I am the original poster. The Pop-up is a 1989 Jayco 1206. I pulled the manual from Cunningham trailers and it specified the weight. If this vehicle will not tow it, then I am going to be quite upset because the dealer insisted it could no problem. If it doesn't then Kia motors is going to hear from me.
Francesca Knowles wrote: My tow vehicle's a '97 Kia Sportage- welcome to the club!
Check with your Kia dealer re. weight-distribution hitch- if the Sorento is unibody construction a W/D hitch may do more harm than good. That type of construction isn't designed to absorb the forces involved...there may even be issues with warranty voiding if such a system is installed on your vehicle.
That having been said...
My Sportage has been towing a 2,000 lb "standy-uppy" trailer with only a regular ball hitch for years, no special devices and no problems.
Francesca Knowles wrote: My tow vehicle's a '97 Kia Sportage- welcome to the club!
Check with your Kia dealer re. weight-distribution hitch- if the Sorento is unibody construction a W/D hitch may do more harm than good. That type of construction isn't designed to absorb the forces involved...there may even be issues with warranty voiding if such a system is installed on your vehicle.
That having been said...
My Sportage has been towing a 2,000 lb "standy-uppy" trailer with only a regular ball hitch for years, no special devices and no problems.
You have a Sportage. What size engine 4 or 6 cyl?
My Sportage is a 4-cylinder, and mfr. rated to tow 2,000 pounds so long as the trailer has brakes- 1,000 pounds if no brakes.
Glad to hear your Jayco is a 1989- as you said, the curb weight is in fact 1600 pounds- but that's without anything added to it. Gross weight (with cargo) is about 2400...
Good news is that electric brakes came standard on that model. (Most small-tow trouble has to do with difficulty STOPPING, not going!)
Since that dry weight number is so close to your limit, you're definitely on the ragged edge of underequipped. It looks like you can tow the trailer as long as you put in a brake controller, but don't put much if any cargo in it.
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies toJ.R.R. Tolkien
Francesca Knowles wrote: My tow vehicle's a '97 Kia Sportage- welcome to the club!
Check with your Kia dealer re. weight-distribution hitch- if the Sorento is unibody construction a W/D hitch may do more harm than good. That type of construction isn't designed to absorb the forces involved...there may even be issues with warranty voiding if such a system is installed on your vehicle.
That having been said...
My Sportage has been towing a 2,000 lb "standy-uppy" trailer with only a regular ball hitch for years, no special devices and no problems.
You have a Sportage. What size engine 4 or 6 cyl?
My Sportage is a 4-cylinder, and mfr. rated to tow 2,000 pounds so long as the trailer has brakes- 1,000 pounds if no brakes.
Glad to hear your Jayco is a 1989- as you said, the curb weight is in fact 1600 pounds- but that's without anything added to it. Gross weight (with cargo) is about 2400...
Good news is that electric brakes came standard on that model. (Most small-tow trouble has to do with difficulty STOPPING, not going!)
Since that dry weight number is so close to your limit, you're definitely on the ragged edge of underequipped. It looks like you can tow the trailer as long as you put in a brake controller, but don't put much if any cargo in it.
The trailer is equipped with surge breaks. I'm inclined to take the vehicle back to the dealer and insist on a better towing capacity vehicle. What a battle that's going to be.
Francesca Knowles wrote: My tow vehicle's a '97 Kia Sportage- welcome to the club!
Check with your Kia dealer re. weight-distribution hitch- if the Sorento is unibody construction a W/D hitch may do more harm than good. That type of construction isn't designed to absorb the forces involved...there may even be issues with warranty voiding if such a system is installed on your vehicle.
That having been said...
My Sportage has been towing a 2,000 lb "standy-uppy" trailer with only a regular ball hitch for years, no special devices and no problems.
You have a Sportage. What size engine 4 or 6 cyl?
My Sportage is a 4-cylinder, and mfr. rated to tow 2,000 pounds so long as the trailer has brakes- 1,000 pounds if no brakes.
