Kia Sorento 6cyl 2WD sufficient to trailer 26X??
-
squirrelly
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:33 am
- Location: Jacksonville, Florida MACX5192J202
Kia Sorento 6cyl 2WD sufficient to trailer 26X??
Getting conflicting information. Kia says 3500 lbs towing capacity - 350 tongue weight. What say ye?? Ok for short hauls?? Ok for 1-long haul - SC to North FL? Not ok at all???
-
Chip Hindes
- Admiral
- Posts: 2166
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:13 am
- Location: West Sand Lake, NY '01X, "Nextboat" 50HP Tohatsu
According to the Kia website, the Sorento is rated for 3500 (see owners' manual). I suspect the "see owners' manual" part, as with most, has all sorts of dire warnings about this being with a 90 lb body weight driver, no passengers, no cargo, downhill on a day between 50-55 degrees F, etc. Sometimes they even downrate the cargo/towing capacity by the additional weight of 4WD, if you have it, and if you have the manual instead of the auto trans they'll probably drop it by at least 1000 lbs.
A 50HP-motored Mac with a normal amount of standard cruising gear is almost certain to exceed 3500 lbs, and more likely it will be pushing 4000 lbs.
I've always maintained as well, with the single axle, high CG, high windage and 30 foot length the Mac on the trailer is no ordinary 4000 lb towed load.
I've also stated that coming close to or exceeding the GVWR or towed load ratings isn't like falling off a cliff, in that 3499 is perfectly OK and 3501 will result in instant catastrophe.
Bottom line: your Sorento is marginal at best. Can you do it? Sure. Should you do it? Probably not, though I'm sure you'll find at least one who already has done it and will swear it couldn't be easier.
I towed my 26X with an Explorer 4x4, 4000 lb tow rating, short distances for 2 years. Did it work? Yes, and without major problems. Many others have done it as well. Was it easy? Not by any measure, and when it came time to fix or replace just before my trip 1500 mi each way to FL and back, I upgraded to an Expedition.
I understand the Kia warranty is one of the best in the business. You might consider that before you go exceeding the recommended GVWR, 'cause if it breaks, they're almost sure to question what you've been doing to it.
A 50HP-motored Mac with a normal amount of standard cruising gear is almost certain to exceed 3500 lbs, and more likely it will be pushing 4000 lbs.
I've always maintained as well, with the single axle, high CG, high windage and 30 foot length the Mac on the trailer is no ordinary 4000 lb towed load.
I've also stated that coming close to or exceeding the GVWR or towed load ratings isn't like falling off a cliff, in that 3499 is perfectly OK and 3501 will result in instant catastrophe.
Bottom line: your Sorento is marginal at best. Can you do it? Sure. Should you do it? Probably not, though I'm sure you'll find at least one who already has done it and will swear it couldn't be easier.
I towed my 26X with an Explorer 4x4, 4000 lb tow rating, short distances for 2 years. Did it work? Yes, and without major problems. Many others have done it as well. Was it easy? Not by any measure, and when it came time to fix or replace just before my trip 1500 mi each way to FL and back, I upgraded to an Expedition.
I understand the Kia warranty is one of the best in the business. You might consider that before you go exceeding the recommended GVWR, 'cause if it breaks, they're almost sure to question what you've been doing to it.