Towing with a Mercedes Benz ML 350 Bluetec

[houtrz]

I have a 2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec diesel and the tow capacity is 7300 pounds. I haven't weighed our trailer yet but the dry weight is 4600 pounds. I have recently read about Mercedes ML maximum hitch weight and not using a WDH without reinforcing the hitch. I haven't found anything official but several people have said Mercedes calculates an 8% tongue weight which may put me over the limit.

Does anyone have any experience with this tow vehicle, had problems with the hitch or actually reinforced it.

[NinerBikes]

I tow a 4300# wet 21 ft TT with my Volkswagen Touareg TDI. Rated to tow 7700 #'s and 600# tongue weight, Max. I use a weight distribution hitch, my tongue weight is at about 440 without it. No problems, tail does not wag the dog. Biggest problem is Class A motorhome drivers that are new, that don't realize the airwave their Incredible Hulks create driving 75-85 mph down the interstate on I-15 in Southern Utah, where the speed limit is 80 or 85 mph, while others are doing 60 in the slow lane. Quite a push and a jack knife effect if they lean a bit to the right in their lane as they go by you, instead of increasing the berth a little bit to the left.

[jerem0621]

sato4000 wrote:
I towed a 29 foot travel trailer with a 2013 gl450 for a couple of years. It had no issues and it rode great. Never an inch of sway or problems braking with trailer brakes. Air suspension, WDH kept it level with no sway. Had plenty of power with the twin turbo v8. I felt comfortable driving it so I did. Heard from plenty of people telling me to go buy a truck. Now I have a 2014 class C with the e450 chassis. The ride stinks, it doesn't brake well, I get blown all over the place on the highway, and its under-powered. I still love the class C but there is no comparison to towing with the mercedes. I know its not apples to apples but that's my experience. Hope it helps.

Thanks for the feedback...the GL450 is on my short list for my next vehicle.

Here is a Link to a video of A man towing 7,500 lbs with his GL320....

Now he is using a Hensley Arrow.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[sato4000]

I towed a 29 foot travel trailer with a 2013 gl450 for a couple of years. It had no issues and it rode great. Never an inch of sway or problems braking with trailer brakes. Air suspension, WDH kept it level with no sway. Had plenty of power with the twin turbo v8. I felt comfortable driving it so I did. Heard from plenty of people telling me to go buy a truck. Now I have a 2014 class C with the e450 chassis. The ride stinks, it doesn't brake well, I get blown all over the place on the highway, and its under-powered. I still love the class C but there is no comparison to towing with the mercedes. I know its not apples to apples but that's my experience. Hope it helps.

[Road_Ruler]

jerem0621 wrote:

rexlion wrote:
A good welding shop could improve that hitch receiver for you. Then you'll have peace of mind.

Here is a Link to a thread on the AIR forums where they cover a BMW X5's receiver being reinforced.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

That site has the good info. The Benz ML Bluetec (set up right) is one of the best tow vehicles money can buy. Most have had their receivers reinforced so the can handle the stress of the WDH.

Get it set up right and you will have a top notch TV for your lightweight trailer.

[N-Trouble]

Saw a guy towing a big ol V-drive wakeboard boat with a newer Acura MDX yesterday. Talk about the tail waggin the dog. Guy was all over the road... Pulled up to him at a light and could only shake my head in disgust. He knew what I was getting at.

These mid-sized SUVs make great family vehicles/grocery getters but are not really intended for towing. Thus why your not going to find much info on trailering in the owners manual

[houtrz]

Its a unibody.

[BenK]

Where ever you found that 7,300 MTWR...is where they should have the other towing
attributes/specifications listed

If not, then incomplete and telling

Is this vehicle a ladder frame or monocoque architecture?

Duty cycle for the drive train is another issue and should be higher than a
"car's" would be

[houtrz]

What does that tell me? I can use my WDH because it doesn't say I can't? The maximum tow rating is 7300 pounds, so far that's all I know.

[PRodacy]

houtrz wrote:
My book doesn't mention anything about a weight distribution hitch and when I looked at the weight chart, it was blank saying the information wasn't available at time of print. I have searched online and haven't found much. I'll keep on looking.

That tells you quite a bit right there.

[houtrz]

My book doesn't mention anything about a weight distribution hitch and when I looked at the weight chart, it was blank saying the information wasn't available at time of print. I have searched online and haven't found much. I'll keep on looking.

[jerem0621]

rexlion wrote:
A good welding shop could improve that hitch receiver for you. Then you'll have peace of mind.

Here is a Link to a thread on the AIR forums where they cover a BMW X5's receiver being reinforced.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[rexlion]

A good welding shop could improve that hitch receiver for you. Then you'll have peace of mind.

[naturist]

European trailers have very much lighter tongue weights than in the US. I tow with a BMW X5 diesel that is rated 6,000 lbs gross trailer weight and 600 lbs tongue weight in the US but 7700 lbs and (I think) 400 lbs tongue in Europe. Europeans also do not use WDH systems. BMW like MB says NO WDH under any circumstances.

Whatever it says in your owners' manual is what I'd do if I were you.

[jerem0621]

You are correct. The hitch ratings are in your owners Manual.

Thanks!

Jeremiah