Floatie feel in tow vehicle

[Movin up]

Towing rockwood a frame s122 with a hyundai santa fe. Tow rating is 3500, so should be adequate. We have all we can tow get weight as far back in trailer and as far front in santa fe as possible, but still get a "floatie" feeling. Thinking of getting a truck. Should we be looking at towing capacity of truck, or something to do with tongue weight capabilities. Can you get too big a tow vehicle for such a small trailer?

[Movin up]

Also, would a weight distribution hitch simply solve the problem?

[Papa GLS]

WDH would most definitely help.

[B and B]

In my setups with Pickups. Astro Van, Ford Club Wagon and a Mercury Grand Marquis too little tongue weight was always the culprit. Put on a WD hitch and load it up properly.

[bikendan]

any midsize v-6 trucks should easily tow an A-frame.
but if you think you might move up in size, at some future time, you might as well get a v-8 truck.

Reese does make a smaller WDH for popups and other smaller trailers. many larger popup owners swear by it.
but since your car is a unibody, some auto manufacturers, like Honda, discourage using a WDH. don't know about Hyundai.

[hazmat91180]

If I read this right you said weight is in the back of the trailer and front of the Santa Fe. I think that is opposite of what you want. Move some weight on the tounge and see if it performs better. You can never have too much TV.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by Movin up

Also, would a weight distribution hitch simply solve the problem?

A WDH would probably help, if the Santa Fe allows that. You would need to check the owners manual to check on that.

! of these might work: 100 lbs Weight Distribution | etrailer.com

[SuicideSaints]

I thought I remember seeing something about unibodies and WDH were advised against but I maybe wrong. Check the owners manual and if it allows it I think your situation will be cleared up or greatly improved by adding one.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Movin up

Towing rockwood a frame s122 with a hyundai santa fe. Tow rating is 3500, so should be adequate. We have all we can tow get weight as far back in trailer and as far front in santa fe as possible, but still get a "floatie" feeling. Thinking of getting a truck. Should we be looking at towing capacity of truck, or something to do with tongue weight capabilities. Can you get too big a tow vehicle for such a small trailer?

If you do trade up to a truck remember the RV Maxim: "You can never have too much truck!"

Are you loving RVing? Do you see having this as a life-long lifestyle? If your answer is Yes, then, at minimum, get a 3/4T Diesel because you WILL upgrade your RV.

A 1/2 Ton will easily pull your A Frame and can if properly equipped, pull a liteweight 5th wheel but you are getting close to maxing out the truck and no way will a 1/2 ton pull a toy hauler or large 5th wheel.

In fact, a lot of folks advise if you are going to get a 3/4 ton, just go ahead and get a 1 ton - the price difference is really minimal but the tow rating difference is substantial.

[DickiedooFlagman]

Originally Posted by Movin up

Towing rockwood a frame s122 with a hyundai santa fe. Tow rating is 3500, so should be adequate. We have all we can tow get weight as far back in trailer and as far front in santa fe as possible, but still get a "floatie" feeling. Thinking of getting a truck. Should we be looking at towing capacity of truck, or something to do with tongue weight capabilities. Can you get too big a tow vehicle for such a small trailer?

Some of the floating experience may be due to the softer sidewall passenger tires on the TV.

[rsdata]

if you are driving P rated tires on the tow vehicle, then try pumping up to 42# rear and 38# front and see if that helps... next tire buy if it is soon, look into LT rated tires which have thicker and stiffer sidewalls and will not give that soft feel...

[Happy Vibe]

Lt tires don't exist for a santa fe, we are talking mid sized SUV not a truck. I would go with the WDH or first try moving your weight around. it sounds like you tried to move the weight away from the hitch and this , too lite a tongue, can cause the trailer to bounce more than it should.

[jmencel]

We just returned from a 4,000 km trip down east including the "mountains" of Vermont. I am towing a 2008 Palomino Stampede S17 (3100 lbs with my gear and running empty tanks) with a 2014 V6 Dodge Grand Caravan. My TV weight limit is 3,600 lbs, similar to your Santa Fe. I installed a weight distributing hitch and inflated all tires on the trailer and TV to the max. The trailer and TV worked well together and we were comfortable the whole trip with max. speed of 100 km/hr (62 mph). We did not use 6th gear on the automatic, and once and a while manually downshifted going up steep hills if the transmission started to search. I agree with those who suggest a WDH, and with taking some weight from the "ends" and putting it closer to the hitch. If I take up too many links on my WDH chains it moves too much weight to the front of the TV.. and a "floaty" feeling results.

