BrianF
Active member
I haven’t run the 12V power line yet. I am thinking of running it underneath up to the battery and using a manual battery shut-off so it’s only energized when I need it.
-
Hint: Use a descriptive title for your new message
If you're looking for help and want to draw people in who can assist you, use a descriptive subject title when posting your message. In other words, "I need help with my SUV" could be about anything and can easily be overlooked by people who can help. However, "I need help with my transmission" will draw interest from people who can help with a transmission specific issue. Be as descriptive as you can. Please also post in the appropriate forum. The "Lounge" is for introducing yourself. If you need help with your leather interior, please post in the Interior section - and so on... This message can be closed by clicking the X in the top right corner. -
Successfully towing my 3822lb Camper this weekend
- Thread author mattnh55
- Start date
Thanks. I ended up taking off the fiber under cover and running directly to the battery following the brake lines most of the way. Then I reinstalled the cover. I didn’t add the manual shut-off yet as I figured I would simply unplug the trailer once I’m parked. That way I won’t have any drain on the car.
I forgot to mention that I did a 40 amp fuse in line. (From etrailer)
______________________________
Bjakub82
New member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2019
- Messages
- 29
- Reaction score
- 23
- Points
- 3
You mentioned you had the dealer install your hitch. Is it fair to assume you have the Kia factory hitch? The hitch from what we all can tell is rated for 351 lbs tongue weight. I'm assuming based on the weight of your trailer you are closer to 450 lbs? Any issues towing the trailer that size with the higher TW? Do you have a weight distribution hitch with your set up? My wife and I are looking at getting a travel trailer so any info you can share would be great.
Thanks.
I successfully towed my teardrop trailer for over 5,000 miles this summer and had no trouble whatsoever. My wife was a bit concerned since I did all the installation of the 7-pin connector and electrical work myself, but it worked great. 
I am thinking of adding a solenoid that will deactivate the power line when the car is off, so that the trailer battery won't be in line with the car battery when the car is off. E-trailer sells them..they go inline with the battery and have a connector that goes to the fuse box; such that you attach it to a fuse that is only active when the car is on. Right now, I simply unplug the trailer cable whenever I am parked and the car is off.
Hope all is working out for you all and you are enjoying your Telluride as much as I am...I love it.
I am thinking of adding a solenoid that will deactivate the power line when the car is off, so that the trailer battery won't be in line with the car battery when the car is off. E-trailer sells them..they go inline with the battery and have a connector that goes to the fuse box; such that you attach it to a fuse that is only active when the car is on. Right now, I simply unplug the trailer cable whenever I am parked and the car is off. Hope all is working out for you all and you are enjoying your Telluride as much as I am...I love it.
What brake contoller did you install?
Hi nice rig can you tell me the tongue weight of the camper , and did you have any problems with the weight distribution hitch?
______________________________
I see you have a weight distribution hitch set up. I was told by my RV dealer that they couldn’t add one to my Telluride because it has a “unibody frame”. Curious if anyone else had heard that, or if I’m being lied to.
RV is about 3,500 lbs.
alexdrums
Telluride—Proving u can’t always get what you want
I’m not an engineer, but that sounds bogus! Maybe he was trying to sell you on the self-leveling suspension?
Did you have a weight distribution hitch added? I was told by my RV dealer that the telluride couldn’t safely take one because it has a “unibody frame”.
When we bought the Telluride, we told the dealer we were to tow a camper with weight distribution hitch and he said no problem.
Before that when we bought the camper and weight distribution hitch, we told the dealer we were to put those on a SUV (Pilot, Ascent or Telluride, it was not decided at that moment) and he said no problem.
Of course, they all want to sell their stuff, so I don't know if it's a problem.
What could all those SUVs tow if it is not possible to put weight distribution bars on those?
______________________________
We tow a similar camper behind our EX AWD (3,500 # dry, 4,900 GVWR 400 # tongue) with a weight distribution hitch, anti-sway, and wireless brake controller (Echo). The aftermarket hitch installer had no issues with what we asked them to do and said the car should have no issues. Boy was he right!
The engine and gearbox have no problem getting everything moving, and the braking with the Echo feels like there's no trailer attached at all. We've made three trips so far, about three to four hours each way, and got about 12 mpg while averaging about 65 mph.
