[Jim Ma]

I am selling a complete trailer hitch kit for the 1998-2005 ML 320/430/500/55 W163. It includes the hitch, all wiring, hardware, and even the original installation instructions. You will not need to buy anything else to complete the install. I used it for approximately 3 yrs, asking $400. Please call 301-440-0327 or email [email protected]. Thanks Jim

 

[Da Murf]

Doesn't seem to make much sense. I bought a brand new Reese hitch that was exactly the same as that for mine for well under $200 brand new.

MB isn't exactly famous for it's bargain pricing on parts.

 

[benzml350]

His price isn't great, but it's the factory brackets and harness that make this worth much more than a new Draw Tite/Reese/Hidden Hitch. I'd pay $100 just for the factory MB reinforcing brackets and hardware. I wouldn't give 2 cents for the aftermarket ones.

 

[Da Murf]

I looked at both the factory unit and the aftermarket ones, they are almost identical.

If anything I'd say there's some value in the wiring harness, but not $200 dollars, especially when you can get the pigtail from the Stealership for a lot less.

 

[Sergio]

So the factory wiring has no isolation and does not draw power from the battery? It's a simple plug-in type that puts the trailer lights in parallel with the tail lights?
I didn't think the stock wiring could handle the additional load from a trailer....

 

[Mike's ML]

So the factory wiring has no isolation and does not draw power from the battery? It's a simple plug-in type that puts the trailer lights in parallel with the tail lights?
I didn't think the stock wiring could handle the additional load from a trailer....

Not so---
The factory wiring does have a powered isolation module. Look closer to the wiring harness' plugs and the black box just below the harness in the above pictures.
Mike

 

[Sergio]

Oh! I see...
Thanks Mike.

 

[dfskinner]

I think this is the info I was looking for; the harness I purchased yesterday has the black box as a part of the set. I'm currently looking thru the site for any other info about how the harness works but the post above is good news in that if I put the right fuses in I'm think that my 7 point plug will control the brakes on my trailer, or at least I'm hoping it will. I'll take some pic's and post as I put this in.......

 

[n00bkiller944]

I am local and am very interested, but not for $400... Flexible on the price?

 

[[email protected]]

i think it depends how much you want to use it, and spend. i think i spent like $80 for this style hitch for 3500 lbs. if i remember right, you only need side brackets for 5000 lbs. and i just use few times a year so i kind of spiced into existing wiring by taking off left side compartment cover thingy with no problems to $5 dollar hitch connector. i have never had a problem. but like i said i only use couple times a year to go short distance.

 

[dfskinner]

n00bkiller944, I'm not sure if the hitch is still for sale...... I was looking for the OEM Harness and info about the Harness.

I was able to pick up a Harness at my local salvage yard (pic above)...... but the very end was damaged or broken off so I'm looking for info so I can hook up a Hopkins 48470 (pic below)

as my female on the end of my harness so I can plug in a 7 point RV plug on my Keystone Travel Trailer..... I'm trying to match up the wires coming from the end of my wiring harness as seen in the following two pics;

 

[mbenz80]

Dennis, you can try to hook up 12V test light to each wire after pluging it into truck harness but this should be correct connection:
Green-L turn signal
Gray-Back up lamp
Red- +12V power from fuse#18
White-Tail lamp
Orange-Stop lamp and brake control
Brown-Ground chassis
Now search google for Pollak trailer plug to match terminals with wire colors.
Part No. for OEM trailer hitch harness with 3 inbound plugs is: Q6 54 0013
Part No. for OEM Oris complete hitch kit with harness & brackets is: Q6 31 0002
I got very lucky and bought brand new OEM Oris kit on e-bay for $200 including shipping.
Bernard

 

[dfskinner]

Thanks for the info...... I went back by the salvage yard earlier this morning and was able to get the very end of the harness........ more to follow

 

[indye55]

Is this still for sale?

 

[Jim Ma]

Sorry for the late update but sold the hitch long ago.

 

[dfskinner]

Harness install completed today using the Hopkins Endurance Model # 48470 Multi-Tow 7, 5 and 4 Way Flat Trailer Connector in the place of the OEM plug which was busted on the used wiring harness I purchased from the salvage yard as my vehicle end unit. Used the color scheme listed above and took my time;

OEM End of wiring harness has 7 wires which match up with the following on the 48470;

1. White - TL (Tail Lights)
2. Green -LT (Left Turn Signal)
3. Brown - GD (Ground)
4. Gray -BU (Back up lamps)
5. Red - AX (+12V power from fuse#18
6. Pink - RT (Right Turn signal)
7. Orange -BR (Stop lamps and brake control)

I took about 50 pic's of my install which went very well (I'll only include a couple here to hopefully help other members)

Shows the 7 wires (connecting last wire "Green")

7 Pin mounted onto the OEM MB Bracket

Bracket mounted onto bumper in "predrilled holes", used #14 tapping bolts

Shot of bracket from under the ML with the bumper cover on the vehicle

Fuze box with 25 amp fuse in the #18 slot for the Aux Power to the trailer