How much does it weigh?

[New2Vintage]

Another rookie question, I know! How or where do I find how much this trailer of mine weighs so I know whether or not my Hyundai Santa Fe can pull it with voiding drive train warranty?

[77 Spartan]

I would probably go to a weigh station to get the correct weight. I know some truck stops have them and so does DMV......good luck

[Automobilist]

Take it to a certified public scale. They are all over the place; feed lots, garden supply stores, truck stops, moving companies. Just google public scales in your area and you'll find plenty.

[New2Vintage]

Thanks. Of course I would have to tow it to the scale. Hahaha. Guess I could find someone with a heavy duty truck or something to help me out til I'm sure.

[Kurmudgeon]

If your Santa Fe has the factory tow package, I believe it's rated to tow 3500 pounds. If the trailer you're talking about is the 10' Kit in your profile, it should tow it easily. It's not going to be anywhere near that weight. Closer to half that much. But don't base your decision on what I say. You should still have it weighed and confirm your tow rating.

JP

[New2Vintage]

Thanks JP. I did confirm that my Santa Fe is able to tow 3500. And the trailer is indeed the 10' Kit. I thought it couldn't possibly be over the 3500 mark but since I don't have any documents for it I couldn't be sure of anything. I do plan to have it weighed to verify just in case. This is all 100% new to me. I just jumped into this and literally put the cart before the horse! Bought the trailer and I don't even have a hitch on my vehicle. Had a friend tow it home for me. Hahaha. It was one of those deals I couldn't resist (even though I'm sure it will be somewhat of a money pit if I restore it the way I'd like to someday).

[greggholmes]

I have a 17.5 foot bayliner i tow with my santa fe and it weighs 2500 or so, i would guess your trailer weighs in the range of 1500 or so.

[Francesca]

I don't know about your state, but in some the DMV can give you the weight based on the VIN# of the trailer....
Also, if you can locate the manufacturer's tag on the trailer, it may have the curb and gross weights stamped on it.

[New2Vintage]

More thank yous! And I'm glad to hear from someone who actually tows with a Santa Fe. I was a little leery about it. I feel better now. (I've never towed anything before, not even a moving trailer, this ought to be interesting)

[Francesca]

Hi, Maggie

Exciting, isn't it?
When I "moved up" from tentcamping to my tiny trailer I'd never towed much of anything, either- it's been fun learning the ins and outs.
Please keep us posted on what you find out about the weight- I'm a member of a fiberglass R.V. forum, and it's practically holy writ over there that fiberglass trailers are the lightest thing on the road. It's been interesting to find that there are lots of other trailers out there in the under-2,000 lb bracket!
By the way, I don't know about your neck of the woods, but every dump/landfill/transfer station out here has a scale. You weigh going in and again going out- that's how they know what to charge you, so believe you me, they're accurate! I just went through twice, once with just the car, and once hitched up.
Doing the math when I got home was the hardest part

Francesca

[greggholmes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by New2Vintage More thank yous! And I'm glad to hear from someone who actually tows with a Santa Fe. I was a little leery about it. I feel better now. (I've never towed anything before, not even a moving trailer, this ought to be interesting)

I towed it from ventura califonia to north of seattle wa. No problems at all.

Towing is easy backing up is the hard part.
but thats another post

[decodancer]

At least you were more careful than I was. I believed the former owners who insisted that my TT weighed 2550#. Pulled it home (2 hours) with my Kia Sedona mini van rated for 3500 pounds. When I did get it weighed, it topped out at 3620# unloaded no less. Now I'm buying a new tow vehicle. I have taken a few short (under 100 miles) trips on flat terrain with the Kia. It pulls the trailer with no problem but don't want to ruin the tranny.

[ronspradley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggholmes I towed it from ventura califonia to north of seattle wa. No problems at all. Towing is easy backing up is the hard part. but thats another post

backing a travel trailer is not really hard. use your mirrors. put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. the shorter the trailer tongue, the quicker the reaction of the trailer to steering inputs.

have fun..........ronspradley

[greggholmes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronspradley backing a travel trailer is not really hard. use your mirrors. put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. the shorter the trailer tongue, the quicker the reaction of the trailer to steering inputs. have fun..........ronspradley