small TT

Digging up an old thread, sorry about that.

We have a Kia as well. Used to have a 2013 V6 and wife just upgraded to 2016 V6 as they gave a great deal. We towed a 2000 lbs GVWR tent trailer last summer and I couldn't feel that trailer when towing even when we had it loaded quite heavily...possibly over GVWR. The new Kia has 5000 lbs towing capacity, but the hitch weight is still just 350 lbs. Our trailer is K-Z Sportsmen 16BH 2140 lbs dry weight, 2700 lbs GVWR and 290 lbs dry hitch. I may regret my decision to tow this trailer with Kia next summer, but I am willing to test it. I may take the 3rd row seats out when towing.

I have seen a photo of somebody towing a Coachmen Clipper 17BH with 2011 Kia Sorento V6. It's over 2800 lbs dry and 3600 lbs GVWR with 406 lbs dry hitch. Photo of the set-up doesn't look good and I would not tow something that heavy.

Sorento Diesel is quite popular tow vehicle in Europe, but the tongue weight is 165 lbs/75 kg or so (different balancing with axle further forward) and the trailers are typically more aerodynamic and the towing speeds are lower everywhere else but France where it's legal to tow 130 km/h.

Disclaimer, I have very little experience towing RV's and might be back later this year telling everybody not to try this.

GrandpaKip wrote:
I wouldn't. That vehicle really isn't made to pull much of anything. Sorry. Everybody I know that has a Kia or Hyaundai SUV has had a miserable towing experience. Total of 4, none positive.

Stop calling the Korean cars SUV. They have zero attributes worth calling them more than a Minivan without sliding doors.

I wouldn't. That vehicle really isn't made to pull much of anything. Sorry. Everybody I know that has a Kia or Hyaundai SUV has had a miserable towing experience. Total of 4, none positive.

cbshoestring wrote:
Figure 2900 hundred...I dare say no....figure the max which is more like 3500.

That is tongue weight 450ish
You 200ish
wife 140ish
kid 1 75ish
kid 2 45ish
dog 30ish

Do you thimk the KIA can safely haul 940lbs of PAYLOAD :h

Check the inside of the driver's door. Should be a sticker that lists the payload.

I didn't even add in the extra you will probably put in the cargo area of the Sorento, the mother-in-law, etc...

Doable---- I hauled a 19' 3500lbs with a V6 Dakota---900ish payload.
fun....NOPE.... and I am an experience tower.

The Dakota had a frame. Kia whatever it is should be stuck to 8 to 10ft popups MAX and it will kill the cuv in no time. Probably has a frontal area limit in the manual and dreams of towing full height trailers will be over.

Figure 2900 hundred...I dare say no....figure the max which is more like 3500.

That is tongue weight 450ish
You 200ish
wife 140ish
kid 1 75ish
kid 2 45ish
dog 30ish

Do you thimk the KIA can safely haul 940lbs of PAYLOAD :h

Check the inside of the driver's door. Should be a sticker that lists the payload.

I didn't even add in the extra you will probably put in the cargo area of the Sorento, the mother-in-law, etc...

Doable---- I hauled a 19' 3500lbs with a V6 Dakota---900ish payload.
fun....NOPE.... and I am an experience tower.

This is going to be tight. You might be able to make it work, short trips, no mountains, and as Gdetrailer said, counting every ounce.

I have knowingly towed different combos that were close to my capacities (note the S, the towing capacity is only one part to consider). It's doable, you can set it up to be safe. You'll have limitations like I stated above. In a year or two you'll most likely be wanting a bigger tow vehicle so that you don't have to count potato chips.

Not to mention that there is a marked difference between towing at or near capacity and towing with a healthy margin. Far nicer and easier to tow with a "right sized" tow vehicle.

joebertaft wrote:
Update on my post,,Im looking at the coachman 17 FQ wt 2731 and hitch wt of 298,,BUT,,im thinking add on a battery and 30 lb propane tank and A/C and awning. Prolly 2900 lbs in the end. My Kia is a 2014 sorento LS with a v6,automatic tranny. Thank you for your help. Joe

Soo, I take it you are not planning to take clothing, bedding, utensils, pots, pans, food, drinks and no passengers?



Unless you planning on counting how many potato chips you are taking I think you will find you are going to be well above the "towing" limits. Battery and Propane (which is not included in "dry weights") most likely will put you right at your "cargo" rating of your vehicle.

Well good luck, I suspect you are not going to like towing after a few trips..

Update on my post,,Im looking at the coachman 17 FQ wt 2731 and hitch wt of 298,,BUT,,im thinking add on a battery and 30 lb propane tank and A/C and awning. Prolly 2900 lbs in the end. My Kia is a 2014 sorento LS with a v6,automatic tranny. Thank you for your help. Joe

DutchmenSport wrote:
My daughter and son-in-law have a Kia (van). They have 4 kids and tow a boat. Now I don't think the boat and trailer it's much over 1000 pounds (it's a John boat), with motor, gear etc. They have no problems towing it.

Funny, he uses the boat for a utility trailer when needed to haul bigger items that won't fit in the car.

I had some 16' pipe my dad wanted 120 miles away. Too long for the pick-up, even with an 8' bed, so I put them in the 14' Aluminum fishing boat I had at that time :B

Keep in mind that a boat hauls much easier than a travel trailer. The frontage on a trailer is considerable larger, and less aerodynamic, then most boats.

so the salesman said ............ what does the literature say?
bumpy