The only thing I don't really care for is the high rpms that come with leaving the shifter in automatic mode. Generally, the computer wanted to keep the trans in 5th gear revving around 3,500 rpm. I found that by going into manual I could usually bump between 6th and 7th gear and maintain speed on the flats while pushing some strong coastal TX winds. We had the A/C blasting the whole time and the engine temp gauge didn't change above normal even though it was 95 degrees outside for all three trips.
All in all, I couldn't be happier with how this rig performs. I plan to take the family to Colorado in the next couple weeks so I'll get a taste of how it handles with the trailer at altitude and on some real inclines. I have a feeling it will be no problem!
The engine and gearbox have no problem getting everything moving, and the braking with the Echo feels like there's no trailer attached at all. We've made three trips so far, about three to four hours each way, and got about 12 mpg while averaging about 65 mph.
The only thing I don't really care for is the high rpms that come with leaving the shifter in automatic mode. Generally, the computer wanted to keep the trans in 5th gear revving around 3,500 rpm. I found that by going into manual I could usually bump between 6th and 7th gear and maintain speed on the flats while pushing some strong coastal TX winds. We had the A/C blasting the whole time and the engine temp gauge didn't change above normal even though it was 95 degrees outside for all three trips.
All in all, I couldn't be happier with how this rig performs. I plan to take the family to Colorado in the next couple weeks so I'll get a taste of how it handles with the trailer at altitude and on some real inclines. I have a feeling it will be no problem!
Yes.
Bjakub82
New member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2019
- Messages
- 29
- Reaction score
- 23
- Points
- 3
I have a very similar set up. I have an S AWD pulling a single axle 3,700# dry camper with 425# TW. I did on our very first trip this season stop at a CAT scale to get weighted up and camper was 4,200# on the trailer axle. I also have the Echo brake controller and I love it. Found the same issue with it wanting to stay in 5th gear with RPMS around 3,300. I haven't tried putting it in manual yet but I might try that on my next trip. We have an Equalizer WD hitch and it works awesome. Very little bounce and 0 sway even on windy days.
MavenMom
New member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2020
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 3
- Points
- 3
We have a 2020 Telluride EX, and just got a camper to tow. We have only towed a utility trailer to the dump before this! Any help appreciated getting us set up to tow larger. If this post is annoying, please stop reading now. Otherwise, here are the specs.
It is a small 19' hybrid travel trailer, dry weight 3592, GW 4639 with a tongue weight (hitch weight?) of just 239 lbs. We rigged a converter from Autozone, for $15 to take it from 4 to 7 pin to get it home but had no brakes. Scary! It was very herky, jerky yanking and pushing. Home safe. We had the Kia hitch, and the dude who sold it to us threw in a hitch (rusty) and a major anti-sway bar system for free. Now we need the brake controller. Everyone keeps saying an Echo but what is that exactly, can someone share a link? If not the wireless, what are other options? We watched the youtube video where the guy mounted it inside and ran wires and that seems very complex for us. We have a family owned RV mechanic in our town who that does things like that if you bring them the parts you want. Does this setup look usable to you as described or what do I need to change? Recommendations?
Thanks in advance. 
It is a small 19' hybrid travel trailer, dry weight 3592, GW 4639 with a tongue weight (hitch weight?) of just 239 lbs. We rigged a converter from Autozone, for $15 to take it from 4 to 7 pin to get it home but had no brakes. Scary! It was very herky, jerky yanking and pushing. Home safe. We had the Kia hitch, and the dude who sold it to us threw in a hitch (rusty) and a major anti-sway bar system for free. Now we need the brake controller. Everyone keeps saying an Echo but what is that exactly, can someone share a link? If not the wireless, what are other options? We watched the youtube video where the guy mounted it inside and ran wires and that seems very complex for us. We have a family owned RV mechanic in our town who that does things like that if you bring them the parts you want. Does this setup look usable to you as described or what do I need to change? Recommendations?
Thanks in advance. Sportshot2
Active member
- Joined
- May 5, 2019
- Messages
- 187
- Reaction score
- 144
- Points
- 43
You need 10-15% tongue weight to be safe. The trailer should be level when coupled. You do this with the right drop or rise receiver hitch. Be careful! Incorrect tongue weight is a safety issue that must be corrected!
Did you add anything into the trailer? If so it must be moved as far forward as possible The manufacturer would not make a 3600# trailer to have 239# of tongue weight, that is not safe. Be careful when stocking the trailer, added weight in the wrong spot will drastically change the balance. Try to stay under 4000# loaded weight so the trailer axels and tires are not stressed to the maximum. Put stuff in the Telluride if necessary.
