Tow Trust Towbar S212

[Mark Barrett]

Hi. Hope I'm posting this in the correct place. I want to fit a swan neck towbar to my 2015 E class S212 Estate. I don't want the bolts that bolt the swan neck to the towbar to be seen. The Tow Trust TM12SN seems like it might just do that. Anyone have one of these? I've the link to the fitting instructions below.

Also I'm getting mixed answers on whether if a 7 pin dedicated wiring kit is used that the car has to be reprogrammed or not. One towbar company said it does and others said no it doesn't require reprogramming and that reprogramming is just required on the newer models.

https://tow-trust.s3.amazonaws.com/instructions/TM12SN.pdf

 

[V6Matty]

Not sure about the manufacture myself but regarding the coding, yes it will if you want things like sensors to work correctly, however they will work without coding but you’ll have some niggles that can be annoying like parking sensors, ride hight adjustment,

 

[ernieh]

Hi. Hope I'm posting this in the correct place. I want to fit a swan neck towbar to my 2015 E class S212 Estate. I don't want the bolts that bolt the swan neck to the towbar to be seen. The Tow Trust TM12SN seems like it might just do that. Anyone have one of these? I've the link to the fitting instructions below.

Also I'm getting mixed answers on whether if a 7 pin dedicated wiring kit is used that the car has to be reprogrammed or not. One towbar company said it does and others said no it doesn't require reprogramming and that reprogramming is just required on the newer models.

https://tow-trust.s3.amazonaws.com/instructions/TM12SN.pdf

Why not specify a detachable tow bar in which the swan-necked part detaches from the main tow bar without the use of tools. I had a Tow-Trust detachable fitted to the 205 and fitting and removing the ball part is straight forward. When the swan-neck is detached, you can't see the main part of the bar. As others, to prevent annoying warnings, it is best to specify a dedicated wiring kit and have it programmed to the car. For definitive answers, I found it best to speak to a fitter who contracts for main dealers in my area.

Ernie

 

[Mark Barrett]

Thanks for you help above. That makes my mind up, I will get the dedicated wiring kit. I will fit the fixed swan neck from Tow Trust. I spoke to Paul in Towbars direct who was also very helpful and he said the fixed and detachable frames are exactly the same, Only difference is the swan neck and the light socket fitting. A flip plate for the light socket comes with the detachable swan neck but it can be bought as an extra with the fixed swan neck. This allows for the light socket to be hidden when not in use. I don't see the point of a detachable towbar, (I know some folk don't like the look of a towbar) when every time you want to use it, it must be taken on and off and it is a handy object to have to protect the bumper from other cars.

 

[EmilysDad]

..... I don't see the point of a detachable towbar, (I know some folk don't like the look of a towbar) ....

and that is the point in a detachable tow bar ..... they look horrible

 

[Mark Barrett]

and that is the point in a detachable tow bar ..... they look horrible

Each to their own I suppose.

 

[Jim2]

When I fitted the towbar to my 2010 w212 saloon, I used a by-pass wiring kit...worked perfectly. Now I have upgraded to a 2014 E220 w212, and will fit the towbar that I removed from the 2010 E class. The hook on it is detachable ( undo two bolts ) but I have found that left in place, it actually protects the bumper. so I think that I will leave it in place. I might consider if there is a "factory detachable" hook available which will fit the towbar that I have...but I'd say off hand that they are not available as a separate unit.

 

[ajlsl600]

All mine are fixed,as in fit/forget.if you keep em covered ,ie ball cover and clean they look fine to me.
I fitted the dedicated harness but I not going for any pay to enable scheme along with any unexpected dramas that might follow.
I also have the bypass relay.if I get any bother with dedicated harness I will go the bypass route .

 

[Jim2]

All mine are fixed,as in fit/forget.if you keep em covered ,ie ball cover and clean they look fine to me.
I fitted the dedicated harness but I not going for any pay to enable scheme along with any unexpected dramas that might follow.
I also have the bypass relay.if I get any bother with dedicated harness I will go the bypass route .

There's only a very small bit of damage on the new merc..and it's on the back bumper, and could not have happened if it had a tow bar fitted. It's barely noticable and when I have it off while I'm fitting the tow bar, I'll use a blow dryer to fix it.

 

[Jim2]

All mine are fixed,as in fit/forget.if you keep em covered ,ie ball cover and clean they look fine to me.
I fitted the dedicated harness but I not going for any pay to enable scheme along with any unexpected dramas that might follow.
I also have the bypass relay.if I get any bother with dedicated harness I will go the bypass route .

