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Right now this vehicle is useless to me. If their is any one else having this type of problem I would like to hear if they have gotten any help from Hyundai. Thanks rjr2565
I'm a newbie to this forum. You have all provided fantastic information. I have seen everyone mentioning 2007 and 2008 Santa Fe's regarding towing packages, but is anyone familiar with the older models and the accessability/effectiveness of mounting a towing package onto one such as my 2005 Santa Fe? Any and all comments would be welcome.
Thanks!
Thanks to all!
Thanks for your reply!
Check in the left rear wheel well--that's where the connection is for installing the harness.
Thanks :sick:
Not all models have the plugs though. I believe only the models with the trailer prep package had the wiring connectors. Non-trailer-prep models (like yours) need a different wiring harness without the connectors. This one you have to splice into the signal wiring and run power directly from the battery. If the dealer can't get you one, it is available aftermarket specifically for this vehicle at etrailer.com (they have both kinds of harnesses).
Make sure the harness you get from the dealer is the new harness as the old ones are on recall since they short out and can cause a fire. Mine blew, and I've been waiting 3 months for a replacement, so I bought an aftermarket one myself (which works great by the way).
Hope this helps,
Cheers
I may get the hitch reinforced so that part doesn't twist.
Has anyone else towed with a WDH? Any feedback?
I've got a 2007 FWD Limited with touring and tow package.
Thanks,
Mike
I gave them back the Hyundai harness and they gave me the one that plugs into each tail light. It's an after market unit that they just put a Hyundai parts sticker on. It was extreamly easy to hook up...just unplug the tail light and plug in the harness. It took abot 15 minutes.
I'm off to the lake tomorrow with the boat.
TTYL
They look good. I believe in Europe these are called rear fog lights. Mine will just be on whenever the lights are on.
07 StaFe AWD GLS
just a few comment here about the towing capacity. The 2000# rating without the towing package is a joke, any VW Rabbit can tow that legally. Even the 3500# is still underrated for warranty reasons. If anyone cares to check, in Europe the tow rating for the Fe with the 2.7 Liter engine is 5000# at a max. 10% grade, 4400# at 12% grade in Germany and on the UK site it is still 4400# braked and #1653 unbraked! link title. The only limitation they give is the tongue weight, which is limited to about 176#. The hitch system in Europe is also using the holes on the side of the rear frame (check, they are their on US/Canada versions as well) to give a more solid mount, then with the two bolts used on our version of the hitch system. Check page 2 of the .pdf in this link link title
As for the bigger radiator with the tow package "BS"! My vehicle doesn't have the tow package and it still has the mounting holes for the transmission cooler present. So why would the cooler without the transmission cooler have these holes pre fabricated! I checked to get the factory transmission cooler and it is not available from Hyundai Canada. I sent back a message telling them how would they fix a vehicle with the tow package, if they can't get the part! What a bunch of (insert your preferred word)! Anyhow, I just needed to rant and put this stuff out there, because I don't like how Hyundai is treating it's customers.
Cheers
We recently bought a 2008 Santa Fe GLS. Question...how can I tell if it has a tow package or not...note the trailer harness is present near the left rear tire and there is what appears to be 2 coil oil cooler behind the grill in the left front as you look at the vehicle. Also ther are two fans for cooling the radiator. What do you'all think and what should I look for?
Thanks
Ron
ron
Just wondering if the dealer has a better tow hitch for the '08 Santa Fe than what I can get, say from Hidden Hitch. Does anyone one know if the dealer-supplied tow hitch is true Hyundai parts or Hyundai-approved? Also, is the one from the dealer similar to after-market in that there are no holes to drill and the frame extends under the dual exhausts? I don't particularly care for that look and if the dealer-supplied hitch doesn't go around the exhausts and looks more "original equipment", I would just go to them. Thanks for the help!
Pete
Don't know about the dealer hitch, but I just installed one from E-trailer and it went on "without a hitch" (sorry) in 15 minutes. The only time you you see the under muffler part is from directly behind. Feels very secure. I know that E-trailer offered another one that goes on differently. I thought it looked clunky and appeared to be harder to install. Be sure to order the wiring that plugs into the connections supplied adjacent to the driver side muufler along the inner body.
have Fun.
Ron
E-trailer seems to be the vendor of choice among those commenting in this particular forum. One guy quoted the price as $128 for the '08 SF, but it's about $179 as of last night when I checked, so not sure why there would be such a swing in price, unless the $128 figure in incorrect...
