Forum Discussion

rln44's avatar
rln44
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016

tow limits

We recently purchased a Kia Sorrento with the trailer tow package. It is rated to tow 5,000 lbs. Original plan was to purchase a small travel trailer with a dry wt of 3500-4000 lbs. I figured that if we were careful with what we put into the trailer and drained all of the tanks between stops we should be OK. Of course our first visit to a dealer led us to fall in love with a 22' Forest River Surveyor with a dry wt of about 4400 lbs. Common sense tells me that this is too much trailer for the Sorrento-I don't want to be the guy towing a trailer up a mountain climb at 30 mph. We've towed much heavier trailers in the past but with a Suburban and an F350 turbo diesel. Any comments?
Tow Vehicles
  • rjstractor's avatar
    rjstractor
    Nomad
    Jun 17, 2016
    From taking a quick look at the Sorento specs it seems to be a decently capable mid size SUV, with payload ratings of 1300-1500 pounds depending on options, comparable to many pickups. I would think that if you could shoot for a trailer with a dry weight of no more than 3000-3500 pounds you could have a combo that would be safe and satisfactory to drive.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Jun 17, 2016
    The payload capacity of the vehicle is probably more important. The tongue weight of the trailer will usually exceed that before you get to the towing capacity.
  • justafordguy's avatar
    justafordguy
    Explorer
    Jun 17, 2016
    A 4400lb dry TT will be WAY to big for that SUV. For that vehicle you need to find the lightest/shortest TT you can live with.

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