I want to have a trailer hitch put on a 2004 ML500. Dealer quoted around $1000 for the OEM hitch and install. I'm not sure there is any benefit in going with the OEM vs third party. From what I have read the third party ones mount into the holes provided for the factory one.</P>


Has anyone had any experience with this?</P>


Thanks,</P>


Louis</P>

 

for what it's worth, I installed a hitch on a 99 ML430. Bought the electric harness from MB dealer (~$70)and the hitch on-line (~ $100). The harness plugs right in, and there is a small bracket (~$10) that bolts right to the bottom of the frame. Don't forget to put in a fuse in the fuse box in theright spot, mine didn't have a fuse installed, and it took me a while to figure out why the turn signal and brake lights didn't work. The hardest part was taking off the bumper to install the hitch, butthe hitch I bought("draw-tite") came with detailed instructions. If I remember right, thereare four bolts located under access panels on the rear bumper, and a couple of screws underneath. Then the whole thing lifts off. I cut the center cover to match the hitch using a piece of paper to get the right fit, then tracing it onto the plastic piece. The whole job took about 2 hours after I got all the pieces. And about another hour to cut out the panel to match the hitch. Good luck.</P>

 

Thanks for the post Paul. Looks like after market is the way to go. I found a great hitch guy in the Chicago area http://www.masterhitch.com/. He is going to do whole think for about $350 (hitch, wiring, ball, bumper cutout). For me its worth the extra $150 to get a professional to do it.

 

Paul- YOU DA MAN !
Good job on doing it yourself.
Could you please explain in detail the wiring ?
I installed a hitch, - piece of cake.., but need to hook up my trailer lights. Just a little trailer with 3wires plus a ground.
- - Im fuzzy on what has to be bought and shere it plugs in.
So the ML has no way of working without a $70 Mercedes adaptor wire &gt; &gt; ?

SEPT 1st Update. I gave up on a cheaper way. Ordered the harness $75. from a guy online. Looks like wiring should be a breeze too. fish it up to the trunk box and plug in.

October update: of all the stinking luck. bought the mercedes wiring harness preowned - installed it...and only the lights work. no brake lights or turn signals. how this thing clips out of the way in the little compartment is beyound me.

Thanks.

 

I did it on my wife (and family) ML320 about 5 years ago. The after-market hitch cost about $140 (than) and included the corner reinforcements for the main frame on the vehicle. Bumper is hold by 4 pcs M6 bolts. Takes 45 sec with power drill to remove them and slide the bumper out.
Needed 7-prong harness for the brake controller, so I split the factory wiring and run new #10 wire from the fuse box, thru the controller to the rear.
Works great today.

 

Paul what did you use to cut a hole on the center to fit in the hitch. Thanks.

 

I installed the factory hitch (about $375) on my '98 320 in about an hour.

 

I use dremel to cut it!!