Can a Mercedes GLA tow a caravan?

By Elaine Knight
Page last updated: 24/09/2023 | Next review date: 24/09/2025
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Elaine Knight
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In this article, we will answer the following question: Can a Mercedes GLA tow a caravan? We review the new Mercedes GLA and help you calculate the towing capacity of any car.

Can a Mercedes GLA tow a caravan?

With a braked towing capacity of 1800kg, most Mercedes GLA models can tow a caravan. Additionally, with 208bhp and 258lb-ft of torque, the GLA will do more than a decent job. Also, the new 2.0-litre / 184 hp petrol engine of the GLA 220 4Matic is one of the most refined and makes it a perfect choice for towing. 

Mercedes Benz GLA Towing Capacity

Car modelUnbraked towing capacityBraked towing capacity
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS AMG HATCHBACK GLA N kgN kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS DIESEL HATCHBACK GLA 200d 4Matic AMG Line 5dr Auto750 kg1,800 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS DIESEL HATCHBACK GLA 200d 4Matic AMG Line 5dr Auto [Executive]750 kg1,800 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS GLA 200d 4Matic Sport 5dr Auto [Executive] diesel hatchback750 Kg1800 Kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 200 AMG Line 5dr695 kg1,400 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 200 AMG Line 5dr Auto715 kg1,400 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 200 SE 5dr695 kg1,400 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 200 SE 5dr [Executive]695 kg1,400 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 200 SE 5dr Auto715 kg1,400 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 200 SE 5dr Auto [Executive]715 kg1,400 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 200 Sport 5dr695 kg1,400 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 200 Sport 5dr Auto715 kg1,400 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 250 4Matic AMG Line 5dr Auto [Executive]750 kg1,800 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 250 4Matic AMG Line 5dr Auto [Premium Plus]750 kg1,800 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 250 4Matic AMG Line 5dr Auto [Premium]750 kg1,800 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 250 4Matic Sport 5dr Auto750 kg1,800 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 250 4Matic Sport 5dr Auto [Executive]750 kg1,800 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 250 4Matic Sport 5dr Auto [Premium Plus]750 kg1,800 kg
Mercedes Benz GLA CLASS HATCHBACK GLA 250 4Matic Sport 5dr Auto [Premium]750 kg1,800 kg

Mercedes Benz GLA: a complete review

Mercedes-Benz GLA is a compact crossover whose main competitors are the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. If you ask me, the GLA is a Mercedes-Benz Class A on steroids, massive-aggressive on the outside, a more spacious idea on the inside and with higher ground clearance, enough to allow you to go out with it on country roads.

Mercedes-Benz began renovating its compact range in 2015. Launched a little later than the other models, its compact GLA SUV only benefited from the rejuvenation operation this year. The wait was worth it, however, as GLA is now much more refined and somewhat more competent, both on the road and off-road. 

The novelties are both cosmetic and technical, between changes mentioning the new LED headlights that replace the previous ones with xenon, but also new assistance systems. Opening the trunk can now be done without the help of your hands, by operating a sensor under the rear bar with your foot. In addition, new driver assistance systems are available.

The Class A facelift brought a more comfortable running gear for those who complained about exactly this shortcoming of the compact Mercedes. The same treatment now benefits from the GLA brother, which offers potential buyers a selection of three running trains. 

The standard suspension is naturally offered, depending on your preferences, and either a sport suspension with a lower ground clearance (together with the AMG Line package or the Dynamic Handling package) or one adapted to off-road routes can be configured, with ground clearance increased by 30 mm.

The new 220 4Matic petrol engine ensures the transition from the 156 hp of the GLA 200 version to the 211 hp of the GLA 250 version. As always when the all-wheel-drive system is configured, the connection to the engine is ensured by the 7G dual-clutch gearbox DCT, which changes gears quickly and, in most cases, is smooth enough.

If in Comfort mode the gearbox is quite stubborn when downshifting, insisting on choosing a longer gear than necessary, the Sport mode ensures much faster changes and much higher engine speeds. It has a very pleasant nervous sound, even if at highway speeds the feeling of sportiness has to suffer somewhat.

The direction is precise, but with a feeling-oriented towards comfort, an aspect also underlined by GLA’s character. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive system favours operation in front-wheel-drive mode, only in case of loss of grip directing up to 50% of torque on the rear. Thus, the behaviour is slightly understeer at the limit.

Technical data Mercedes-Benz GLA 220 DCT 4Matic

  • L4 engine, turbo, petrol
  • Cylinder 1991 cc 
  • Maximum power 184 hp / 5500 rpm
  • Maximum torque 300 Nm / 1200 rpm
  • All-wheel-drive, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
  • 0-100 km / h 7.1 s
  • Speed maximum of 230 km / h
  • Average consumption 6.5 l / 100 km
  • CO2 emissions 152 g / km.

How to calculate the towing capacity of your car

To know for sure whether your car will be able to tow a caravan or a fully loaded trailer, you have to understand the following basic concepts: 

  1. Maximum Authorized Weight: Each vehicle (truck, caravan, trailer, a semi-trailer) corresponds to a Maximum Authorized Weight or maximum laden mass of the car (Maximum authorized mass).

It corresponds to the maximum weight that the vehicle must not exceed, load included. It is indicated in kilograms on new grey cards in European format. It was noted in tonnes on the old registration cards. The MAW is defined according to the number of axles. It is also indicated on the vehicle’s tare plate and on its certificate of conformity.

  1.  Total authorized rolling weight: Also LMA (Loaded Mass of the Assembly) corresponds to the sum of the maw of the towing vehicle and of the caravan. It is indicated in kilograms under column F3 of new grey cards in European format.

On the one hand, logically, and independently of the road combination, the actual weight of the car (that indicated on a scale during a weighing) must not exceed the MAM indicated on its vehicle registration card and the actual weight of the trailer must not exceed the MAM  indicated on the trailer’s registration document either.

On the other hand, the assembly’s actual weight (weight of the car + caravan indicated on the scale during a weighing) must not exceed the MAW indicated on the vehicle registration card.

For example, if the car weighs 1 ton, the caravan 1 ton, then the scale indicates that this tractor unit weighs 2 tons. If the grey card means in column F3 that the MAW, in other words, the road combination must not exceed 1.5 tonnes, that is not alright.

  1. Finally, the last and more complicated rule, the caravan’s real weight must not exceed 1.3 times the real weight of the car. So if weighing the scale indicates that the caravan weighs 1.3 tons, you cannot drive if the car weighs less than 1 ton.

Conclusions

First of all, you really can’t help but look after this card on the street. You can not. The shape and colour actually turn your head. I felt it at every street corner, at every traffic light and at every overtaking. It’s an eye-catching car, and the pearly green colour (Elbaite) makes it even more eye-catching.

The new GLA Class uses the Class A platform and is the fourth Mercedes-Benz model to use it. Even if we can’t call it an SUV, but rather a crossover, GLA looks very good with a bold and practical look, perfectly matching the Romanian landscape… better than the A-Class.

If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know.

FAQ on Can a Mercedes GLA tow a caravan?

 Is Mercedes GLA worth buying?

The Mercedes GLA is definitely worth buying as it is a reliable and luxurious subcompact SUV. GLA is now much more refined and somewhat more competent, both on the road and off-road. 

What can a Mercedes GLA tow?

A Mercedes GLA can tow any trailer or caravan within the legal towing limits of 1800 kg. 

With a kerbweight of 1775kg, it has an 85% match figure of 1509kg, the highest of any in the range.

How much can a gle350 tow?

A GLE 350 can tow up to 5,950 pounds. 

References

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