Newbie check-in and ? on what I can reasonably tow with my car

[1911guy]

Hi guys, I am very pleased to have found you.

I have been a fan of pop-ups for some time.  I am 36, when I was 15-18 my parents had a Jayco pop-up (unfortunately I don't remember the model).  Their tow vehicle was a 1986 Crown Vic station wagon which with no specific tow equipment was rated for 2K LBS and pulled that pop-up with no problems (it weighed near 1500 if I remember, and we had 4 people in the family).  Of course it had a large V8 and could be rated for up to 5K LBS with proper equipment.  Anyway, I absolutely loved that pop-up and was very disappointed when my parents decided to sell it.

Ever since I've wanted to get my own pop-up and planned to do so as soon as I could afford it.  Well, I got a great new job and in about 6 months my debt will be such that I think I will be rewarding myself with my first pop-up of my own.

However, I don't want to upgrade my vehicle if I can help it (especially with gas prices well over $3/gal around here).  I drive a 2004 4cyl Hyundai Sonata.  Hyundai rates this car to tow 2K with either the 4cyl or the V6.  I weigh near 300LBS, I am single but would probably often go with a friend of mine or my brother (figure a 200-250LBS passenger), and most trips would be to relatively flat areas (though I may occasionally go to W. PA or W. MD where the "mountains" are closer to large hills).  I figure up to around 1200 LBS should be doable.  Does that sound about right?  Is there any pop-up that should safely work with this car or do I really need to be looking at teardrop campers?  If I can safely tow a pop-up which models would you recommend with this vehicle?

Thanks all in advance and thanks for having this resource online.

[howlinowl]

Hi guys, I am very pleased to have found you.

I have been a fan of pop-ups for some time.  I am 36, when I was 15-18 my parents had a Jayco pop-up (unfortunately I don't remember the model).  Their tow vehicle was a 1986 Crown Vic station wagon which with no specific tow equipment was rated for 2K LBS and pulled that pop-up with no problems (it weighed near 1500 if I remember, and we had 4 people in the family).  Of course it had a large V8 and could be rated for up to 5K LBS with proper equipment.  Anyway, I absolutely loved that pop-up and was very disappointed when my parents decided to sell it.

Ever since I've wanted to get my own pop-up and planned to do so as soon as I could afford it.  Well, I got a great new job and in about 6 months my debt will be such that I think I will be rewarding myself with my first pop-up of my own.

However, I don't want to upgrade my vehicle if I can help it (especially with gas prices well over $3/gal around here).  I drive a 2004 4cyl Hyundai Sonata.  Hyundai rates this car to tow 2K with either the 4cyl or the V6.  I weigh near 300LBS, I am single but would probably often go with a friend of mine or my brother (figure a 200-250LBS passenger), and most trips would be to relatively flat areas (though I may occasionally go to W. PA or W. MD where the "mountains" are closer to large hills).  I figure up to around 1200 LBS should be doable.  Does that sound about right?  Is there any pop-up that should safely work with this car or do I really need to be looking at teardrop campers?  If I can safely tow a pop-up which models would you recommend with this vehicle?

Thanks all in advance and thanks for having this resource online.

Sorry, not real sure about the towing capabilities of your car.  But I had to reply when I saw your user name.  I imagine you are a fan of Colt 1911 45 caliber semi-autos.  Nice guns.  Too pricey for me, though. Got a 9MM Ruger P98, Colt polished King Cobra 8 inch .357 and a 22 cal. Ruger Mark II.
Allan

[GrizzlyTaco]

Hi guys, I am very pleased to have found you.

I have been a fan of pop-ups for some time.  I am 36, when I was 15-18 my parents had a Jayco pop-up (unfortunately I don't remember the model).  Their tow vehicle was a 1986 Crown Vic station wagon which with no specific tow equipment was rated for 2K LBS and pulled that pop-up with no problems (it weighed near 1500 if I remember, and we had 4 people in the family).  Of course it had a large V8 and could be rated for up to 5K LBS with proper equipment.  Anyway, I absolutely loved that pop-up and was very disappointed when my parents decided to sell it.

Ever since I've wanted to get my own pop-up and planned to do so as soon as I could afford it.  Well, I got a great new job and in about 6 months my debt will be such that I think I will be rewarding myself with my first pop-up of my own.

However, I don't want to upgrade my vehicle if I can help it (especially with gas prices well over $3/gal around here).  I drive a 2004 4cyl Hyundai Sonata.  Hyundai rates this car to tow 2K with either the 4cyl or the V6.  I weigh near 300LBS, I am single but would probably often go with a friend of mine or my brother (figure a 200-250LBS passenger), and most trips would be to relatively flat areas (though I may occasionally go to W. PA or W. MD where the "mountains" are closer to large hills).  I figure up to around 1200 LBS should be doable.  Does that sound about right?  Is there any pop-up that should safely work with this car or do I really need to be looking at teardrop campers?  If I can safely tow a pop-up which models would you recommend with this vehicle?

