E Class towbar electrics

The only way to be sure is to specify fully wired electrics when the vehicle is ordered and get it confirmed in writing.

I didn't order my ML new so have no idea what was requested when ordered but my factory tow bar's electrics power my fridge

Thank you for the information 

I ordered the car yesterday and was told the it would arrive from the factory with the towbar and electrics fitted, but would need to be in the workshop for some further modifications.  No one could confirm that it would have all electrical connections for the van fridge etc straight from the factory although I was assured that everything will work when I collect the car next year

I feel it would be better all in one electrical harness from build rather than add ons by the dealer

My BMWs were ordered with a written instruction for full electrics and they both arrived without.  The current one’s first trip was to the van to check the fridge having been assured it would work.  It didn’t and was in the dealership for two days having an extra wiring harness fitted without charge

At the end of 2017, I took delivery of an E Class E350 All terrain which comes with a factory fitted towbar.

Probably the best factory fitted towbar I have ever had, much better than my current Range Rover Sport in that when the towbar is retracted it has its own cover over the ball and does not need cleaning when opened up again for use.

I did not need to have the electrics adapted - they worked fine.

Hope this helps

I have a 21 Plate GLE, I would expect the factory tow bar electrics on the E class estate to be the same and mine works fine.

Not sure I understand why there would be further modifications for a factory fitted tow bar!

One thing to be aware of is that the tow ball may come (like mine) with the sensor ring around the centre of the ball. Mercedes do not recommend that these be used with trailer hitches that have anti snaking clamps. My dealer suggested that I should not engage the lever on the Al-Ko hitch (as if!). This issue has been covered on Audi forums and, I believe that, Audi finally agreed that it was OK to use an Al-Ko hitch on this type of ball.

My current GLE 350 has a factory fitted tow bar that is wired fully.  My previous S350 had a retrofit OEM towbar fully wired. That required a cooling fan change as part of the job.

Both are/were electrically deployed. Neither required any messing with the towball like rubbing the paint off.

MB tend to know what they are doing, BMW don't! in respect of wiring.

I had an E class back in 2013 and that factory fit tow bar and electrics worked everything.

Since then I have had 2 BMW's and you are right both had to have the additional electrics fitted by the dealer.

Thank you for all the replies

The car will arrive from the factory with all the necessary connections for the caravan equipment 

Roger P.  My misunderstanding, it won’t need any modifications at the dealer workshop

Cheers everyone