Trailer Hitch Recommendation for 2014 Mercedes GL 450

Updated 07/07/2020 | Published 06/04/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(21)

$481.43

B&W Tow & Stow 2-Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 5" Drop, 5-1/2" Rise - 7.5K - Black

(4617)

$269.00

Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(1673)

$73.63

Question:

I have a 2014 Mercedes GL 450 4matic. which is the best hitch for this vehicle? One product says not for vehicles with active curve system. What is that? Thanks

asked by: Michael

Expert Reply:

The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13190 is a confirmed fit for your 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL 450 as long as you don't have the Active Curve System on your 4matic. It is a bolt on installation with complete hardware kit and instructions included.

The Active Curve System is a sophisticated leveraging action of the car's suspension that reduces leans in turns by allowing all four wheels to work independently ensuring they are on the ground at the same time. They system uses electrohydraulic stabilizers for this and unfortunately there is not a fit from any of our manufacturers for vehicles with that feature. If you are not sure if your car has this, you can contact your dealer with your VIN number and they will be able to assist.

If you will be towing with this hitch, I recommend the Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # C59236 and the B&W Tow & Stow 2-Ball Mount # BWTS10038B. This will allow you to tow many trailers level and has a stowable feature for a clean look when not in use.

expert reply by: Jason S

Mac D.

6/16/2020

I have a 2015 GL 450 w. 600lb tow hitch installed. I do not have the active curve system. The sticker in the door states the vehicle GVWR is 7165lb. I don't have MB documentation but have see curb weights of 5371 and 5335 stated on other websites. Sticker says GAWR front 3307 and GAWR rear 3968. Tire and Loading state max 1312 lb combined weight of occupants and cargo. Do I add the occupants, cargo and weight on the hitch together to stay under 1312? If I swap out for the Curt hitch with 900 lb capacity does that only leave 412 lbs? Or 7165 GVWR minus 5371 curb minus 900 lb leaving me 894 lb for occupants and cargo? Thank you!

Chris R.

6/19/2020

I'm a little unclear of what you're actually trying to tow. The owner's manual for your Mercedes should offer some clearer insight as to the actual trailer weight that the vehicle can safely pull. There are A LOT of numbers with regards to a vehicle's capacity and they can often lead to all kinds of confusion. Do you already have a trailer in mind?

Mac D.

6/19/2020

@ChrisR Hello. We have a number of different trailers In mind. The weight we can pull is 7500 lbs. but there is a wide range of tongue weights for trailers that have a GVWR up to that. Some below 600 and some above. The towing capacity isn’t the only factor. The info I stated above doesn’t seem to align. The GVWR of the vehicle minus the curb weight should be closer to 1800 lbs but the loading sticker says 1312 lbs. will the 900 lb curt hitch increase to loading capacity by 300 lbs (over the 600) or have no effect and my combined occupant + cargo + hitch still need to be under 1312 lbs?

Mac D.

6/19/2020

@ChrisR Hello. Not sure if my previous response to you went through. Thanks for your response by the way. I have a number of options for trailers. The GL450 has a towing capacity of 7500 lbs. There are trailers with less than 600 lbs and some with more than 600lb tongue weight. I think the limiting factor for me is the overall loading capacity. I'm trying to figure out if that 1312 lb loading capacity includes the allowable tongue weight or not. It's odd if it does because best I can find online (because MB doesn't list it) my curb weight is around 5371 lbs. The GVWR is 7165 lbs. If I understand correctly I can take the difference of 1794 lb as my allowable loading capacity. But the loading sticker states 1312 lb? I don't understand the difference. I don't know that replacing my 600 lb hitch with the Curt 900 lb hitch is going to increase the loading capacity up to the full 1794 lbs or not. It doesn't make sense to me that it would increase it. I'm just wondering if the loading sticker doesn't account for the tongue weight on the hitch. Thanks!