Thanks all in advance and thanks for having this resource online.

My wife has a 2005 Hyundai Sonata 4 cyilinder and the max towing is 1500#,  i wouldn't tow anything over a 1000#, because you have to add in the weight of the passengers and all the gear and that will put you close if not over the max. tow limit........... I have a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe with a 2.7 ltr. and I tow a 2006 Jayco 1207 model and it weighs 2100# with all my gear. The Santa Fe pulls it with no problem........Ed C.

[1911guy]

Sorry, not real sure about the towing capabilities of your car.

According to the owners manual it can tow 2K.  Still, I know that the max is for more than just the trailer.  On any hypothetical vehicle rated for 2K about how heavy would you go on the trailer and which models would you suggest?  I'm thinking about 1200 LBS, but I'm not quite sure what is out there in that range.

But I had to reply when I saw your user name. I imagine you are a fan of Colt 1911 45 caliber semi-autos.

I love the 1911 design.  Colt is a good maker of the 1911, but I prefer some of the clones.  I have a Charles Daly (about the price of your Ruger) and hope to get either a Springfield Armory Loaded or a Kimber Pro Carry version of the 1911 soon.

My wife has a 2005 Hyundai Sonata 4 cyilinder and the max towing is 1500#,

Are you sure on that max?  My owners manual states 2K for the car. At first I was thinking it was probably a mistake and the max was closer to 1500 like you state, but then I was thinking about it and realized that other factors (like suspension and braking) may be the limiting factors for towing weight on this car and not power in which case it makes sense that the V6 and 4cyl would have the same rating.  Either way, do you have any 1200LBS and/or 1000LBS suggestions?  (Please, most of the popups I see around here are over 1500 and with passenger(s), luggage, and possible transport home after a rain that would go well over 2K).

I have a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe with a 2.7 ltr...

How do you like your Santa Fe?  When I bought my Sonata what I really wanted was a Santa Fe but I couldn't quite afford it.  If I do decide to replace my car I'll probably go with either a Santa Fe or a Ford Escape (unfortunately it seems to go over 2K max you need a minivan, which as a single guy I don't want, a pick-up, which I'd like but sometimes I need more passenger space and only the big ones with really low MPG have good passenger space, or an SUV, which except for the small ones get bad MPG and I have a 90mile round trip commute to/from work).

[1911guy]

Ok, lets change my question a little.

I can find the weights on new popups on the websites and in the brochures.  However, is there a source for weights of used popups that aren't current models?

[OC Campers]

We went camping this past week and met up with some friends.  I couldn't believe it when he showed up pulling his Fleetwood Taos (8 ft box) with a new Honda Accord V6 hybrid.  He pulled the camper up a huge grade and said he had no problems.  Now I know this vehicle is different from your Hyundai but it game me faith that you didn't need a huge vehicle to pull a popup.
I believe this small popup wieghs in at about 1,000 lbs.

Jacqui

[GrizzlyTaco]

Are you sure on that max?  My owners manual states 2K for the car. At first I was thinking it was probably a mistake and the max was closer to 1500 like you state, but then I was thinking about it and realized that other factors (like suspension and braking) may be the limiting factors for towing weight on this car and not power in which case it makes sense that the V6 and 4cyl would have the same rating.  Either way, do you have any 1200LBS and/or 1000LBS suggestions?  (Please, most of the popups I see around here are over 1500 and with passenger(s), luggage, and possible transport home after a rain that would go well over 2K).

I couldn't find the owners manual, so i called the Hyundai dealer and thats what they told me, 1500# max.



How do you like your Santa Fe?  When I bought my Sonata what I really wanted was a Santa Fe but I couldn't quite afford it.  If I do decide to replace my car I'll probably go with either a Santa Fe or a Ford Escape (unfortunately it seems to go over 2K max you need a minivan, which as a single guy I don't want, a pick-up, which I'd like but sometimes I need more passenger space and only the big ones with really low MPG have good passenger space, or an SUV, which except for the small ones get bad MPG and I have a 90mile round trip commute to/from work).[/QUOTE]



I love my Santa Fe, it pulls my PU with no problems. When on staight flat roads i was going 70 - 75 mph, up hill 45 - 55mph. I get around 24- 25 mpg, when towing, which isn't bad......

[rb_beachcpl]

After reading some of these posts, we are feeling pretty good about towing our 8 foot Fleetwood Taos with our 2004 Endeavor. We were worried that we needed a 4 wheeled drive, V8 monster to tow it, but it doesn't sound like it. We just had our trailer hitch installed yesterday. Our first trip is next month at a beach campsite...we are excited!