|
|
01-15-2013, 01:33 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 15
|
Towing with '06 Kia Sedona Minivan
We have a 19' Prowler with a dry weight of 3100lbs. We're going to add AC ~100lbs and with luggage ~200lbs, we're at ~$3400 pounds. Limit posted for my class three hitch is 3500. I know it's close and I FULLY ACCEPT any risks by towing close to the posted limit of my vehicle. We're still covered under powertrain and plan on offing the van for a truck in a couple years.
I still don't want to blow it up. She has plenty of power to pull the trailer up hills @ 7000+ feet, so that's not a concern. I know the main concern is the transmission. So I'm going through the process of prepping the van to tow as well as it can.
What I've done:
Wired 7 pole trailer connector
Brake controller in place (electric brakes on trailer work GREAT)
Weight distribution hitch
What I'm planning on donig very soon:
Drain and replace transmission fluid
Tranmission cooler
Basic tune up (plugs, MAF, air filter, oil change)
I still need to play with the weight distribution hitch as I have it at the highest setting and the trailer is level but the fan is still squatting a little in the back. I was planning on lowering the hitch a notch or two to see if I can get the van and trailer even. Sound right?
Also, if it is still squatting, are there any suggestions? I've seen ads on here for air bags. And they are pretty cheap too.
I'm not too concerned about brakes. The trailer brakes work great and I use very little of the van's braking system. I DON'T ENGINE BRAKE WHILE TOWING.
So with all this said, any suggestions on either what I have already done, am planning on, or anything else I can do? I know the best answer is, "Buy a truck", but I don't have the resources fo rthat now.
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
01-15-2013, 01:54 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
|
Near as I can tell, you have 350 Pound Tongue Weight limit, 3500 Pound Towing limit. Both are important. Easy to exceed. Have seen things on this forum about being at total gross wt and issues with it.
I will leave it to those that know.
Happy trails.
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 03:36 PM
|
#4
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 15
|
Thanks CampDaven - that's some good info. The 07 is the same as the 06 as the 06 model came later than normal (introduced the same time as the '07 Hyundai Entourage). I'm keeping the tounge weight down as much as I can (I believe it says on there 600) and I will definately stay below the 8000 GCWR.
Trans cooler and fluid will come at the beginning of the month.
Then the fun install jobs come!
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 05:46 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,897
|
How to properly setup a W/D hitch. Might be helpful. As long as you stay within your towing ratings as stated in your owners manual your rig will be OK. Good Luck! Enjoy your adventures!
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 06:12 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
|
I'm thinkin you'll reach max on the trailer, so putting what you can in the van may be a good thing. I've heard that trailers usually leave the lot above their dry weight.
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 07:01 PM
|
#7
|
Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
|
While you may get by with this for a short time, I certainly would be looking for a larger tow vehicle.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
|
|
|
01-15-2013, 08:31 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DFW, Tex-US
Posts: 6,196
|
Agree with TXIceman...
you are putting a lot into the van....
None of which will help your resale, in fact it will probably kill your resale...
why not look into trading now ?
I can tell you a minivan does NOT like towing - I ruined one years ago in one trip,
tranny did not like the extra load...
given interest rates at an all time low, with your trade in, you might be surprised what you can do...
good luck... won't hurt to look into and you'll never know until you ask !
If it is not to be, then continue on with your mods to the minivan
__________________
'11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT RR10R pushed by a '14 Jeep Wrangler JKU. History.. 5'ers: 13 Redwood 38gk(junk!), 11 MVP Destiny, Open Range TT, Winn LeSharo, C's, popups, vans, tents...
|
|
|
01-16-2013, 08:48 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
|
Just a thought.
You will be surprised how fast the weight goes up as you load even just the essentials. Pots, pans, plates, utensils, lawn chairs, hoses, electric cords, on and on
|
|
|
01-16-2013, 10:01 AM
|
#10
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 15
|
We're not in the position to buy another vehicle right now. Looking 1.5-2 years down the road for that.
Ray, thanks for the info on the W/D hitch. I'll take that in when I look to tweek my setup.
So, as asked in OP, any other ideas aside from tune-up/transission cooler/fluid other than buying a bigger tow vehicle?
|
|
|
01-16-2013, 10:19 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,138
|
My biggest concern would be getting stopped in an emergency situation such as when when Joe Stupid pulls out in front of you, etc.
I'd stay at 55 with lots of space in front of you.
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
|
|
|
01-16-2013, 10:39 AM
|
#12
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 15
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland
My biggest concern would be getting stopped in an emergency situation such as when when Joe Stupid pulls out in front of you, etc.
I'd stay at 55 with lots of space in front of you.
|
Believe me, I do stay at nice low speeds and give plenty of room in front. not in a hurry.
I will say though those trailer brakes stop me supprisingly quickly and smoothly.
|
|
|
01-20-2013, 07:38 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Swoope, VA
Posts: 362
|
Why do you state in all caps that you don't engine brake when towing? I assume you mean you don't downshift to a lower gear to help control speed. Why not? It's a very effective means of using the engine's compression to help brake the vehicle. Especially when descending a steep grade. I don't know how many times I've followed vehicles down a mountain where they're brake lights are on the whole time. You can smell the hot brake smell from 100 feet back. I downshift a few gears and barely touch the brakes on the way down. My truck is at 161,000 miles and still on the original brake pads. The dealer just looked it over and said they were fine.
__________________
2022 Jayco Eagle 284BHOK, 2022 GMC CC Dually D/A, 2009 2500 Suburban, 2004 Rinker Captiva 232 boat
|
|
|
01-20-2013, 10:00 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 578
|
You need to go ahead and plan your funeral. Sounds like suicide.
__________________
Wandering1
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|