Can I Tow This Camper Safely?

Your margin of safety is insuffient under the best of circumstances. Heed Donn's words.

What does the door sticker say for GVWR? You don't mention your family size, but since you're looking at a bunkhouse, I assume you have kids. This means even more cargo, bikes, etc.

Keep in mind that the trailer you're contemplating weighs as much as the Santa Fe. As others have mentioned, the sail effect of a hard side trailer is significant as well. Your Hyundai would probably pull a 5,000 pound boat very well, but a travel trailer is a different beast. If it was me, I'd be looking at something lighter, maybe without a slide, or a popup.

Remember that 406 pound hitch weight is for a dry trailer. You will never ever EVER tow a dry trailer. 12% of 4600 is..... that is what you need to look at.

To give you a little more info on the trailer I'm considering it has a listed hitch weight of 406lbs, UVW of 3370lbs, CCC of 1230lbs, 7.5" wide and is 22'1" feet long from bumper to hitch.

Thanks all for the great feedback.

I doubt towing capacity means anything its going to be about payload. not sure what it is for your vehicle but id guess around 1000 lbs. payload - all occupants - all gear - weight of hitch - tongue weight = positive number then yes. I highly doubt it does in your case.

Forget about that 5000 lb tow rating.

When a vehicle gets rated for towing, it is rated without cargo or passengers. As you add people, pets, and cargo, your available payload (max cargo / passenger weight) and max tow capacity are going down, pound for pound. You might find your true max tow rating is less than a loaded weight of that trailer. If not over, but close, that too can be an unpleasant ride.

Vehicles have more than just a max tow rating. There are also ratings on the hitch receiver, tires, axles, and cargo carrying (payload) capacity. Normally, you'll run out of payload, before you get close to that advertised tow weight.

There is a tire / loading sticker on your drivers door jamb. It will show you a max combined weight for passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight. The 80 - 100 lb weight distributing hitch also counts as cargo weight.

Check your door sticker and owners manual. There are many smaller vehicles that are limited on the square footage of frontal area on the trailer. There are some smaller vehicles with frames or bodies that are not recommend for use with a weight distributing hitch.

Loaded (dishes, lawn chairs, pots and pans, bedding, groceries, and water) for camping, adds 800 - 1000 lbs to the trailer's empty weight.

Average tongue weight is 12.5 percent of loaded trailer weight. Your loaded tongue weight would be about 550 lbs, plus 100 lbs for the WD hitch. If you and the wife have a combined weight of 350 lbs, your real world max tow weight is 4000 lbs. Less if put anything else in the car.

I don't think that trailer is a good match for your Hyundai.

camp-n-family wrote:
There's no reason it shouldn't tow it safely if it's within its ratings.

Sure there is - lack of wheelbase, which for this vehicle apparently varies between 106" to 110" - awfully short for towing a travel trailer, even a shorter one like this Apex the OP is interested in. Talk about the tail wagging the dog. :E

Sure, with very cautious loading the OP probably can remain within various weight limits but that's only part of the story - wind resistance alone will have this little Hyundai puffing it's heart out at highway speeds dragging a trailer with the same aerodynamics as a barn door. I wouldn't do it but hey, what do I know, I'm not an "expert" like all the "You'll be fine" pundits. :W

There's no reason it shouldn't tow it safely if it's within its ratings. Just know that the tow rating is decreased by weight added to the tow vehicle. Like Donno said, you may be limited if you plan on loading the vehicle with passengers.

Are there other vehicles that will do it better? Sure, but too many will say no without having enough info.

I couldnt imagine towing with such a small vehicle. I would say you could do it. Will you be staying close to home and staying off the freeway? If so its doable. Freeway driving? may be scary. To answer your question of will it be safe... no

Do you travel with just you in the vehicle? Remember to get an accurate tow rating you should load up like your going camping and hit the scales. Subtract acaled weight from the GVWR on the drivers door post. That is how much you have for hitch weight. Trailers hitch weight will be 12-15% of its loaded weight, NOT the dry weight.
Now to add more confusion to the mix, think about trying to tow a 4000 pound sail boat down the road with the sail out! Thats how towing a solid wall trailer will be.
Personally I think you will be far happier towing a tent trailer. But thats just me