Glad to hear your Jayco is a 1989- as you said, the curb weight is in fact 1600 pounds- but that's without anything added to it. Gross weight (with cargo) is about 2400...
Good news is that electric brakes came standard on that model. (Most small-tow trouble has to do with difficulty STOPPING, not going!)
Since that dry weight number is so close to your limit, you're definitely on the ragged edge of underequipped. It looks like you can tow the trailer as long as you put in a brake controller, but don't put much if any cargo in it.
The trailer is equipped with surge breaks. I'm inclined to take the vehicle back to the dealer and insist on a better towing capacity vehicle. What a battle that's going to be.
Thanks for all your info. You seem to be very knowledgeable. Is your stand-uppy 2,000lbs curb weight? Since that is the tow limit on your vehicle, aren't you on the edge also? Just trying to figure this out. Is a break controller easy to install since the breaks are built in to the trailer. Thanks for you help.
Thanks for all your info. You seem to be very knowledgeable. Is your stand-uppy 2,000lbs curb weight? Since that is the tow limit on your vehicle, aren't you on the edge also? Just trying to figure this out. Is a break controller easy to install since the breaks are built in to the trailer. Thanks for you help.
My trailer's curb weight is 1400 pounds- 2,000 is with add-ons and cargo.
Here's a pic:
Per brakes:
I've got regular electric brakes, so there's a controller in the car.
I'd missed your description of your brakes as surge-type- as you said, they do automatically engage in response to the tow vwhicle's braking, so you don't need an in-vehicle controller.
I personally prefer electric over surge for two reasons:
1) Surge type brakes will lock up if backing up much of an incline, although I understand that there is a device that you can install to prevent that.
2) Probably more important to me: The in-car controller for electric brakes has a manual knob that allows one to apply the trailer brakes independently of the tow vehicle's. This is an important tool for managing "sway" should it occur or threaten- application without stepping on the vehicle brakes will stop the oscillation at once.
I've driven this combination so much that I've learned to avoid/anticipate most "sway", but that manual braking knob has saved my bacon more than once and I wouldn't be without it!
But I've got a taller trailer and a short-wheelbase vehicle- your popup is lower. I'd think there'd be less sway potential...of course, you're still right at the edge of too heavy.
The thing is, if the dealer's installing the tow package and you've told him about this trailer... could be a sort of nod of approval. Tow ratings are so all over the map- for all we know, that Sorento might be towing 5,000 pounds in Australia!
I'm kidding, of course, but you get the drift.
I think you have started to realize your trailer weight will exceed your tow vehicle's rated capacity. You mention the dealer said it would work. Which dealer, the rv dealer or the KIA dealer? Maybe they would consider an exchange or trade, if the deal is fresh. As for the brakes, you will not be able to simply install a brake controller and be able to actuate the surge brakes.
My first RV was a popup that I towed with an xtra cab Toyota Tacoma 4 cylinder. Most of the time it did okay, but I do remember one time coming home over the Siskiyou summit and wondering if I would make it over. Had to downshift to 2nd gear and then creep at 35 mph. I do not think the truck would have liked that for many more trips. Ended up moving to a full sized truck, and began the perpetual cycle of; bigger truck-bigger RV.
You can make your setup work, just load very light, and expect to slow down over the steeper grades. Slow down at the crest of a summit, downshift and let the engine and transmission help you down. Don't push it and you'll be fine.
06 Ford F-350 PSD CC FX4
05 Fleetwood Pioneer ASV 260FS
I am the original OP; here was my solution. Surprisingly the Kia dealership took the Sorento back and sold me a V6 AWD, for just a little more. Still gave me the same discounts, rebates and incentives along with low APR. I was surprised at how accommodating they were. Of course it could be due to the fact that my partner and I went in and bought two new cars on the same day. The V6 AWD is rated at 3500 tow capacity, and I know the AWD is a big plus. So in your expert opinions is all well now with towing my older 89 Jayco 1206 1600lb pop-up? I think things are good.
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