According to the manuals, the G63 seems to have the capacity to tow a braked trailer such as a Brenderup: 112.2 wheelbase, 7000lbs trailer load, 7056 lbs GVWR, 562lbs tongue weight (I cannot find GCWR).
But has anyone actually done this? How did it go? At 76.3 inches, it’s a taller SUV than others of comparable capacity, such as a 4Runner.
(Edited to clarify which G-class SUVs I’m wondering about).
So I have a mercedes G class and cannot imagine towing even a brenderup with it…The issue is not how much it can pull, but your ability to brake with the weight of a horse behind you. Not to mention a load that is in motion… Also, we have a 4Runner as well and it is taller than the GLK (71.5 vs 67 inches) fwiw
Thank you. I too wouldn’t tow with a GLK, but I was actually thinking about an AMG G63 (and I’ve edited my post accordingly to clarify).
I do understand and completely agree that it’s not just about getting the trailer moving, it’s about getting it moving quickly if you need to, and stopping quickly if you need to, and keeping it stable in between. All the numbers I’ve found about both the G63 and the Brenderup indicate they can be paired. I’m just wondering why I’ve never seen it done.
Maybe ‘can be’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘should be’?
Just because the numbers ‘add up’ indicate it is feasible, towing a trailer with an unstable load (horse that moves) and is top heavy (horse on slender legs) with a perhaps marginally suitable tow vehicle doesn’t mean it is a good idea. Or maybe it is an ok idea on roads with minimal traffic, lower speeds, shorter distances vs not ok on interstates with heavy traffic, higher speeds, longer distances?
I’ve always been a fan of being over tow-vehicle’d vs under but that was my personal preference.
Yesterday I drove several miles behind a European trailer pulled by a European car and watched the horses ears over the top of the back door. The ears remained relaxed as the car and trailer travelled along a bendy and undulating European road. They remained relaxed even when a sharp-ish stop was required as the road was unexpectedly blocked by some wally engaged in manoeuvres on the two lane highway. The trailer remained rock steady as the breaks were quickly applied. The horse’s ears remained picked.
Whenever these discussions come up on COTH I feel a need to point out that the roads of Europe aren’t littered with wrecked trailers and injured horses. Indeed, European road and vehicle safety standards are very high.
I suspect, however, that other drivers are the main hazard in the USA as they probably wouldn’t even notice a little Merc towing a 2 horse trailer hidden amongst the traffic. Other drivers are frequently a problem when transporting horses.
We have an AMG G55. I cannot imagine ever wanting to tow a horse trailer with it. It’s a square little thing. It’s 76" height is not what matters in towing capacity. It’s the wheelbase that makes it or breaks it. A 112.2" wheelbase is way too short. By comparison, a Ford Expedition wheelbase is 122-131". The 4-door dually has a wheelbase of 167. That’s what we use for towing even with just the 2 horse bumper pull. I’m with @Where’sMyWhite about always going the safety of having too big of a truck for the trailer.
I have been in Europe riding in a smaller Mercedes SUV towing a lightweight 2 horse trailer. We never hit the speeds driven on US freeways. It was fine for the country I was in with its roundabouts, slower pace, and laid back drivers, mainly because the pace was much slower. I did not find the two-lane European highways to be at all like two-lane US highways.
How many times did you see that rig get passed by a semi going 90 mph?
I was coming back from Tuscon on I-10 in west Texas, I was following an eighteen wheeler in just a passenger car …we were doing 95 and were passed by a state police car that had to be going 115
But back to the European trailers… most if not all European countries limit a horse trailer being towed by a car to 62MPH (100KM) max on the open road, urban areas 50MPH (80KM)
The posted speed limit here is the max speed you can tow at… with some areas posted at 85MPH … Goodyear Endurance N trailer tires are rated to 87MPH
That is fair. However, here there are places where we regularly travel distances that would make European haulers blush. For instance two weekends ago I went from Denver to Kalispell (about the same as going from London to Rome) to compete for a weekend. I averaged 120kph for 17 hours! I regularly haul to Los Angeles, Dallas, and of course the East Coast. I find that a long wheelbase such as found in a pickup absolutely helps control and stability over the long haul, especially in braking situations. Of course, if you never get above 100kph, things change.
A “European” set up works fine in the US if you are in the upper/mid Atlantic coast where speeds and distances are limited. However, anywhere else, you are on open highways or long two lane blacktops where such a set up doesn’t work. For instance, here in Wyoming the speed limit is 80mph (On I-80 and I-25) and if you aren’t doing that, a 40,000 kilo rig doing 80 is going to blow you out of the way. Same for down south in Arizona or across the Mojave on I-40. You need to be able to run 80 (131kph) for HOURS to get somewhere. We run 1600 miles in 24 hours from southern Georgia to Denver.
So the REAL question is WHERE is the OP located?
Aww, now. 
