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Looking at pulling a bigger camper
- Thread author Heather
- Start date
Martin Kodiak
Working Man
Seems easily doable, I would recommend a Load balancing hitch with sway control if you are not already using it. I tow at limit and have no issues with my setup.
Sportshot2
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You should check with KIA regarding how much weight reduction there is based upon the frontal area of the trailer. There are formulas which decrease the maximum allowable of weight based on frontal area. In short the higher and wider the trailer is might reduce your maximum amount of allowable towed weight.
The picture also showed a more aerodynamic shape which is better than a more square and taller trailer.
The picture also showed a more aerodynamic shape which is better than a more square and taller trailer.
Martin Kodiak
Working Man
Has anyone had Kia engage with them on towing yet? My Stealership seems nose blind to the entire discussion. They just point to the stated facts of 500lb tongue weight and 5,000 limit
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NDBlackEX
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That's pushing it. If you tow short distances, (30-60 miles like every few weeks), you should be ok. I wouldn't tow that thing 200 miles every weekend or long distances with a crossover. Your pop up is right in the neighborhood of what I'd be comfortable with towing regularly.
My camper weighs about 45% of tow capacity for my pickup and that's about the top of my comfort zone for towing long distances or towing regularly.
Towing at the upper limits of your tow rating is fine if you say, have a big boat that you launch in the spring and pull out in the fall or tow to and from a seasonal campsite.
But, I see people pulling more trailer than they should all the time out camping. It's up to the individual and their comfort level.
Kia just refers me to the book, which does NOT say the best Mode for towing, nor give the instructions on how to line up the tow hitch with self adjusting shocks. A lot of people have been helpful, but "guessing" is not as good as getting the info direct from the manufacturer - so as not to be stuck in a "catch 22" if anything goes wrong.
My unit is about the size and weight of the one you are thinking of. I have the weight distribution hitch and sway bars - I consider those mandatory for safetyThe Telly pulls it like a dream, but I do not want to go on long trips until I hear from Kia what the recommended Mode is for towing, and property way to line up the vehicle with the trailer with self adjusting shocks. Oh...and if that trailer has Castle Rock tires? Insist on something better, like Goodyear Endurance. The Castle Rocks have one heck of a reputation for failures - that cause all kinds of damage and unsafe events. I had new tires put on the first week (travel trailer pulls a lot better, too) and sold my new Castle Rock tires to a landscaper who wouldn't be doing long high speed trips, so the Goodyear's ended up costing me $125 for 3, mounted. Worth every cent.
Also, be incredibly aware of weight - read up on the combined weigh limit of your Telly and trailer, and try not to go over 80% of weight limits. Find a truck stop and have the Telly, the trailer, and each tire weighed separately, then make sure you are in compliance with all of the individual, and total weight limits. Avoid traveling with your tanks full - but keep several gallons in the black tank to prevent "sticking".
If you or anyone gets official word from Kia on the correct Mode to use for towing, and the correct way to set up the Telly and trailer with the self leveling shocks, please post! They just refer me to the manual, telling me to put it in "Drive". Duh.
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