I've fitted the towbar to the 2014 E class w212....physically, no problem,,,its exactly the same process as in the 2010. But ( there's always a BUT) the relay system I used in the 2010, wont work in the 2014 version. Has to be a dedicated harness, which will need activation via MB main dealership. So if I could ask you how you managed to install it on your's without this trip to the MB Dealership ajlsl600?
Thanks

 

[ajlsl600]

I followed instructions with dedicated harness. I may have problems with rear parking sensors but so far m/,bike trailer has been ok .If I get headache with anything. bigger caravan ? I still have bypass stuff.if you like I will post maker of harness ?
There is no chance I am going to dealer for anything to tow my trailer.its just another rip off scheme.I will wait until someone finds a working way around it,frankly I would rather pay them something that deal with benz.

 

[ajlsl600]

search star updates for w166 towbar electrics
Found it posted below.

 

[ajlsl600]

https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/...pdates-for-tow-electrics.126523/#post-1127371

 

[EmilysDad]

... which will need activation via MB main dealership. ....

does it have to be a main dealer? I'd ask at a proper tow bar place, I'm sure they must be able to programme vehicles for the towbar ....

 

[Tony Dyson]

The installation of the towing module also enables any cockpit indicators your car is fitted with but most importantly changes the driving profile so the auto gearbox copes better with the additional load while touring, some models also need ATF cooling upgrades to cope with the additional generated heat, if all you're doing is occasional runs to the tip and builders merchants then I guess it's not that important but if you're going to be doing some serious family touring with a caravan I would consider fitting a towing module and as ED has mentioned above Witter and other independents will also supply and fit.

 

[Jim2]

does it have to be a main dealer? I'd ask at a proper tow bar place, I'm sure they must be able to programme vehicles for the towbar ....

I'll check that suggestion out EmilysDad. In the 2010 E class, the by-pass relay worked 100%,,,,but with the 2014 Eclass, it won't. So I checked out the PJ Jones ones, with "Plug and Play" capabilities, but they all say "Needs activation". So thats where I'm at now.

 

[Jim2]

I followed instructions with dedicated harness. I may have problems with rear parking sensors but so far m/,bike trailer has been ok .If I get headache with anything. bigger caravan ? I still have bypass stuff.if you like I will post maker of harness ?
There is no chance I am going to dealer for anything to tow my trailer.its just another rip off scheme.I will wait until someone finds a working way around it,frankly I would rather pay them something that deal with benz.

I'd be 100% in agreement with you on that ajlsl600....no problem !!! What make was your dedicated one? And you just plugged in to the SAM at the rear, connected the cable's to the plug socket, and that was it? I'm not worried about sensor's etc. And will only be towing a trailer.. and not a very heavy one either. No caravans, for sure, and daytime driving for the most part. I'd be happy with Indicator's, Brake lights and Park Lights.

 

[Jim2]

The installation of the towing module also enables any cockpit indicators your car is fitted with but most importantly changes the driving profile so the auto gearbox copes better with the additional load while touring, some models also need ATF cooling upgrades to cope with the additional generated heat, if all you're doing is occasional runs to the tip and builders merchants then I guess it's not that important but if you're going to be doing some serious family touring with a caravan I would consider fitting a towing module and as ED has mentioned above Witter and other independents will also supply and fit.

No tony, will not be any heavy or even long distance towing. Heaviest load would be timber blocks ( firewood) from the forestry, or local sawmill. Otherwise whatever comes up "In the line of Duty" as they say....

 

[ajlsl600]

No tony, will not be any heavy or even long distance towing. Heaviest load would be timber blocks ( firewood) from the forestry, or local sawmill. Otherwise whatever comes up "In the line of Duty" as they say....

Same as that .I will review in the unlikely event I buy a van,even the.most likely sell the ml4x4 for sometimg that can tow a van without £1000,s of extras. I will hook out the harness and relay details in the next day or so

 

[ajlsl600]

does it have to be a main dealer? I'd ask at a proper tow bar place, I'm sure they must be able to programme vehicles for the towbar ....

One if the reasons I have not been down this road is the possible. unintended side effects of any such programming. And arguments over any liability. Of the same if I do go down the tow anything big road,I will be fitting my own discreet trans oil temp guage so I can see the before after effects of towing any real weight should it become apparent that there is going to be an issue ii will get something mire capable.