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Hyundai Santa Fe Towing Questions
I bought a new Santa Fe, the option came with the Towing package. This included all the extra cooling and pre wiring.
So I had my Towing Package installed today. And I found out that they dealer who installed my package says it did not come with the pre wiring. I grabbed my Invoice, it does state I had this option. Anyway, now I have this Kimshi Red wire running all the way up into my engine compartment and attached to the Fuse Box. Also I niticed the had ti use Electrical tape on the Red Wire at the rear bumper. I noticed the control box and they spliced a red wire there and ran it all the way up front. Used about 3 or 4 tie strips. I paid $1300.00 for a Touriung package and didnt ge the pre wiriung I thought I would get. Maybe they dealer ordered the wrong Towing Package, I see on the OEM Parts page for Hyundai they have 2 different types of kits, One for the Pre wiring, one for the non-pore wiring.
Also I had the bug defflector installed. Wow, they didnt do that very well at all. Its not straight, and they mounted it in correctly.
I have pictures. But what I am looking for is some good firepower to go back to the dealer with. I am wondering if anyone can shed any light on this Towing Package.
Thanks
Dennis
So I had my Towing Package installed today. And I found out that they dealer who installed my package says it did not come with the pre wiring. I grabbed my Invoice, it does state I had this option. Anyway, now I have this Kimshi Red wire running all the way up into my engine compartment and attached to the Fuse Box. Also I niticed the had ti use Electrical tape on the Red Wire at the rear bumper. I noticed the control box and they spliced a red wire there and ran it all the way up front. Used about 3 or 4 tie strips. I paid $1300.00 for a Touriung package and didnt ge the pre wiriung I thought I would get. Maybe they dealer ordered the wrong Towing Package, I see on the OEM Parts page for Hyundai they have 2 different types of kits, One for the Pre wiring, one for the non-pore wiring.
Also I had the bug defflector installed. Wow, they didnt do that very well at all. Its not straight, and they mounted it in correctly.
I have pictures. But what I am looking for is some good firepower to go back to the dealer with. I am wondering if anyone can shed any light on this Towing Package.
Thanks
Dennis
0
Comments
thanks
My boat is a 17.5' Crestliner alum. fishing boat,the entire set-up weighs 1900 lb. That's boat,motor and trailer.
Figure out what yours would weigh from mfrg. web sites,etc.
Hope this helps.
On paper the new Santa Fe, should be just as good ?
I don't know anyone who tows with an asian designed vehicle, wonder why ?
Should the US keep the Chicken Tax? (Straightline)
I've seen many Toyota and Nissan trucks towing boats,not heavy loads like 5-wheeler rv's and such tho.
Of course Hyundai doesn't make a truck for the U.S. at present.
You can get a hitch from HiddenHitch.com for about $150,including wiring and no shipping cost.Bolts into 4 holes already in frame.
I'm reluctant to change vehicles when each weekend, I primarily see American mini-vans and trucks lining up at my boat launches. Hard to avoid group think.
Thanks for the info on hidden hitch, and for info on Chicken Tax. I have seen reference to that term but never looked it up till now. Interesting.
I wouldn't bank on using the pre-wired trailer harness, Hyundai has not finalized a corresponding adapter to plug into it. I did find an adapter however you have to take interior panels off to get to the existing light harnesses, still a PIA. If you have a 6 wire socket for brakes then you can get an adapter from flat 4 to round 6.
http://www.bsaohio.com/proddetail.php?prod=118415
Can you supply a part number for the harness alone. my dealer says it is only available with the entire package....TIA
That sure sounds counter-intuitive. Could you have your mechanic elaborate on this theory. I read the owners manual and have the AWD SE Santa Fe and will definitely tow up to 6 hours pulling a pop-up trailer (1800lbs) into high elevations 8500+ feet.
I am being slightly sarcastic in my tone, which I'm sure you can sense. I bought my vehicle primarily to be able to tow and have a great vehicle to drive. So far my towing experiences have been stellar, plenty of power and good mileage also. (17-18mpg)
http://www.draw-tite.com/fitguides/pdf/N118310.pdf
Or have a look through:
http://www.bsaohio.com/proddetail.php?prod=18310
Cheers and good luck.
If they added some kind of aftermarket job, you did not get what you paid for and I would first discuss it with the sales mgr, then if necessary Hyundai USA, then depending on your state, the AG's office if you do not get any where. I think they way you are describing the job, it might be fraud. That long red wire...where does it begin in the rear...the towing harness needs more than a single red wire even if added later.
The factory PKG needs the special harness ($80)to attach to existing pigtails and then converted thru a small converter box)to the traditional 4 prong adapter...sounds like they ran a wire for a Trailer brake....more info or Pics plzWithout a braking kit, there should be no spliced wires. The Non prewired SF's would have the wiring harness spliced into the brake lights.
