We are thinking about getting a small, lightweight trailer, either a hard-side or a hybrid. Pop-ups are not an option. We have a Kia Sorento SUV with a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. From what we can tell, Coachmen Clippers up to 17' fall within that rating but we aren't sure what it would actually be like on the road, especially in the foothills and mountains. I know there are other models similar to that but we don't know much about them. Does anyone have experience with this car or this weight rating? Any recommendations? We really prefer not to have to sell the car and get a truck, but will consider that if necessary. Thanks!

The problem with a hybrid is the height of it and the drag. A hard side, if I understand what you are talking about (A-liner type), might still be a little taller than you would want behind you. You would probably be better off with a popup, but make sure it has it's own brakes because it will probably try to push you instead of stopping.I'm normally not part of the weight police, but in my opinion, a Kia Sorento is not a big enough vehicle to be able to properly pull anything more than a popup. As I said, that's MY OPINION. I'm sure others will chime in. Do your homework and do not take the word of a trailer salesman. They are just trying to clear their lot.

That's what we were afraid of. A friend who has a Casita says she can tow it behind her mini-van, which sounds a little unlikely to me. I"m afraid we have a truck in our future.Actually, by hard-side, I meant a hard-sided box, without the tented flip-out beds. A very small travel trailer.Thanks!

I forgot to mention - we've been working on this for several weeks. Part of the confusion is that the dry weight of some of the units we've looked at is well below 3000 lbs., which makes it appear that we could tow them if we drain all tanks and pack carefully. That's what's confusing to us.

I have a KIA Sorento and used to have a 19' travel trailer. I never actually towed the trailer with the Sorento even though the empty weight was under 3500 lbs, but I did hook it up to the trailer once to move it around in the driveway. There is no way I would ever try to tow with the Sorento after that. The receiver was only inches off of the ground. It wouldn't have even made it out of the driveway without dragging.

We have a Kia Sedona. Same tow capacity, engine and, I believe, tranny. Our hybrid tows wonderfully. 5 speed tranny works great. We pass larger rigs on hills. Our trailer loaded and ready to camp weight is 3,500. I have looked hard at the Clipper 17 BH and have concerns, for us, about tongue weight being a single axle. We run air bag suspension support in rear but Sedona suspension is soft. Best of luck

What can our Kia Sorento tow? | Good Sam Community

MargaretB
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
That's what we were afraid of. A friend who has a Casita says she can tow it behind her mini-van, which sounds a little unlikely to me. I"m afraid we have a truck in our future.

Actually, by hard-side, I meant a hard-sided box, without the tented flip-out beds. A very small travel trailer.

Thanks!
Merrykalia
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
The problem with a hybrid is the height of it and the drag. A hard side, if I understand what you are talking about (A-liner type), might still be a little taller than you would want behind you.

You would probably be better off with a popup, but make sure it has it's own brakes because it will probably try to push you instead of stopping.

I'm normally not part of the weight police, but in my opinion, a Kia Sorento is not a big enough vehicle to be able to properly pull anything more than a popup.

As I said, that's MY OPINION. I'm sure others will chime in. Do your homework and do not take the word of a trailer salesman. They are just trying to clear their lot.

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What can our Kia Sorento tow?

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