ML v R
 

The ML320CDI can tow 7,200 pounds. The R320CDI is said to be capable of towing nothing. My understanding is the R is built on a lengthened ML chassis. If so, what's the difference? That's three and a half tons!

Is it simply a missing transmission cooler? What else?

Thanks in advance.

The difference is Mercedes offers a trailer hitch for the ML and not for the R.

That's in the USA, of course.

In Europe, there is a Mercedes towbar option, so you know the vehicle can do it.

The ML and GL are the only USA Mercedes approved for towing in the USA.

Well that simplifies things considerably. Do you know of a way (a friendly dealer?) to order the hitch and harness from Europe?

The European lighting system is different and the connector will have 13 pins. Unless your trailer's from Europe, you won't have the correct connector to match the Euro harness. The Euro system assumes separate turn/brake lights and even a rear fog light on the trailer.

In addition, the European hitch will have a 50mm ball which is NOT the same as any size used in USA. Euro hitches are not the square hole system used in USA, i.e the ball is integral.

I'd guess you'll have to find a USA-made aftermarket system--I haven't studied that.

Here's an illustration of the Euro system, where #40 is the ball.

The harness works fine. While in England I bought the OEM harness for my W210 (which MBUSA also say "cannot tow") plus a trailer-side 13 pin plug. I wired the 13 pin trailer-side plug to a US car-side flat four. My local stereo shop installed a logic box to deal with the separate blinkers for <$100. This I could do again no sweat.

The receiver is a bigger problem. All I can do then is go for something from etrailer.com and they have ratings of only 3,500 lbs. That ain't gonna do my race car. So close....

Grrrr.