I would also bring the poor workmanship on the bug deflector to the sale's manager's attention and insist that it be done correctly. Just MHO.
The bottom line is I paid for an option, Pre Wiring and they didnt use them. So I have Black Electrical tape and a poor wiring job. The Control Box has become lose, the glue they used dripped on my Tail Pipe.
I know its not you, I am just so upset that I didnt get the service I deserve. Its like yo mentioned, its like a aftermarket U-Haul Install.
I guess all I can do is try and make the dealer correct the problems.
Other thn my poor service, I love my Santa Fe. I think I try abother Hyundai dealer here for any more servicing.
EDIT.....It just dawned on me that you have probably purchased the whole Hyundai hitch kit...I do not know the correct # for the kit with the harness above...so pick and choose what is below
Just what wires did they splice into? BTW...I do not know if the prewire touring pkg is or is not wired for the trailer brake (Hyundai may have messed up that one) so I have no idea how they do that.....I am doubtful since my plug and play harness ends in a normal 4 prong trailer flat wire..I think there are special plugs for the brake kit though...do check first.
What did they splice into anyway...the prewire or tail light?
DEFINITELY NOT ACCEPTABLE...$1300 TOURING PKG AND THEN THAT MESS....
I would still lodge a formal complaint and see if you can get them to replace the harnesses where they put the black tape (OR WHATEVER THEY SPLICED INTO), remove the wrong harness and get you the correct one...do not think I would allow them to even install it from what you describe!!!!
At Kragen or whatever, you can buy a cheap trailer wiring harness checker for under $10 if you need to. BTW THE ETRAILERS.COM AFTERMARKET HARNESS DOES NOT EVEN USE SPLICES...USES NEAT T-CONNECTORS AND COSTS ABOUT $35!!! I bought my drawtight hitch there and the plug and play harness from my dealer. the hitch was about $120 shipped and high quality!!
The oem harness has crimp connectors that are used on SF's without the pre wiring (just like U-haul)...Black tape does not get it and I would be upset too. It really sounds like your dealer has no idea what's playing...the plug and play harness has been out a few months now.
I would definitely find another dealer and use HyundaiUSA if need be
Hint...those pigtails connectors have caps on them that you remove prior to snapping the CORRECT harness into them...it takes about 15 minutes to install the harness and most of that time is the routing of the loom and converter box that attaches up under the bumper area (actually on a strut type affair). Also on my harness a strong double sided tape is used to mount toe control box...NOT GLUE...glue near exhaust=bad news! AND IT MOUNTS TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THAT STRUT(BUMBER) NOT NEAR AN EXHAUST! THAT IS CLEAR IN THE INSTRUCTIONS!
SAVE THOSE PICTURES AND TAKE MORE JUST IN CASE!Please keep us posted
Quantity Name SKU Each Total (USD)
Non towing package:Hyundai Santa Fe 2007 Tow Hitch U8610-2B000 $373.35 $373.35
Pre-wired for towing package:Hyundai Santa Fe 2007 Tow Hitch U8610-2B100 $373.35 $373.35
I hope they will make this right. I am thinking they did drill in the rear somewhere. They applied some sort of silcone and when the did this, it dripped onto my Crome Exhaust tip. So it had this glue stick stuff all over it. Again I have pictures. I mat take the time to upload them here when I get home. I will even take a picture of the non used plugs that are in place.
I would like to thank you for all your help. You brought so much information I needed and could not get from my dealer.
Thanks
Get a file number after reporting the problems...they can be quite responsive when dealt with.
I only hope things work out for you and the pleasure is mine!
To my knowledge, ALL 2007 Santa Fes come with trailer pre-wiring. While it is advertised as being included with the Touring Package, I've heard on this forum from others who did not get the Touring Package that their vehicles were, in fact, pre-wired. You should look and see if the pre-wiring is there on yours. I bet it is.
To check, get under your Santa just behind the rear wheel on the driver's side. Use a flashlight and look at the inside of the body panel. You should see two thick black plastic cables with funny plugs on them. That's the trailer pre-wiring that your dealer should have plugged into.
My dealership didn't know anything about those connections when I went it to ask about trailer wiring. They tried to sell me a kit that required splicing. I had to show them the pre-wiring connectors and give them the part number for the wiring harness with the plugs for those connectors.
And if you buy the entire trailering kit from the dealer, which it sounds like you did, the kit includes both the hitch and wiring harness. BUT THE HARNESS INCLUDED IN THAT KIT IS THE WRONG ONE! The harness included in the kit requires splicing. To get the plug-in harness, you need a different part number at a cost of $81. That's why most of us on this forum recommend NOT getting the dealer-installed tow hitch. Just buy a Hidden Hitch or other brand hitch for $150 or so, and buy the plug-in wiring harness from your dealer for $81.
