2003-4 6 cyl Hyundai as a tow vechicle?

[Expidia]

I'm thinking of picking up an 03 or 04 Hyundai Sante Fe at a car auction and use it to tow another 2500 lb aluminum boat. That weight includes a 150 Merc 4 stroke. The 200 hp is about the same 510 lbs, so I figure whichever outboard I go with add another 300 lbs for gas and gear and it should be about 3000 lbs plus tow weight of the trailer weight.

In the mid size SUV category, the Hyundai has a much better reliability rating than the 6 cyl Ford Explorer in Consumer Reports.

It's only going to be used as a 3rd vehicle and I want to stay as small as possible for an SUV as a tow vehicle (don't want any pick up trucks).

So do you think this vehicle will safely tow 3000 lbs. I'll have brakes on whatever trailer I get?

Thx

 

[JB]

Re: 2003-4 6 cyl Hyundai as a tow vechicle?

The most relevant information is the rated towing capacity of the Hyundai as equipped. Your Hyundai dealer can tell you that and even sell you any upgrades (tow package) they recommend.

Only after the tow rating and towed weight have been established does any of the other info matter.

In my opinion the tow vehicle to tow 3,000lb needs to be rated at 5,000lb or more and the trailer needs good brakes.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: 2003-4 6 cyl Hyundai as a tow vechicle?

City MPG

1. 15 - 20 mpg (2)
2. 20 - 25 mpg (3)

Highway MPG

1. 20 - 25 mpg (2)
2. 25 - 30 mpg (2)

Safety

1. 4-wheel ABS (5)
2. Child Seat Anchors (5)
3. Side Airbags (5)
4. traction control (4)

SpecificationsMaximum Towing Capacity

1. 2,000 - 3,500 lbs (4)
2. up to 2,000 lbs (1)

Maximum Payload Capacity

1. 1,200 - 1,500 lbs (2)
2. 1,500 - 2,000 lbs (1)
3. up to 1,000 lbs (2)

 

[MikDee]

Re: 2003-4 6 cyl Hyundai as a tow vechicle?

I bought a New loaded Crystal blue 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe LX 2.7 V6 4WD 4 spd. Auto, back near the year end, Drove it for 3 1/2yrs and 87k trouble free miles, got 20-24mpg around town, 24-30 on the highway. It was the Best vehicle I ever owned! sorry I traded it in. (with the still good original tires!) It was semi-plush, nimble, smooth riding, good handling. and (just right) middle weight, 3700lbs although was very roomy, & compact, but looked bigger. Much nicer riding then a tinny Escape, and much cheaper then a compable Toyota Highlander, also. The factory stock rear axle ratio was 4:56 gearing. It was peppy, but no hot rod, I never towed anything with it, but towing was not it's strong feature. It was basically a good people, & luggage mover.

I don't know the model you're looking at, but in later yrs (right after this) they offered the bigger more powerful 3.5 V6 & 5spd tranny, in some models, definitely a stronger motor, but not quite as good on gas.

I traded for a New Nautical blue 2005 Hyundai Tucson LX 2.7 V6 Auto. 4WD a coupla yrs ago, with a few more features, because weliked the Santa Fe so much, and it rides a bit harder (more sporty), though not uncomfortable, we actually like the Tucson even more, and although the drivetrain is similar, we are not getting as good a milage, with 25mpg max? and it is a bit hard on tires, don't know why on these 2 issues? aside from that at 58k miles, it's been trouble free!

And I have started towing a boat this year with it, (been towing a big jet ski for a few yrs, no issues). The boat is a 19' Bayliner bowrider Ski boat with a 125hp Force motor, & a Venture trailer )about 2500lbs) It appears to tow the boat better then I thought, in fact better then my 96' GMC Sonoma 4.3 V6 Auto (Chevy S-10 clone), but braking is an issues on either vehicle. I'd say the Santa Fe should be able to tow the boat you have easily if it's the 3.5motor, not so easily with the 2.7 motor. But, you do have deeper gearing then the Tucson both with the 2.7 motor, but with taller tires, I would think if you had to, you could go to a lower profile 60 series tire, for some extra Grunt to tow! at the expense of slightly lower gas milage. By the way, here's a Pic of a boat I picked up ,& took 600miles from Pa, to NC, for my son, in the spring, that was even heavier then my boat, And my boat in tow, Good Luck, Mike

 

[MikDee]

Re: 2003-4 6 cyl Hyundai as a tow vechicle?

I think you be fine, & happy with the Santa Fe, between that and the Tucson, my wife, & I still volley for who's gonna drive all the time, just like the commercial,,,lol
By the way the Santa Fe has stock 225/70/16" tires, and the Tucson LX (with it's 4:19 final gearing) has stock 235/60/16" tires, a bit shorter, wider, and more aggressive, that are mounted on the same factory mags as the SF, and that size should fit the Santa Fe for tighter handling, & a bit more Grunt for towing.

 

[Expidia]

Re: 2003-4 6 cyl Hyundai as a tow vechicle?

Thanks for all those comments everybody. I might have to drop back a year to lower the price and look for a Hyundai with about 75,000 miles because looking at their various models I know I need the 6 cyl by Lester's reference to the car spec site (thx) to tow up to 3500 lbs. I was getting a 6 cyl anyway but now I see I think I'll need all wheel drive too for those times on slippery ramps.

It only for towing but in the winter I'll probably use it during the snow times. I only live 6 miles from my office so summer or winter it's not going to see that many miles anyway.

I thought they were 4 wheel drive like a Jeep (guess not). I'd get a Jeep type SUV but they are historically poor on reliability as per consumer reports.

So I figured the Hyundai was a better deal, since I plan to use it up through 200k over years.

And thx to Mikdee for that concise reply. It was just what I wanted to hear on the Hyundai's build quality and tow ability

 

[MikDee]

Re: 2003-4 6 cyl Hyundai as a tow vechicle?

Just thought of another item, the Santa Fe up until this year (the new style) Used a Steurer Puch (I believe an Audi design), Automatic 4WD system, and it is great in the snow! The Tucson has a Borg Warner (GM design) AWD system, that is ok, but I think the reason for the poorer gas milage too (it figures) but it does have Electronic stability control, & 4WD lock. By the way,

Here's a link to all you ever wanted to know about the Santa Fe, I used to live there:
"http://p211.ezboard.com/bhyundaisantafemessageboard"