to choose I would have gotten a little bit smaller one or with a lower tongue weight. This one is at 675 pounds. I keep the propane tanks inside on the axle, I load everything in the rear of the trailer to stay legal. With a full tank of diesel (90 litres), wife and two toddlers I am right at the limit. I always fill with water close to the final destination and fear a DOT checkstop. On the other hand I get 16-18 mpg with this big box behind, off roading is awesome, and trips are far more comfortable than with any truck. I would change only for a Ram Ecodiesel with air suspension:). Anyway, I hope this helps. Hills are not nearly as bad as winds as we have in crappy weather Alberta. The ML is an awesome beast for towing as long as you stay legal. The 3.0 simply blows Hemis for relaxed, long distance towing. I rarely rev over 3000 rpm in any situation. The GL is even better, more stable in crosswinds. Good luck! (Will post pictures).

[Proteus]

Thanks. Checked on this, and apparently the only "heavy modification" needed was to reinforce the hitch itself, which had a tendency to crack even under factory load on the <2012 models. Thankfully not an issue anymore with the new models, unless I'm towing something ridiculous.

Right now, leaning towards the Surveyor SP260 or 280. These are streamlined and have a low height, under 9ft, which will greatly reduce wind resistance. And, at 4141 dry, with a 469 dry hitch, even adding weight, I should be doing great, by the numbers? Assuming this will climb to about 5200 loaded, and probably another 100-150 on the hitch.

[Terryallan]

Proteus wrote:
Thanks. I'm puzzled though, since the old MLs had much lower tow ratings (only 5000 lbs), and much less power.
I'm not that worried about the tongue weight. The low rating comes from Mercedes using the european standard 8% tongue rating. The Jeep Grand Cherokee uses almost the exact same unibody chassis, but without the high strength steel reinforcement, and has a 740lb hitch rating. In addition, I'd be using a good WD/sway hitch.
We got this SUV specifically because it WAS meant for serious towing..which was why I'm so surprised when I started getting differing opinions.
There are a number of people on the Airstream forums who tow much heavier 28-30ft beasts, including one towing a 7500lber..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD00Z92ON-k
I'd be towing about 1500 lbs less than that, fully loaded.

Again. Many towing Airstreams had their vehicles heavily Modified to tow.

But you know. Go ahead and do what you want. Overload the TV, get a too light tongue and let it wiggle all over the road. You'l be fine.

Just don't count on sway control to fix your sway. that is NOT what it is for, and don't count on a WDH to compensate for a too light tongue. That's not what it does either.

[Proteus]

Thanks. I'm puzzled though, since the old MLs had much lower tow ratings (only 5000 lbs), and much less power.
I'm not that worried about the tongue weight. The low rating comes from Mercedes using the european standard 8% tongue rating. The Jeep Grand Cherokee uses almost the exact same unibody chassis, but without the high strength steel reinforcement, and has a 740lb hitch rating. In addition, I'd be using a good WD/sway hitch.
We got this SUV specifically because it WAS meant for serious towing..which was why I'm so surprised when I started getting differing opinions.
There are a number of people on the Airstream forums who tow much heavier 28-30ft beasts, including one towing a 7500lber..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD00Z92ON-k
I'd be towing about 1500 lbs less than that, fully loaded.

Chuck&Gail wrote:
IMHO verify the VEHICLE tongue weight rating. If it really is 575# (I think it is, because they removed the frame on those, right?) and you agree that 13% is the minimum tongue weight of FULLY LOADED TT, then the max FULLY LOADED TT weight is 4,423#. This would be a popup I think.

Note putting a Class 5 receiver on a Pinto would NOT increase its tow rating.

We have towed over 100,000 miles with an ML320 which had a frame, and loved it. When we wanted a new Mercedes (old one had over 200,000 miles total) we drove to our dealer to buy a new one. Low and behold NONE of the new ones could even tow as much as our 1999 ML320. In fact no where near as much. Dealer even called Mercedes to verify strange ratings, and was told that was it. Not meant for serious towing. We bought a Ford Expedition.

[Chuck_Gail]

IMHO verify the VEHICLE tongue weight rating. If it really is 575# (I think it is, because they removed the frame on those, right?) and you agree that 13% is the minimum tongue weight of FULLY LOADED TT, then the max FULLY LOADED TT weight is 4,423#. This would be a popup I think.

Note putting a Class 5 receiver on a Pinto would NOT increase its tow rating.

We have towed over 100,000 miles with an ML320 which had a frame, and loved it. When we wanted a new Mercedes (old one had over 200,000 miles total) we drove to our dealer to buy a new one. Low and behold NONE of the new ones could even tow as much as our 1999 ML320. In fact no where near as much. Dealer even called Mercedes to verify strange ratings, and was told that was it. Not meant for serious towing. We bought a Ford Expedition.

