I need a hitch - 2002 G500 - Benzworld.org

mb230s · 10-06-2003, 08:29 PM

I need a hitch and I have gone through the archives looking for info.

I understand there are two hitches available:
1) from the dealer
2) from Europa

Does anybody have pictures of both? I understand the Europa may not obstruct off road. What are they both rated at?

Also, my dealer informed me that the MB hitch is actually supplied by someone else in Germany. I have a 40 year old Mercedes and what I have learned to do is find the supplier. Once MB puts the part in their inventory the price doubles. Anybody know the direct source for the hitch?

Any other options?

Thanks!

Dave

Patrick / Regina · 10-06-2003, 09:13 PM

there are a few options available that were discussed not too long ago on this forum. Best price was this one:

"I've got an original MB trailer hitch. This is the factory W463 ball hitch, made by Oris. I can send you a picture of it by itself and mounted.

Comes with the four bolts. mcreynol@hpl.hp.com"

not sure if he sold it or not.

mb230s · 10-06-2003, 09:34 PM

That hitch isn't what I was expecting and I doubt it has the 7000 pound rating. I need a receiver style hitch.

Thanks for the info though - looks like the hitch MB used to put on cars in the 60s and 70s.

4x4abc · 10-06-2003, 09:45 PM

The funny looking hook is pretty strong - max load 7700 pounds

AlanMcR · 10-06-2003, 09:59 PM

Quote:

... I doubt it has the 7000 pound rating. ...

The hitch is a G specific factory hitch and bolts directly to the hitch plate on the last frame cross member. It carries a plate with a 3500Kg rating. That's 7716lbs by my calculation. I think the LWB G is limited to 7000lbs in the US.

Oddly, it seems that the G loses about 700lbs in tow rating in transit from Graz.

I still have the hitch, I'd like $75 for it and the associated bolts. Factory price is EUR400. Not a bad discount for some minor surface rust that isn't even visible when it's mounted.

(Thanks for the plug Patrick).

...Alan

Arnd · 10-07-2003, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Oddly, it seems that the G loses about 700lbs in tow rating in transit from Graz.

I bet the reason why the G in US is only allowed to pull 7000lbs than the 3.5 tons in europe is the same why the G in US isn't allowed to carry roofracks! DC is frightened about stupid G-Owners which crashes the G with a heavy load on the hook (or the roof) and than also haves the audacity to sue DC cause of their own stupidness!!! [}:)]

Yeah, life could be so much easier if you in US don't alway sue anotherone for your own mistakes ... [:p]

Maxwell Smart · 10-07-2003, 03:48 AM

Quote:

I bet the reason why the G in US is only allowed to pull 7000lbs than the 3.5 tons in europe is the same why the G in US isn't allowed to carry roofracks! DC is frightened about stupid G-Owners which crashes the G with a heavy load on the hook (or the roof) and than also haves the audacity to sue DC cause of their own stupidness!!! [}:)]

Yeah, life could be so much easier if you in US don't alway sue anotherone for your own mistakes ... [:p]

What? No roof racks allowed on Gs in the US?!? Seems absurd! How about Canada?

And how on earth would they enforce that? Cops pull over everyone with a roof rack then "Just a moment sir I need to check my database of 10,000s of vehicles to see if you're authorised to carry a roof rack!"

Errh and what's a DC?

DUTCH · 10-07-2003, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Yeah, life could be so much easier if you in US don't alway sue anotherone for your own mistakes ... [:p]

You said a mouthful there, Arnd. We have far too many attorneys in the US; and as a result, they have to make work in order to survive.

DUTCH · 10-07-2003, 04:25 AM

Quote:

What? No roof racks allowed on Gs in the US?!? Seems absurd! How about Canada?

And how on earth would they enforce that? Cops pull over everyone with a roof rack then "Just a moment sir I need to check my database of 10,000s of vehicles to see if you're authorised to carry a roof rack!"

Errh and what's a DC?

DC is DaimlerChrysler. The way they enforce the no roof racks policy is that DC will not sell any roof racks through their dealers. Also, if an accident should happen with a roof rack, they can disclaim any responsibility because they do not recommend them.

captnpete · 10-07-2003, 07:15 AM

Quote:

... I doubt it has the 7000 pound rating. ...

The hitch is a G specific factory hitch and bolts directly to the hitch plate on the last frame cross member. It carries a plate with a 3500Kg rating. That's 7716lbs by my calculation. I think the LWB G is limited to 7000lbs in the US.

Oddly, it seems that the G loses about 700lbs in tow rating in transit from Graz.

I still have the hitch, I'd like $75 for it and the associated bolts. Factory price is EUR400. Not a bad discount for some minor surface rust that isn't even visible when it's mounted.

(Thanks for the plug Patrick).

...Alan

When I bought my G320 from Europa it had the same type hitch attached . Europa changed it to their own version as a 'courtesy upgrade'.

The problem with the german hitch is that the tongue weight is limited to 120 kg according to the sticker on the rear door sill. The way trailers are being set up here in the US, 10 to 15% tongue weight of the towing allowance is allocated to the tongue weight.
In order not to exceed the permissible tongue weight, the trailer weight would be allowed to be between 800 and 1200 kg (1760 and 2640 lbs). Hence a different hitch is required.

As discussed elsewhere in this forum, electric brakes are the preferred method of controlling the trailer brakes. As far as I know, electric brakes are not even permitted in Germany.

No wonder we have such different ratings for the same car in two different countries.

I read in some other forum that G-Wagens in Germany are sometimes used to maneuver self-contained highway trailers in freight yards by the use of their front bumper hitch pin arrangement.