I won’t do faster than 70 if I’m towing my horse because I don’t need to get anywhere that fast on a riding day, but the Bupster (Brenderup Solo) is not remotely phased by 18-wheelers (I doubt they’re carrying the full 80,000 lbs, though) going past doing 80. The Bup just keeps humming along minding its own business and not bothering anyone and taking everything - bumps, quick braking, turns – in stride. I tow with a Dodge Durango, with a 119" wheelbase and actually it’s slightly lighter and has slightly less towing capacity than the OP’s vehicle. If a European set-up otherwise made sense, I would not let fear of truckers keep someone from a European set-up.
I love truckers. Sometimes I think they’re the most courteous, knowledgable drivers out there. If I’m coming onto the freeway via a curvy slow access ramp and traffic is heavy, often a truck will hold the right lane open for me to get on and get up to speed.
Anyway, I’ll get off my soapbox of huffily defending the Bup now, and just offer that maybe the OP hasn’t seen the set-up she’s talking about because trucks and American-style trailers are just that much more prevalent in her local towing culture.
To continue what SharonA started regarding European trailers…the braking system isn’t remotely like anything on most American trailers. The trailer never pushes the towing vehicle. That said, I tow my B-up with a Ford F-150. I inherited that truck so it is paid for and perfectly good for my trailer. I would rather have a Ford Ranger or Chevy Colorado size wise. Either would be fine for my trailer but no car payment is more important so the F-150 it will be. I would make sure the wheelbase is adequate. It sounds like the Mercedes clicks the boxes. I believe Xanthoria hailed for years with a Brenderup and a 4 Runner. Maybe check with her.
Susan
@Kyrabee you’re right! I towed a >2000# Brenderup Baron with a 4Runner for 10 years and it was outstanding. Sold the Brenderup (for 2/3 of its original value!) when my youngster got too big (too long really - 87” blanket). Then I got an EquiTrek which weighs 3000# and still tows with a V8 4Runner wonderfully.
But them I’m originally from the UK. We have a trailering deathwish and only drive on country lanes at 25mph while sipping Pimms and nibbling cucumber sandwiches. ;):D:lol:
I tow my Bockmann with a Toyota Tacoma and have been very happy with it. My barn mate tows hers with a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
I do probably 80% of my hauling on two-lane roads, but the other 20% is on the interstate and I’ve never had any issues. I stay in the right lane under 70 mph. The semis here don’t go 90 mph and I’ve never had an issue when one passes me.
I tow my St Georges Imara (similar to Boeckmann and B’up) with a 2015 Lexus RX350. I only haul 1 horse, mainly on highways, usually 1-3 hr trips. We’re in a busy region of the Great Lakes, but I’ve never had any problems being blown around. As with most Euro trailers, it’s mean to be aerodynamic, stable, and the braking doesn’t rely on the size of the tow vehicle like American trailers do. My vehicle easily meets the specs for hauling my trailer safely and has done so since 2011.
Hills surely matters.
Where I live, every route out of the exurbs involves serious mountain freeways immediately. I just drove up and down the Coquihalla Highway with my F250 and 2 horse bumper pull straight haul old Trailer-et with sway bars. I would not want any less power. This is the kind of freeway where the semi trailers are going 15 mph uphill then booting it on freefall downhill.
The Coquihalla Highway is the star of the reality series a “Highway to Hell” about a team of heavy duty tow wreckers, which you can find on Discovery Channel or similar. It is filmed in the winter, and I wouldn’t dream of hauling up there after snow fall.
It’s a lovely drive in summer. But the drive to our favorite campgrounds takes 2 hours in my Toyota Corolla in the fast lane at 120 kmh, and 4 with the rig topping out at about 90 kmh and mostly staying in the slow lane.
I did drive this highway with the same trailer a couple of times in a NQR very old Ram 1500, and we were crawling up the hills along with the semi trailers.
Anyhow, hauling anywhere in my world involves the transCanada freeway, and hauling anywhere really fun involves crossing a mountain range, and I can’t imagine getting anywhere much with an SUV. Even locally you are going to have some hills getting into the base of the mountains.
True flatland might be different.
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹
FWIW, I suspect most long haul semi’s are hauling close to max load (true, not all are). They don’t make $$ if they aren’t hauling full. If the load doesn’t weigh much that is different but the trailer is probably full. I’d never be driving around semis (and yes, I’ve found most to be better to drive around than the 4-wheelers) assuming they aren’t hauling a full weight load. CDL drivers try to be better because driving problems can cost them their CDL and job.
I used to drive the Grapevine from So Cal up to Bakersfield. I’d much rather share the road with the semis. I also saw the reminders of semi’s who had a less than desirable descent off the Grapevine :eek:
I towed 2 giant horses (1,450lb each) in my boeckmann with a little range rover sport up and down the california grapevine no problem. The tongue weight is very light even fully loaded and the inertia breaks are amazing. I never felt the trailer pushing against the car, even down that very steep pass. The rover wheelbase is 3" longer than the merc but otherwise comparable. Certainly way less power than an AMG model.
