So this 99ML320 I have with the limp mode issue that I can't seem to
resolve had a nice 5000lb Drawtite 2" receiver hitch on it. I was
wanting to get one for the 05ML500 so I figured I would just swap it
over. I watched an installation vid on etrailer.com, easy enough, so I
did that this afternoon. For some reason on etrailer they rate it a
10/10 but all the mounting points are there from the factory, it is a
bit fiddly to get the bolts attached but not hard, and you have to use
these nuts with a tab on them to slide them up in the frame rails for
the bolts to grab on the end brackets. I did get out the HF electric
impact driver to get the big bolts off the center hitch part, they were
on really tight but it spun them off easy enough.
Only wrinkle was I had to get out the Roto-zip and trim off a small bit
of the bumber for it to fit over the hitch. This was not an issue as
the bumber is all cracked and half of it is missing anyway so hacking it
up a bit was OK. I need to hit some junkyards to see if I can find
another one in better shape. Oh, and on the 05 there are radio antenna
panels mounted inside the bumber cover, one on each side right behind
the rear wheels. A very weird thing.
The 99 also has a wiring kit installed, there is some kind of special
box that isolates the light system or something, but wiring it up into
the taillights looks to be straightforward. I think you have to run a
power line to the battery to get power, and the little box senses the
various lights then activates them off the isolated power. I am going
to order another one for the 05 and an adapter for 4-wire --> 7 wire as
my big trailer has that setup for the brakes and the wiring kits are
only 4-wire. Will be about $50 for that kit, so not too spendy to get
towing mode engaged.
The 5000lb version has these brackets that mount on the ends of the
crossmember behind the bumber and to the longitudinal frame rails to
give an additional 1500lb capacity.
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Mercedes-Benz/M-Class/2005/75087.html?VehicleID=20052501
So now I will be good to tow with it and haul more fine Marzaydeez Bintz
automobiles home!
--
--FT
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