[Road_Ruler]

Your Mercedes is one of the best TV's money can buy! I wish I could afford one although I did own a big 450SEL at one time.

The "numbers" for your vehicle are based on towing a Euro trailer with no WDH.

Go to the Airstream forum and learn about setting up your vehicle to use a WDH. One of the towing specialists that have the experience and know how is Can AM here in Ontario. They beef up the receiver and highly promote the use of the Hensley.

[blt2ski]

Actually, if the current MB SUV's are like my wifes 02 ML320, the 7500 lbs is with or with out passengers. One has to stay with in the payload of the rig tho.

Also that rig is rated to 7500 lbs no matter if you have the diesel, or the 3.5L v6, or the 5.5L v8 supercharged version with more hp and torque yet! MB has rated this rig as they do in Europe to a degree.

As noted tho, if you do a typical NAmerica 10-15% HW, vs Europe at 5-10%, you will over load the factory hitch ratings. Not sure if another one is out there with a stronger HW rating.
Power wise, you should not have too many issues with a loaded 7000 lbs trailer with that motor.

Keep your self with in the general specs of the hitch etc, enjoy the time with family.

Marty

[Terryallan]

Proteus wrote:
New to this and need some advice. I have an ML350BTC as a tow vehicle. Plenty of power (455 ftlbs), and it has a 7200lb tow rating. I'm looking for a lightweight 25-28ft travel trailer with bunks (something like a surveyor sport, or passport). There is a huge difference in weight and construction..the ones I'm looking at come in right at 5000-5200lbs (delivered weight, from door sticker)

Question is, I've visited a number of RV dealers so far that seem to think you need you need a traditional truck to tow (although one changes his mind when I pointed out this was basically a fancy Jeep Grand Cherokee)

GVWR is 6504, RAWR - 3638, FAWR 3197, curb weight 5109.
This leaves me with a payload of #1395 (more than a "half ton" in truck speak). Tires are rated over 2100lbs each, so no issues there.
My hitch rating is low at 575lbs, since European standard is 8% on the hitch, not 15% like here. From what I understand, a good WD system will take care of that (locally, equalizer "four points" seems to be popular). Per the dealer, the MB has trailer towing software that automatically detects and corrects for sway.

So question is this: Can I safely tow something like:
Keystone Passport 2650BH (4950 dry, 470 hitch),
Coachman Captiva 270RS (4600 dry, 740 hitch, the WD should help here?)
or even a Surveyor cadet SC-280(4700, 504 hitch).

I know in Europe, people tow large boats and caravans with these, and even here in the US, the Airstream crowd tow the heavy 25-28ft models (and per youtube, apparently even the 7500lb 30fter!). At the same time though, there seems to be some great difference of opinion out there.

First 1395lbs payload is more than "SOME" so called 1/2 ton trucks, but way less than mine. And out of that 1395 has to come your tongues weight. BTW. A WDH can not compensate for too little tongue weight. Any way. say your tongue weight of the TT once loaded is 800lbs. So you got around 600 left. How much do you weigh? 200? Down to 400. DW? And the kids? And the 50lb hitch? Your running out of payload fast.

Plus remember. That towing cap of 7200lbs. Is only good with a 150lb driver, and 1/2 tank of fuel. So by the time you put the wife, kids, and WDH in it. Your going to be down to considerable less, prolly around 6200lbs of towing capacity.

Also look at those European trailers. They are not the same as the ones towed here.

So no, after having, and towing with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. You need more tow vehicle. IMOP

BTW. IF you will check. It could be that the ones towing 28' Airstreams here. Have been heavily modified by a company called Cam Am

[ChooChooMan74]

You shouldn't have an issue. The weight police may be on you, but that is the norm for anyone who tows small. My Jeep Liberty CRD with ab engine tune and transmission tune tows great for its size, so I think you should be happy. Just remember, it isn't a one tone dually and you will feel the trailer behind you.

Also, if you don't have a hitch, depending on year, this one is rated at 600 TW.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Mercedes-Benz/M-Class/2012/C13117.html?vehicleid=201211845

[krobbe]

You'll exceed your 575# hitch rating and payload capacity with all of those trailers thus negating the "safely tow" part of your question.

[naturist]

There certainly is a great difference of opinion on this topic; get ready, you are gonna hear from 'em all.

I have a Jeep Liberty CRD, 335 ft-lbs torque, rated to tow 5,000 lbs. My TT is 21 feet, 5,000 lbs gross/3650 dry weight. And based on my experiences with this set up, I'd say you'll be fine with the Captiva or the Surveyer. The Keystone leaves a little less cargo capacity than I'd like to see, but it might be fine. I think your tongue weight capacity is too low, however. You might have to do something about that.

And yes, I'm sure there will be folks horrified at my rig, just as they will be at your proposed ones.