Suspension damage
So, according to the dealer, my 2016 Kia Sorento will soon need new rear suspension trail arms. They claim it is damage from towing so the warranty won't cover it.
Now, my Sorento, a 2016 FWD V6 Sorento, is rated to 3500LBS. The exact same suspension components are found on the AWD version which is rated to 5K, as well as the Hyundai Santa Fe which is rated to 5K in AWD or FWD. My pop up (which I just sold) is just under 2K dry weight, and since I usually camp alone (and when I haven't, my guests came in their own car) I am always under 2500LBS in total weight for the camper. Oh yeah, and in almost 3 years, I have only towed it around 1000 miles (mostly highway, reasonable speeds, careful over speed bumps).
So, is the dealer right that towing well under my vehicle's published capabilities for around 1000 miles has caused damage to my rear suspension? Or, is it more likely that my suspicion is correct that they saw the trailer hitch and wiring and figured they could weasel out of having to bill the factory for an expensive warranty repair?
Edit:
Somewhat off topic (but not really):
I've sold the camper. Between the suspension issue (which I haven't fixed yet), recurrent AC issues (it dies every 7-8 months and I fix it every spring), several smaller issues, and it being 4500 miles until the warranty expires (about 2-3 months with my driving patterns) I'm going to trade my CUV in soon. I've decided that one vehicle that does it all doesn't work for me. I drive around 20K miles a year. Even a CUV with decent mileage like my Sorento (21-25 most of the time) is a little low for the day to day miles I drive. Meanwhile, I think I'd like a larger trailer next time, at least one with a real bathroom and shower. So, one car to do it all just doesn't cut it. So, my plan is to buy a 30-33 day to day MPG compact car (probably a Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra) or a 50ish MPG hybrid (probably a Prius, Camry Hybrid or Accord Hybrid, but maybe a Hyundai Ionic or Kia Niro) and pay it off in 2 years (used compact), 3 years (new compact or used midsized hybrid) or 4 years (new hybrids) and go back to tent camping. Then when it is paid off for a year or so get a truck that can tow a 20' (+ or -) camping trailer and new camper.
Now, my Sorento, a 2016 FWD V6 Sorento, is rated to 3500LBS. The exact same suspension components are found on the AWD version which is rated to 5K, as well as the Hyundai Santa Fe which is rated to 5K in AWD or FWD. My pop up (which I just sold) is just under 2K dry weight, and since I usually camp alone (and when I haven't, my guests came in their own car) I am always under 2500LBS in total weight for the camper. Oh yeah, and in almost 3 years, I have only towed it around 1000 miles (mostly highway, reasonable speeds, careful over speed bumps).
So, is the dealer right that towing well under my vehicle's published capabilities for around 1000 miles has caused damage to my rear suspension? Or, is it more likely that my suspicion is correct that they saw the trailer hitch and wiring and figured they could weasel out of having to bill the factory for an expensive warranty repair?
Edit:
Somewhat off topic (but not really):
I've sold the camper. Between the suspension issue (which I haven't fixed yet), recurrent AC issues (it dies every 7-8 months and I fix it every spring), several smaller issues, and it being 4500 miles until the warranty expires (about 2-3 months with my driving patterns) I'm going to trade my CUV in soon. I've decided that one vehicle that does it all doesn't work for me. I drive around 20K miles a year. Even a CUV with decent mileage like my Sorento (21-25 most of the time) is a little low for the day to day miles I drive. Meanwhile, I think I'd like a larger trailer next time, at least one with a real bathroom and shower. So, one car to do it all just doesn't cut it. So, my plan is to buy a 30-33 day to day MPG compact car (probably a Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra) or a 50ish MPG hybrid (probably a Prius, Camry Hybrid or Accord Hybrid, but maybe a Hyundai Ionic or Kia Niro) and pay it off in 2 years (used compact), 3 years (new compact or used midsized hybrid) or 4 years (new hybrids) and go back to tent camping. Then when it is paid off for a year or so get a truck that can tow a 20' (+ or -) camping trailer and new camper.