It sounds to me like your dealer just had the wrong wiring harness and was too lazy or cheap or stupid (or all three) to realize that they needed to get a different part.
Step one for you, though, is to verify that the pre-wiring is in fact there. I bet it is.
Luckily, I have my plug and play harness from the dealer and drawtite hitch from etrailers so I am at least set up neatly (yes, i installed it myself too since it was so simple)
I already posted this info previously, but for a recap I e-mailed Air Lift a photo of the rear springs and they said it may or may not work (this is after your remove the rubber bushing at the inside top of the coil spring shaft) because the air bag will only hit two of the coils. Obviously this would be bad if they didn't work.
The other alternative is air shocks, however after an exhaustive search of all the major manufacturers comparing overall length by minimum travel and max travel, including upper mount and lower mount....there is no shock available. I could get a close one that matches most variables and then bore out the rubber bushings and change/add sleeves. My neighbor swears we could do it.
It does seem a little crazy that it has that much rear end sag, I mean at least several crossover SUVs have air suspension systems (Suzuki XL 7) to solve this problem. I bought my Santa Fe primarily to tow. The engine is smooth as silk with plenty of power.
I would not recommend this vehicle as it equipped presently for towing with any sort of heavy tongue weight (300+)....Unless Hyundai gets their act together.
Sorry for the rant but I feel your pain, someone previously tried lift bars but most responded that the body cannot take that sort of tension. It would be nice to use them notched up maybe one chain just to get the rear sag to come up a little.
Maybe a solution will be forth coming from aftermarket companies or even Hyundai.
Gary
My RV dealer said that they found an airbag that will work after matching up specs, etc. If the rear springs don't work, that might be the way to go.
I keep thinking of other vehicles which would have no problems with the tongue weight and they include a hitch with proper prewiring :' ) The air bag issue is not an option if you have to cut the upper bumper off, how the hell would you get it back on if the air bag didn't work?
It sure is great to have feedback on this issue.
It's only been a week since I ordered them, so I don't have any other info. at this time. I'll let you know what happens.
I was quoted $98.00 for Gabriel coilover shocks by www.shockshopusa.com if I can provide specs on my factory shocks. I'll wait and see if anyone has specs before tearing into mine.
"Hyundai has finally released a plug-in trailer wiring harness for the 07 Santa Fe. It is part number U8612-2B000. It's so new that my dealer didn't know it existed, and tried to tell me it didn't. They wanted to sell me part number U8614-2B000, which requires splicing. I told them to check with Hyundai, which they did, and surprise! I was right. The computer showed it in-stock in the warehouse, so I should have it in a few days. Retail price is $81.61."
I bought mine from Morrie's Hyundai in Minnetonka, Minnesota. It took them two days to get it. I installed it myself in about 15 minutes.
Here's the entire thread (see posts 11 and 13): james74, "How large a boat can I tow?" #1, 26 Jul 2006 7:59 am
but my harness instructions part# reads "Hyundai Sante fe Trailer Wiring Harness, part number U8610-2B100" (looks like they put the pkg part# on the harness only instructions!...very strange indeed)...Sorry but these old eyes.....(the 8 looked like a B at first glance)
I am in Nevada and had to get mine from Roseville Hyundai Calif (do not have their local addy but I found them on the net and called them) since my dealer tried to chg me $96 (A LITHIA MARKUP!!!) + tax and had to order it. Roseville Hyundai made it come out to $81 just for good will inc fgt and tax. They were really nice about it too. I would call around...surely another dealer would ship one...assuming they still sell it separately
And it DEFINITELY was available BY IT SELF. The actual dealer list is $81.61 ...it came in its own sealed factory box and neither my dealer or Roseville tried to stick it to me for the whole pkg....Ha $397 for a hitch pkg...that'l be the day. Many here tried to find a pair of connectors like that without success unless something has changed.By the time you get done and then add the converter box...it is worth it to just get the CORRECT hyundai part which includes the converter...stings a bit, but they can't bite your warrantee that way!!!
AND THANKS TO kdahlquist WHO SUPPLIED THE CORRECT PART# IN THE FIRST PLACE TO HELP ME OUT!
The shocks are white, while the standards shocks are yellow. The base Santa Fe only has a towing cap. of only 1434 lbs. (from Hyundai website). Also the Liberty is BOF, not unibody. Its BOF which have had the higher towing cap.
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Overview-c6759-2007-Liberty.html
UniFrame construction, which combines body and frame into one unit, makes the Liberty tougher than its competitors who use the body-on-frame technique.
http://www.carspace.com/gwilly/Albums/santa%20fe/shock%20jpeg.jpg/page/photo.htm- l#pic