A passing grade for GLE43

[ford_fiesta98]

Hi, I'm going to check out a 2017 GLE 43 with an eye toward buying it tomorrow, but I need a vehicle that can tow, even if it's just a little trailer. Is it possible to retrofit a towbar (albeit a removable one) and what are the relevant regulations?

Nick

[James_Rover99]

Because towbars may be adapted to vehicles of the W166 generation, including the GLE 63, the possibility exists. Checking the VIN plates, which display the type authorized weights, is the only method to know for certain what those weights are.

[AudiLover2003]

However, as previously said (and regardless of what you will be towing), please, please utilize the specific wiring kit. It just plugs in, and you must code the car to inform it that it has a towbar in order for it to modify the air suspension, parking sensors, traction control parameters, and so on when you connect something to the towbar. Coding can be performed by most high-quality towbar fitters or MB specialists; you do not need to go to a main stealer.

[ford_fiesta98]

Thanks for your assistance; I did locate something nearby. I test-drove the car today, and it had a dreadful vibration, which was caused by the wheels, which were supposed to have been refinished but appeared to have been done with a rattle can; you could see where the spray missed as it was applied from the front, and there was overspray on the weights and blisters on the spokes! They rebalanced them, but the issue was still with the 21s. I would like to go down to 19s for comfort, but the dealer was uninterested and the sales manager was stuck in his ivory tower berating the representative without coming to speak to me, so I strolled away.

[James_Rover99]

Thanks for your assistance; I did locate something nearby. I test-drove the car today, and it had a dreadful vibration, which was caused by the wheels, which were supposed to have been refinished but appeared to have been done with a rattle can; you could see where the spray missed as it was applied from the front, and there was overspray on the weights and blisters on the spokes! They rebalanced them, but the issue was still with the 21s. I would like to go down to 19s for comfort, but the dealer was uninterested and the sales manager was stuck in his ivory tower berating the representative without coming to speak to me, so I strolled away.

You could probably do that, but you should verify.

[n1mrod]

Sorry for interfering with your post, potential new MB owner. I'm looking at a 2020 C300E Estate later this week, and I need to add a towbar. I checked TowSafe, and it shows an 1800kg limit, but when I try to order a towbar to be fitted by an independent towbar fitter, their website claims the car cannot have a towbar fitted. Who is correct? The towbar business, MB, or the tow safe business

[Bluewhaleeee]

Sorry for interfering with your post, potential new MB owner. I'm looking at a 2020 C300E Estate later this week, and I need to add a towbar. I checked TowSafe, and it shows an 1800kg limit, but when I try to order a towbar to be fitted by an independent towbar fitter, their website claims the car cannot have a towbar fitted. Who is correct? The towbar business, MB, or the tow safe business

The solution may be found in the CoC (yellow folder document) which lists a towing weight, or you can check the VIN sticker in the door jam to see whether it quotes a towing weight. If there's simply a dash instead of a number, the automobile isn't type certified to tow and no tow bar may be lawfully installed on it.

[David_Smith2003]

The maximum towable weight is calculated by subtracting the aggregate train weight from the maximum laden weight of the vehicle, which is displayed on the VIN label.
Don't forget that most insurance policies won't cover you if you tow over the kerb weight of the car. This is why the caravan industry doesn't recommend exceeding 85 percent of the car's kerb weight for the trailer/caravan. However, this is only sound advice...not law.