Another little "Gotcha" is that, with the newer G's that do have a trailer hitch, there is no prewired connection in the wiring harness for a brake controller. This is really a stupid oversight on MB's part. Above a certain trailer weight (well under the 7,000 lb towing limit for the G), a brake controller is mandatory in many jurisdictions. I wonder how they expect to have a brake controller wired in by an aftermarket supplier, what with all the computerized nannies in the electrical circuits of the G.
Ganz verrückt!!
That is goofy but Land Rover doesn't have a nice way to interface either that I am aware of, at least not on the Discovery 3 or 4. Land Cruiser however does have it I'm pretty sure I rear recently.
I know on my LR the hitch shop was able to just connect it to the normal things within the braking system.
It sure is annoying though because the factory could integrate these things very easily even if they just make it a small $ option to choose.
Regarding the towing "limit" though, why do you suppose the G is listed at 7000 and not even the 7716 for Land Rover and no where near the 8200 (8500 previously) on the Land Cruiser? They all have essentially the same wheelbase, weigh similarly and have actual ladder frames (LR is actually a hybrid of unibody-on-frame). The G having 2 solid beam axles and steel springs, the Land Cruiser an independent front but solid axle rear both under steel springs, and the Land Rover no steel springs or solid axles with air struts and independent front a rear.
It seems very odd to me. The G's short rear axle to receiver ought to help it be more stable than say my LR3 with it's long distance axle to hitch and air springs. Could it be as simple as the factory springs supplied being the sole limiting factor on the G? The LR3 air struts can only do but so much so while they are incredible up to a certain limit, there is no real way to increase the safe or structural limit. The G or Land Cruiser however can both be fitted with various springs and dampers according to the purpose.
I suppose the other primary factor could be how the receiver attaches to the vehicle/frame.