[pgandw]

I tow an a-frame (2014 Rockwood A122) with a 2008 Hyundai Entourage (their re-badged Kia minivan). 3.5L, 250 HP V-6 with 5 speed tranny, front wheel drive. Rated tow is 3500lbs, no other numbers available (Europe tow capacity is much greater).

When test driving at delivery, there was porpoising of both minivan and camper even at 20-30 MPH. I went back, dealer suggested an E2 Equalizer WDH/anti-sway. He installed for $320. Difference was night and day. Minivan was back to normal smooth ride. No sway or tow problems up to 75 MPH on interstate in crosswinds.

Have since towed from Colorado Springs to Lincoln, NE (540 miles each way) on I-80 in 30+ MPH crosswinds at 65, and through the Rockies to Montrose and Ridgway, CO (6 hours each way). I will never tow with a soft suspension vehicle without WDH/anti-sway again.

I learned what white-knuckle towing was with a 1993 Ford Explorer and 2000 Coleman 12ft box PUP - no WDH or anti-sway. That rig would sway at 62 MPH and up.

My actual tow weight with the A122 is 2720 lbs, add 150 lbs for full water tank - limited storage space helps with holding weight down, and we do pack light. We add 200 lbs of stuff to minivan (food and drink for weekend, clothes, EZ-up, 2 folding chairs, and entrance carpet).

Fred W
2014 Rockwood A122
2008 Hyundai Entourage (minivan)
Equalizer E2 600/6000 WDH/anti-sway - L brackets slightly closer than recommended due to space on camper a-frame.
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[Loraura]

I had that floaty feeling when I had too much weight on the rear without a WDH. The front wheels don't have enough weight on them to produce proper steering and control.

Get a WDH if your vehicle will allow it.
Get 12% of the trailer weight on the tongue, then set the WDH to properly throw enough weight forward to the front axel.

Or tie some anvils to the front bumper. (J/K)

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by Movin up

Towing rockwood a frame s122 with a hyundai santa fe. Tow rating is 3500, so should be adequate. We have all we can tow get weight as far back in trailer and as far front in santa fe as possible, but still get a "floatie" feeling. Thinking of getting a truck. Should we be looking at towing capacity of truck, or something to do with tongue weight capabilities. Can you get too big a tow vehicle for such a small trailer?

If I read this correctly, you are loading your stuff as far back in the trailer as possible; I assume to lessen the rear squat on the Sante Fe. This is the wrong approach. Your floatie feel could be because with this method your tongue weight ratio is too low (less than 10%). So, load the trailer so at least 10% is on the tongue, don't even load the Sante Fe oddly. Get a WDH with a sway system and problems over. WW

[RETCHIEF]

I towed a 3500 lb boat trailer with a 2.7L Santa Fe 4X4. As long as you have a trailer tail high and not exceed towable weight, you should be OK. The Santa Fe does not like a tail heavy trailer. WDH is good, but if you are under 3500, it should do well. Check tire pressures and lean toward max. This is just my humble experience, but experience none the less.

[johngoat2002]

Bouncy like that is normal with coil springs. I'm unfamiliar if the Santa Fe has coils or leafs under the back. Coils are used for a more luxury feel when driving unloaded.


2005 Flagstaff FS26
2006 GMC Sierra Denali 6.0L
HP Tuner

[WolfWhistle]

I guess the first thing to ask the OP was to describe the term "floatie". Where one thinks that means bounce, another sway, and another a light front end of the S-Fe. The light front end was what I was going for, especially since the OP loads the trailer tail heavy, that is begging for disaster; steering would be scary! Too little tongue weight and without WDH or sway control????

I also deduced the reason he loads heavier in the rear of the trailer (as well as front heavy in the SF) was to lessen rear end sag.

So, what is "floatie feel"?

The SF is going to be more prone to sway that a truck due to its spring, tires, etc., but if set up correctly (and driving a reasonable speed) 3500# shouldn't be a problem.

Besides knowing definitions, pictures are worth thousands of words!