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simssj · 07-26-2019, 08:37 AM

Wife just bought a 2016 Mercedes GLA250 and wants to replace the Jeep Liberty we currently use as our toad.

I've been looking into it and it seems that, with the appropriate dolly, this is possible except for one nagging detail: The car features an electric parking on the rear wheels and I haven't found a foolproof way to disable that "feature."

I'm hoping someone out there may have experience, or know someone who does, with this car, or it's sibling, the GLC250.

Anyone know of any toad-towers using one of these MB grocery-getters?

...sjs...
2008 SportsCoach Encore

luvlabs · 07-26-2019, 02:12 PM

Is this a front wheel drive? I don’t believe it is and your hope of towing on a dolly is not going to happen. You can haul it on a trailer if you want. Open or enclosed is your choice.

**Spdracr39** · 07-26-2019, 02:44 PM

Only on a car trailer. Mercedes has no towable options.

jcussen · 07-26-2019, 03:08 PM

https://www.cars.com/research/merced...-gla_250-2019/
You can get them in FWD only.
On my older 14 MB, I can leave in neutral with engine off, parking brake should not on then.

theroc · 07-26-2019, 03:45 PM

From what I see, there were two versions of the 2016 GLC, a FWD model and an AWD Model (4MATIC).

I'm looking at your owner's manual and it seems to imply that a FWD model can be towed with the front wheels elevated. As to the parking brake issue, again, it does give step-by-step instructions on how to tow with the front wheels elevated. However, they never refer to it as "recreational towing" or towing on a dolly.

If it's a 4MATIC, then the manual states specifically that it can't be towed with either axle lifted. However, it is stated that it --4MATIC-- can be towed 4-down BUT only a maximum of 30 miles with the towing speed of 30 mph not being exceeded. Therefore, it obviously can't be flat-towed for recreational purposes behind a motorhome

I'll let you take a look at that and you and others here can interpret what's written in the manual as you see fit. I've attached the appropriate pages (333-336) so others can help interpret what I'm saying is correct or incorrect.

To me, it sounds as if it can be dolly-towed with the parking brake not being a problem but since I'm not familiar with the vehicle itself, it's only my own opinion.

Perhaps you can post the question in one of the Mercedes forums or check with a mechanic who is familiar with them as to the parking brake issue.

theroc · 07-26-2019, 05:17 PM

I think I got a few things wrong in my post above but it's too late to delete it. Disregard that post as what happens a lot nowadays, I post faulty information. My apologies.

simssj · 07-27-2019, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvlabs

Is this a front wheel drive? I don’t believe it is.

There are two variations: An AWD (which this ISN'T) and a FWD (which this is).

simssj · 07-27-2019, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theroc

I'm looking at your owner's manual and it seems to imply that a FWD model can be towed with the front wheels elevated. As to the parking brake issue, again, it does give step-by-step instructions on how to tow with the front wheels elevated. However, they never refer to it as "recreational towing" or towing on a dolly.

I'll let you take a look at that and you and others here can interpret what's written in the manual as you see fit. I've attached the appropriate pages (333-336) so others can help interpret what I'm saying is correct or incorrect.

To me, it sounds as if it can be dolly-towed with the parking brake not being a problem but since I'm not familiar with the vehicle itself, it's only my own opinion.

Perhaps you can post the question in one of the Mercedes forums or check with a mechanic who is familiar with them as to the parking brake issue.

Thank you! I've looked at that section of the manual and it strikes me as having been written in a somewhat unclear fashion.

My next step is to consult with one of the types of professionals you suggest, but I was hopeful someone here had first-hand experience.