In California, you are speed limited with any kind of trailer to 55mph. I also found no major problems passed or being passed by large trucks on the freeway. In Germany, I actually remember being passed by a lady in a station wagon towing a euro trailer. she was braver than i was willing to be in the rain. :eek: I mean, it’s the autobahn after all.
I asked to borrow a friend’s US-made 2 horse to drive around empty for a feel and it’s really different. I completely understand why if you’re hauling a gooseneck or a proper steel US made 2 horse, you want extra power, length and braking. It is putting a long of weight on the back of the truck and that has consequences for the drive.
I feel like Americans think Europe can be crossed from one end to the other in less than an hour, and anything larger than a Volkswagen doesn’t exist. I have no idea how people think Europeans get goods and services without semis or speed limits above 35.
I towed with an 80s Jeep Grand Wagoneer for a few years. I had an all steel 1974 Cotner extra wide horse trailer no dressing room. The mats in those things weighted ton. The Wagoneer has a listed wheelbase of 110". It towed and stopped great. It had a low center of gravity and weighed a ton. On the other hand the Cotner trailer was a beast too. It was a very stable towing set up. I never had an issue stopping or with being pushed around on the highway. I towed on some pretty big highways in PA with that: 422, PA Turnpike, Route 30 bypass and 202. In spots 202 is 3 lanes in each direction. In general due to congestion our speed limit is 55-60 MPH but trust me many people are going 70-80 MPH including tractor trailers. To be fair those old Grand Wagoneers (complete with wood grained side panels) from the 80s were tanks in disguise.
I don’t know enough about that particular Mercedes to be able to comment on it but I don’t totally discount a smaller wheelbase especially with the European trailers. OP has not said what type of driving or how many horses she tends to haul. In general in my area for the majority of the driving I do I can avoid highways. If that is her general driving pattern then that vehicle may work fine for her.
Yes I now tow with a F350 crew cab but I have moved to a trailer with a dressing room. I like the extra room in the cab and due to the property I have a pick up truck bed is very useful. I routinely pick up bulk mulch, lumber, firewood and gravel. I pick-up is just much more convenient for things other than towing a horse trailer.
Reporting back for the benefit of anyone who may be following. Even the Mercedes dealership had never seen one towing a horse trailer before (more below on why I wound up at there).
I spent the last two days roaming about on hills, curves, freeways, and city streets with the G63 and my empty Brenderup Baron L. I floored it uphill and braked hard downhill a few times. I drove across a bridge with strong crosswinds, and was passed a few times by loaded semis with my foot off the accelerator to check for sway* (none). Frankly I couldn’t tell the trailer was there. Of course, a loaded trailer will be different, but I have no reason to think the G63 won’t perform at least as well as my previous 4Runner V8.
That said: I firmly agree with everyone who has pointed out that you always want as much truck as you can get and more truck than you need, because what matters isn’t whether you can move, steer, and stop the trailer in good conditions, but whether you can move it quickly, stop it quickly, and keep it stable in emergency situations. If I had my druthers, I’d have a horsebox. Failing that, a semi or at least a 3/4 ton pickup. But if one is limited to an SUV and has a G63 in the garage, it will serve, with a trailer designed for dinky tow vehicles (Brenderup, Boeckmann, etc.). I wouldn’t use it, or any SUV, to tow horses in any other trailer. And I would never feel comfortable with less than a V8 or with an aftermarket hitch (you need the transmission and cooling features of the OEM tow packages).
As for why I wound up at the dealership: the Brenderup’s electrical plug is a 6-round, and the G63’s plug is a 7-blade. It turns out that not every adapter labeled “6-round to 7-blade” will do; you need to find one like the Hopkins multi-tow that includes the center pin on the vehicle side of the adapter or else “Nein nein nein das geht nicht!” and the trailer lights won’t work.
[ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“title”:“Wrong 6r to 7b adapter.jpg”,“data-attachmentid”:10713012}[/ATTACH][ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“title”:“right 6r to 7b adapter.jpg”,“data-attachmentid”:10713013}[/ATTACH]
*A note on sway: Brenderups supposedly don’t have issues with sway, but I had sway problems with my 4Runner V8 and my Baron L. I’m not the only one, either. After discussions with both Mr. Truck and Mr. Trailer, my working hypothesis was that the angled back of the non-L Brenderups contributes to the anti-sway design, and when you take that away for the extra length of the L version, you may lose some stability. So, I upgraded my tires from passenger tires to Sprinter tires (Continental Vancos), which have a “C” (European commercial) load rating and run at 55 PSI, but come in the correct size (205/65R15). It will take a few more trips to be sure, but I think that may be the answer.
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