Mercedes-Benz Towing Capacity by Model

If you are towing a boat to Roosevelt Lake or a trailer up the 87, the number on the brochure is only half the story. Here is what every current Mercedes-Benz can pull, and what actually limits you once you hitch up.

Mercedes-Benz towing capacity by model

Figures are maximums for properly equipped vehicles and vary by trim, model year and configuration. We will confirm the rating on the specific vehicle before you buy.

Which Mercedes-Benz tows the most?

The GLE and GLS both top the SUV lineup at 7,700 lbs. Worth knowing on the GLS: the V8-powered GLS 580 and the six-cylinder GLS 450 carry the same rating. The V8 does not raise the ceiling. What it changes is how hard the vehicle works getting there, particularly loaded with passengers on a grade.

If you need more than 7,700 lbs, you are looking at a Sprinter rather than an SUV.

What does “properly equipped” actually mean?

Tow ratings assume the factory tow package. A vehicle without it may not be rated to tow at all, regardless of what that model is capable of on paper.

This catches people out on used purchases constantly. Check the specific vehicle, not the model.

Why tongue weight matters more than people think

Maximum tow rating is not the only limit, and it is often not the one you hit first. Two other numbers constrain you:

Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer puts on the hitch, typically 10 to 15 percent of trailer weight. Payload capacity is everything the vehicle carries, passengers, cargo and tongue weight combined.

A trailer comfortably inside the tow rating can still put you over payload once the family and the cooler are aboard. If you tow with a full vehicle, do that arithmetic before you buy.

Can the electric models tow?

Yes, but with an honest caveat. The EQE SUV and EQS SUV are rated at 3,500 lbs, and the AMG® EQE SUV at 4,000 lbs.

The thing nobody puts in a brochure: towing reduces EV range dramatically commonly by half or more depending on trailer size, speed and terrain. A 300-mile SUV towing a trailer up to Payson is not a 300-mile SUV that day. If you tow regularly and far, a combustion GLE or GLS remains the more practical tool.

Does Arizona heat affect towing?

Meaningfully, yes. Towing generates heat, and so does a 112-degree afternoon. Transmission and engine temperatures climb faster here than the same trailer would produce anywhere milder, especially on the long climbs out of the valley toward Payson or Flagstaff.

Practical version: tow early in the day when you can, watch temperatures on sustained grades, and keep cooling system service current. Coolant condition matters more in Arizona than the spec sheet suggests.

Why can’t the GLA or GLB tow?

Both are rated for towing in some markets but not in the United States. If you need a compact Mercedes-Benz SUV that tows, the GLC at 3,500 lbs is the entry point.

Can I add a hitch after I buy?

In many cases yes, using genuine Mercedes-Benz equipment through our parts department. Retrofitting is not always possible or economical depending on the model and what wiring is already in place, so ask before you assume.

Not sure what you need?

Bring us the trailer weight, the tongue weight and how many people ride along. We will tell you which models genuinely work and which ones only work on paper.

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