Towing

Des A.
The TARE is irrelevent as that's the unladen weight vof the van.
Its the loaded weight of the van that's imprortant.
The ATM is the maximum legal loaded weight including water etc.
With a Tare of 2300 the ATM will be at least 2700Kg.

If you wish to maintains a safe ball weight the ML350 will be unsuitable.
The ML350 tow capacity is 2260 with a max ball weight of 225Kg.
However the tow capicity can be increased to 3000Kg, but ball weight is reduced to a piddling 140Kg for tow weights in excess of 2260Kg.

Time for a rethink about a suitable tow vehicle.
Cheers,
Ozjohn.

Those who tow with Falcons and Commodores are towing with IRS.Cant be too much of a problem if you stay within the max tow load and ball weight

My Landrover has independent suspension and tows 3.5t no issues and has a 350kg tow ball weight.

Des
The ML has a very strong chassis and is a superb towing vehicle. The distorted body must have been in your dreams. Eric

The ML350 does indeed have a moncoque body according to the specs,I assume you understand the terminology.
I dont doubt its towing prowess if used within specs,but thats the same with everything.

I'm guessing you're talking the original ml series. Yes, they had a woeful reputation for bending, backs dropping off, tow racks falling out on the road etc. Daimler Chrysler had a little punch up with an aust tow bar manufacturer over it and lost.
Looks like they've worked out how to attach a load to a monocoque finally.
I wonder have they worked out how to keep IRS aligned as it goes up and down over the bumps yet? Going to cost a packet in tyres towing a van with one I'd guess.

The ML350 tow capacity is 2260 with a max ball weight of 225Kg.
However the tow capicity can be increased to 3000Kg, but ball weight is reduced to a piddling 140Kg for tow weights in excess of 2260Kg.

Gentlemen.
I have owned 5 Mercs and I do understand the chassis / monocoque thing. The ML definitely has a chassis and has never given a moments trouble. I use the MLs around the property to pull down trees and de bog tractors with no hint of body distortion. Eric.