Thanks again for the advice!
I didn't like the the extra piece either so i ordered the curt hitch which does not have it: Part Number: 13538 at e-trailer 159.95 includes shipping...at my house in four days. Going to tow my boat home soon i'll lst you know how it goes.
From reading some of the previous posts in this forum, it sounds like ordering this part from the dealer is not a good idea. They probably will use a similar type installation (no drilling, around the mufflers) hitch anyway. When I asked at the dealer before picking up my '08 SF, they gave me a loose answer. I specifically asked if they have the true Hyundai tow hitch to put on at the dealer (per the options list for the SF) and they said "maybe or we'll put on a "Hyundai-approved" after-market hitch." So you know they probably go to places like e-trailer, mark up the cost and charge for installation as well!
Buyer beware?! ;-)
Pete
I just realized that the hitch (as well as my Thule bike rack) on my old car is 1 1/4", not 2", which seems to be a standard? I guess since a new Thule bike rack that fits a 2" receiver hitch is minimum $200+ and the adapter offered by etrailer.com is $40, I will also buy the adapter.
Do you know if 2" is the standard? My old car is a Ford product (Mazda Tribute), and they all seem, inlcuding the full size Explorer, to have 1 1/4" receivers instead of 2".
I didnt see any hitch other than 2" offered by etrailer.com for the '08 SF
Thanks
Pete
Thanks for any help.
No idea...I've just seen the two inchers and since it suited my needs that's what I went with. BTW just got with my boat in tow..got 19 MPG and the SF performed well save for some of the steep hills -to be expected - very satisfied.
Good Luck Ron
Certainly seems like it would be...i'm no expert...just a regular guy. Good Luck
Ron
Thanks
I just looked at the firestone catalog pg. 20 and you are right. I have been waiting for these. I just hope they are not vaporware as you mention.
"We completely redesigned the Coil-Rite product line and should have all
part numbers available by mid April at the latest."
Sincerely,
Ride-Rite
Tech Support
www.riderite.com
He has had customers with air bag blow outs on the same vehicle twice in a row, even with him the professional installing them. I could see that upper "jounce" bracket popping the bag. But this is the only option for me at the moment, my fingers are crossed.
I am about to order and install a Curt hitch (#13538). During my research it seems different hitches get torqued differently. I don't have a torque wrench but have watched several install videos at etrailer.com and seem to have a feeling how much force to use. What did you do? :confuse:
Paul
I don't have a torque wrench either...I just tightened the bolts up as much as I could using a 1/2 ratchet and a 12 inch extension..also needed a universal for the bolt on top of the support bar. All is well as I recently towed our 19.5 ft bayliner home from the shop with no problems. Don't forget to get the wiring harness that plugs into the factory harness along the frame driver side rear...very slick.
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Have fun
Ron
1st question: should there be a wiring harness under rear bumper on driver side?
2nd: if there is, does it plug directly into trailer (flat four) wiring or is there some kind of adaptor i need to buy? where?
3rd: if there IS an adaptor should I get it or just forget about it and buy the "universal" kit on eTrailer?
4th: I like the Hidden Hitch best - anyone had any problems with these?
5th: Anyone ordered from JC Whitney lately or should I stick with eTrailer for a few bucks more?
Any answers would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Indeed there should be factory wiring plugs (2) along the driver's side rear well. There you plug in the appropriate harness:
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-VWH~30159.htm?vehicle=2008 Hyundai Santa%20Fe %20With%20Tow%20Package
works like a champ.
I installed it and this hitch:
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-H~13538.htm?vehicleid=20089809
four bolts and you're good to go.
hope this helps
Salmou
I finally relented 2 months ago and got a reese weight distribution hitch for my 2005 Fleetwood pop-up trailer and 2007 Santa Fe AWD / touring and couldn't be happier. Yeah, I know that they are not recommended for uni-body frames but I couldn't deal with that rear end sag for one of our many trips this year.
No issues whatsoever and the trailer behaved far superior to what I dealt with before, no swaying and far less bounce. Now that I have this setup, of course the airbags would become available ;-).
Me, i live in canada and i order it from a store that they sell parts for cars and truck in Montreal. They order it and it took 3 weeks to receive it.
Hope you find one !!!
Excuse my poor english, normaly i speak french !!!!!!!!
Salmou