R 320 Diesel VS. GL 320 Diesel

hraracer · 07-25-2008, 04:47 PM

Any know why the GL Diesel can tow much more than R Diesel?

I don't remember where I read it from, but was it 7500 lb (GL) vs. 4800 lb (R)?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

TMAllison · 07-25-2008, 04:52 PM

The GL is a truck and the R is a mini-van.

If you're going to tow 4500lbs I'd get a bigger, longer wheel base than both of those have.

hraracer · 07-25-2008, 05:49 PM

such as...

brake size, GVWR, hitch design, rear overhang dimension... etc. If anyone knows.

Gerneral assumption does not help me.

Thanks!

husk323 · 07-25-2008, 09:28 PM

Right now you can get two R320's for the price of one GL

dgiturbo · 07-25-2008, 11:26 PM

I am pretty sure that the R class is not rated for towing.
The GL an Ml were listed as 4800 pound capacity on the older website (2007), but now they are rated at 7200 pounds.
If I had to guess, I think the frame construction of the R has something to do with it?
Check the website or stop by a dealer.

TMAllison · 07-26-2008, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hraracer

such as...

brake size, GVWR, hitch design, rear overhang dimension... etc. If anyone knows.

Gerneral assumption does not help me.

Thanks!

Ya oughta learn to ask more specific questions the first time out then shouldn't ya.....

lkchris · 07-26-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgiturbo

I am pretty sure that the R class is not rated for towing.
The GL an Ml were listed as 4800 pound capacity on the older website (2007), but now they are rated at 7200 pounds.
If I had to guess, I think the frame construction of the R has something to do with it?
Check the website or stop by a dealer.

That's just in the USA and is typical of MBUSA.

In the USA there is no tow hitch available from Mercedes for the R-class but there certainly is in the rest of the world.

In the rest of the world tow hitches are available from Mercedes for all models, but in the USA it's only the ML and GL.

Diesel Benz · 07-26-2008, 02:59 PM

In Europe at least the tow hitch is not supposed to take significant vertical load, some 85 kg or so max. The allowed weight for towing is typically dependent on the weight of the car itself and to some extent brakes etc. I'm not sure if it still today makes a difference if the car is four wheel driven (but aren't both of these 4WD cars).

The Euro figures for the R are: 750 kg for a trailer without brakes (this is the maximum allowed in EU for any car) and 2100 kg for a trailer with brakes.

The Euro figures for the GL are: 750 kg and 3500 kg, which is uncommonly high. Also the drawbar noseweight is 140 kg for the GL, higher than the typical 85 kg.

dieseldoc · 08-15-2008, 07:19 PM

Get the GL for Towing. Body better designed for towing than R

07-25-2008, 04:47 PM	#1
hraracer Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2	R 320 Diesel VS. GL 320 Diesel Any know why the GL Diesel can tow much more than R Diesel? I don't remember where I read it from, but was it 7500 lb (GL) vs. 4800 lb (R)? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

07-25-2008, 04:52 PM	#2
TMAllison Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 183	The GL is a truck and the R is a mini-van. If you're going to tow 4500lbs I'd get a bigger, longer wheel base than both of those have. __________________ T. Allison 85' 300D 311k miles 99' E300 251k miles

07-25-2008, 05:49 PM	#3
hraracer Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2	Looking for more specific answer such as... brake size, GVWR, hitch design, rear overhang dimension... etc. If anyone knows. Gerneral assumption does not help me. Thanks!

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07-25-2008, 11:26 PM	#5
dgiturbo Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 175	I am pretty sure that the R class is not rated for towing. The GL an Ml were listed as 4800 pound capacity on the older website (2007), but now they are rated at 7200 pounds. If I had to guess, I think the frame construction of the R has something to do with it? Check the website or stop by a dealer.

07-26-2008, 02:59 PM	#8
Diesel Benz MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Europe Posts: 2,143	In Europe at least the tow hitch is not supposed to take significant vertical load, some 85 kg or so max. The allowed weight for towing is typically dependent on the weight of the car itself and to some extent brakes etc. I'm not sure if it still today makes a difference if the car is four wheel driven (but aren't both of these 4WD cars). The Euro figures for the R are: 750 kg for a trailer without brakes (this is the maximum allowed in EU for any car) and 2100 kg for a trailer with brakes. The Euro figures for the GL are: 750 kg and 3500 kg, which is uncommonly high. Also the drawbar noseweight is 140 kg for the GL, higher than the typical 85 kg.

08-15-2008, 07:19 PM	#9
dieseldoc Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 133	Get the GL for Towing. Body better designed for towing than R