2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Base Max Towing Capacity & Payload
Max Towing Capacity
6,600 lbs
Safe limit: 5,280 lbs (80% rule)
Max Payload
—
Often the real limiting factor
Fuel Economy
19.4 mpg
18 city / 24 hwy (EPA Est.)
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Base is rated to tow up to 6,600 lbs powered by the 3.5L. For real-world towing, the practical limit is 5,280 lbs — that's 80% of max, giving you margin for hills, headwinds, and load variation. Always verify your door-sticker payload rating, as it's often the real limiting factor once passengers, gear, and tongue weight are factored in. With this setup, you're looking at most travel trailers and slide-in campers.
Recommended Equipment
Towing Gear for This Truck
Matched to this trim's Class III hitch class and 6,600 lb tow rating
Class III Hitch Receiver
Required for towing. 2" receiver is standard on tow-equipped models.
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Trailer Wiring Adapter
7-pin to 4-pin adapters for trailer brake lights and signals.
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Brake Controller
Required by law in most states for trailers over 3,000 lbs.
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Weight Distribution Hitch
Strongly recommended for trailers over 6,000 lbs to level the load and reduce sway.
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Full Data
Specifications
Towing & Capacity
Engine & Performance
Dimensions
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Towing
Payload & Weight
Curb Weight
0 lbs
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Engine
Engine
3.5L
Horsepower
302 HP @ 6500 rpm
Torque
273 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
Transmission
7-speed shiftable automatic
Drive Type
Rear Wheel Drive
Fuel Type
Premium unleaded (required)
Fuel Tank
24.6 gallons
Fuel Economy (EPA)
City18 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Combined20 mpg
Real-World (Fuelly, 16 owners)19.4 mpg
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Dimensions
Overall Length189.1"
Overall Width78.9"
Height70.7"
What Can I Tow?
RV Class Compatibility
Based on a safe tow limit of 5,280 lbs. Shows what % of each RV class in our database you can tow.
RV Type
Weight Range
Coverage
Status
Travel Trailers
Bumper Pull
1,100 – 89,950 lbs
Limited
Toy Haulers
5th / Bumper
1,300 – 112,250 lbs
Limited
Destination Trailers
Bumper Pull
9,800 – 16,500 lbs
Out of Range
Fifth Wheels
5th Wheel
1,176 – 24,000 lbs
Out of Range
⚠ Vehicle capacity only — does not include passengers, gear, or tongue weight. Run the full calculator →
Compare Configurations
Other 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Trims
| Configuration | Max Towing | MPG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic AWD | 7,700 lbs | 22.0 mpg | View → |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Base RWD | 7,700 lbs | 23.0 mpg | View → |
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic AWD | 7,700 lbs | 15.7 mpg | View → |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic AWD | 7,700 lbs | 21.0 mpg | View → |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Base RWD | 5,950 lbs | 22.0 mpg | View → |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic AWD | 7,700 lbs | 18.6 mpg | View → |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Base RWD | 5,950 lbs | 18.6 mpg | View → |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic AWD | 7,700 lbs | 18.2 mpg | View → |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Base RWD | 5,950 lbs | 18.2 mpg | View → |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic AWD | 7,700 lbs | 19.2 mpg | View → |
Questions & Answers
Common Questions
How much can I actually tow with my 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Base?
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The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Base is rated at 6,600 lbs maximum — but the real-world best practice is the 80% rule: target 5,280 lbs as your practical limit. This gives you margin for hills, headwinds, braking distance, and real-world load variance. More critically, check your payload first — the door sticker tells you your specific truck's limit, and payload may be your actual binding constraint.
What about payload — how much stuff can I put in the truck?
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You have 0 lbs of payload capacity — that's everything going IN the truck: passengers (~150 lbs each), camping gear, coolers, and critically the tongue weight from your trailer. For bumper pull trailers, tongue weight is typically 10–15% of the trailer's loaded weight. It fills up faster than most people expect, especially on longer trips.
What kind of hitch do I need?
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For the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 Base, you need a Class III receiver hitch rated for 6,600 lbs. Don't skimp here — the hitch is the critical link between truck and trailer. For fifth wheel towing, you'll need a dedicated kingpin-style fifth wheel hitch mounted in the truck bed.
What types of RVs will work with my truck?
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With your 5,280 lb safe towing capacity, you're looking at most travel trailers and slide-in campers. The compatibility chart above shows what percentage of each RV class in our database you can handle. Use the Tow Calculator to check a specific RV including gear, water, and passengers.
What does GVWR mean and why should I care?
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GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — the maximum your truck can weigh when fully loaded with people, gear, and fuel. Your truck's GVWR is 0 lbs. Exceed it and you're over-stressing brakes, suspension, and tires. This is different from towing capacity — it's about what the truck itself can carry.
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