Trailer Towing

[NikkiZ]

I have a GLA 200CDI AMG Line and was looking at installing a tow bar to tow a boat weighing around 750 kgs very short distances. Mercedes don’t seem to manufacture a tow bar for my type
Of vehicle so I found one to purchase online. When going through the owners manual of the car though it states that AMG line cars are not meant to be used for towing. Big Dilemma. Can anybody advise why MB are stating this and if they have any experience towing with a similar vehicle?

 

[John N]

I have a GLA 200CDI AMG Line and was looking at installing a tow bar to tow a boat weighing around 750 kgs very short distances. Mercedes don’t seem to manufacture a tow bar for my type
Of vehicle so I found one to purchase online. When going through the owners manual of the car though it states that AMG line cars are not meant to be used for towing. Big Dilemma. Can anybody advise why MB are stating this and if they have any experience towing with a similar vehicle?

My C Class was AMG Line as is my E Class, I was under the impression that it is the Extra Trim Panels that configure the Car to be AMG Line that are basically in the way of the Chassis that the Tow Bar is bolted on to, not the fact the couldn't Tow, I may be wrong and I don't have my Handbook to hand (No pun intended)

 

[JDPEClassUK]

I have a GLA 200CDI AMG Line and was looking at installing a tow bar to tow a boat weighing around 750 kgs very short distances. Mercedes don’t seem to manufacture a tow bar for my type
Of vehicle so I found one to purchase online. When going through the owners manual of the car though it states that AMG line cars are not meant to be used for towing. Big Dilemma. Can anybody advise why MB are stating this and if they have any experience towing with a similar vehicle?

First thing to check would be ensure your vehicle is ‘type approved’ for towing. Should indicate on vehicle. (Many models are not and therefore cannot be fitted with any tow bar and tow legally)


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[NikkiZ]

My C Class was AMG Line as is my E Class, I was under the impression that it is the Extra Trim Panels that configure the Car to be AMG Line that are basically in the way of the Chassis that the Tow Bar is bolted on to, not the fact the couldn't Tow, I may be wrong and I don't have my Handbook to hand (No pun intended)

John, thanks for your input. I think it really has got something to do with the trim, since a standard GLA could tow a trailer. I have found a manufacturer who has a towbar for the AMG Line so I will be going for this. Thanks again

 

[NikkiZ]

T

First thing to check would be ensure your vehicle is ‘type approved’ for towing. Should indicate on vehicle. (Many models are not and therefore cannot be fitted with any tow bar and tow legally)


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Thanks Fir the tip JDPE. I will double check this

 

[James Copeland]

Does your insurance cover non type approved cars for towing?

 

[JDPEClassUK]

Does your insurance cover non type approved cars for towing?

I don’t think any insurance company would cover non-type approved vehicles. [emoji1696]the OP’s vehicle is TA.


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[BTB 500]

T


Thanks Fir the tip JDPE. I will double check this

Check the VIN plate - if it gives a maximum train weight you are OK to fit a towbar. Otherwise it's illegal.

 

[Ayeupducks]

Could be wrong and if so sure someone will correct me. I am pretty sure The Caravan and Motorhome Club in 2016 / 2017 awarded the Mercedes GLA an award for best tow car in it's class. I too have a Mercedes E Class Estate AMG Sport which has a factory fitted tow bar and I am confident that when Mercedes state that Mercedes AMG cars are not suitable for towing they are referring to the high performance AMG vehicles such as the C55 and E55 / E65 and not just those such as E220 / E250 / E350 which are a cosmetic AMG body kit model. Hope this helps......

 

[BTB 500]

Could be wrong and if so sure someone will correct me. I am pretty sure The Caravan and Motorhome Club in 2016 / 2017 awarded the Mercedes GLA an award for best tow car in it's class. I too have a Mercedes E Class Estate AMG Sport which has a factory fitted tow bar and I am confident that when Mercedes state that Mercedes AMG cars are not suitable for towing they are referring to the high performance AMG vehicles such as the C55 and E55 / E65 and not just those such as E220 / E250 / E350 which are a cosmetic AMG body kit model. Hope this helps......

EC type approval is done at individual model level - it's all down to whether MB put that particular one through the process or not. Ones that aren't approved may be physically quite capable of towing, but it would be illegal to do so.

 

[renault12ts]

As above.

This is a problem for MB. People buy cars in good faith and then are faced with this nonsense.

 

[NikkiZ]

Thank you all for your input. I have been reading up on the information you all provided. I went through the vehicle manual thoroughly and found out that the vehicle identification plate actually shows the maximum permissible gross vehicle weight as 2020kgs and the maximum permissible gross weight of vehicle/trailer combination as 3540 kgs. I suppose I can safely conclude that the vehicle can tow a trailer and is EC approved for it.

Thanks once again to all.

 

[JDPEClassUK]

Thank you all for your input. I have been reading up on the information you all provided. I went through the vehicle manual thoroughly and found out that the vehicle identification plate actually shows the maximum permissible gross vehicle weight as 2020kgs and the maximum permissible gross weight of vehicle/trailer combination as 3540 kgs. I suppose I can safely conclude that the vehicle can tow a trailer and is EC approved for it.

Thanks once again to all.

[emoji1360] Great news.


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[NikkiZ]

Check the VIN plate - if it gives a maximum train weight you are OK to fit a towbar. Otherwise it's illegal.

Spot on! The VIP does quote the train weight. Many thanks!

 

[219]

I don’t think any insurance company would cover non-type approved vehicles. [emoji1696]the OP’s vehicle is TA.


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Except where Type approval is not required , as the vehicle predates the requirement : I can legally fit a tow bar to my R129 , but owners of later ones cannot .

 

[JDPEClassUK]

Except where Type approval is not required , as the vehicle predates the requirement : I can legally fit a tow bar to my R129 , but owners of later ones cannot .

Correct :

European type approval 94/20/EC

In the U.K, with effect from 1st August 1998 all Passenger Carrying Vehicles up to 3500kgs Gross Vehicle Weight (M1 Vehicles) can only be fitted with European Type Approved towbars if the vehicle has received European Whole Vehicle Type Approval.


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