[Jslatemu]

The Curt hitch states in the specifications "Not rated for use with WD systems" I don't know anything about towing and why that would be. So I'm not sure if the stock OEM hitch is the same way.

I like the idea of this: Camco Chem 48751 Wd Hitch Kit Recurve R3 600 Lb.
Another member installed it with his SC and the curt hitch, and hasn't had any issues. It comes with sway bars.

I'm going to be towing a 18' ft. boat with a dry weight of 2850lbs so that may be overkill but I don't know?

Finally towing | Hyundai Santa Cruz Forum (santacruzforums.com)

 

[Brian]

Got my Curt hitch installed today at UHaul. When I got home I decided to check their work just in case. None of the bolts were torqued and on top of that one was missing out of the six! Went back to UHaul to get the missing bolt and complain! Waiting to hear back from the GM to see how they’re gonna make this right.

 

[scobb1960]

Got my Curt hitch installed today at UHaul. When I got home I decided to check their work just in case. None of the bolts were torqued and on top of that one was missing out of the six! Went back to UHaul to get the missing bolt and complain! Waiting to hear back from the GM to see how they’re gonna make this right.

I had a bad experience with U-Haul last year when I asked them to install a 4 way to 7way adapter. I told them specifically that I needed them to hook up the black wire to power. They assured me it was done. I found out otherwise away from home when I went to use it the first time with my RF Brake Controller and it didn't connect to the remote. Crawled underneath my Santa Fe HTRAC and found the black wire bent over and sealed over with electrical tape to keep the elements out. Will never use them again.

 

[JMII]

The Curt hitch states in the specifications "Not rated for use with WD systems" I don't know anything about towing and why that would be. So I'm not sure if the stock OEM hitch is the same way.

WD hitches put a lot of stress on the hitch by changing the lever point. Keep in mind the SC is a unibody vehicle not a frame like a regular truck thus regardless of the hitch (OEM or Curt) the vehicle not be able to take the loads associated with a WD setup.

My rig (16' boat + trailer) has a weight of around 2,500lbs and I've never felt I needed a WD hitch, but also always towed with BOF truck not a unibody vehicle. However I feel pretty safe since this load is 1/2 what the SC is rated for. People towing near max capacity are likely going to find it very scary to have a full 5,000lbs behind them in a vehicle that weights 1,000lb less with such a short wheelbase. I know when I went from my Ranger to my Dakota the 10" more in wheelbase made a big difference in how stable everything was. The SC will be like going back to the Ranger so I am a bit worried there. I am hoping the self leveling rear shocks will offset this and keep the tail from wagging the dog so to speak.

This video explains the WD concept:

 

[Brian]

I had a bad experience with U-Haul last year when I asked them to install a 4 way to 7way adapter. I told them specifically that I needed them to hook up the black wire to power. They assured me it was done. I found out otherwise away from home when I went to use it the first time with my RF Brake Controller and it didn't connect to the remote. Crawled underneath my Santa Fe HTRAC and found the black wire bent over and sealed over with electrical tape to keep the elements out. Will never use them again.

Ya I knew I should have just done it myself good thing I checked their work. GM called me back just refunding me for the install. I tried to get some off the hitch too but he didn’t go for it.

 

[JeanM]

Now that the Blue Beastie has exceeded the 1200 mile threshold for pulling a trailer, today I hooked up the horse trailer and went for a ride (left the horse at home this time). Rides nice! I did notice a slight "clunk" sound when the trailer rode over bumps, which I think was due to the slop between the receiver and the hitch. It's no looser a fit than I had with the hitch in the Frontier or Explorer I have pulled with before, so I think it's that the sound carries more in the smaller Santa Cruz. Because the SC is lower than my previous vehicles, I used zip ties to shorten the safety chains a bit, and I need to figure out something similar to bring the electrical cable farther off the ground.

If you look closely, you can see the muddy mare in the background who soon will be traveling again in her Port-a-Potty on Wheels pulled by a Blue Beastie. [it looks like the trailer is pointing down, but that's just due to where it's parked]

 

[2022Baja]

Thanks to all the smart folks who came before me, my son and I successfully installed:
Curt trailer hitch: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer_Hitch/CURT/C23WR.html
Kia 7-pin harness: 2020-2022 Kia Telluride Tow Hitch Harness 7 Pin S9F67-AC500 Kia Parts Store Kia Wholesale Parts Phoenix Dallas San Francisco Los Angeles Bay Area | Kia Parts Store
Curt easy-mount bracket: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B81772Y?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Challenges:

• Lowering the muffler. Brute force. Not smart enough to use some grease. Replacement was a lot easier with some vaseline.
• OMG trying to screw in the bolts on the passenger side was a major PIA. Tried every tool I had and more creative choices from Lowe's. Don't know on what planet that rates as easy.

But the result is perfect.

 

[Jslatemu]

Now that the Blue Beastie has exceeded the 1200 mile threshold for pulling a trailer, today I hooked up the horse trailer and went for a ride (left the horse at home this time). Rides nice! I did notice a slight "clunk" sound when the trailer rode over bumps, which I think was due to the slop between the receiver and the hitch. It's no looser a fit than I had with the hitch in the Frontier or Explorer I have pulled with before, so I think it's that the sound carries more in the smaller Santa Cruz. Because the SC is lower than my previous vehicles, I used zip ties to shorten the safety chains a bit, and I need to figure out something similar to bring the electrical cable farther off the ground.

If you look closely, you can see the muddy mare in the background who soon will be traveling again in her Port-a-Potty on Wheels pulled by a Blue Beastie. [it looks like the trailer is pointing down, but that's just due to where it's parked]
View attachment 6796

I use a hitch receiver dampener or stiffener, whatever you want to call it, on my cargo carrier and it reduces the clunk noise significantly.

Example:
LIBERRWAY Hitch Tightener for 1.25" and 2" Hitches 304 Stainless Steel Hitch Tightener Anti-Rattle Stabilizer Rust-Free Heavy Duty Lock Down Easy Installation Quiet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KZ25Y2.../dp/B01KZ25Y26/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_5J63K57B9E6BACQEDMHM?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Trucklet4me]

I use a hitch receiver dampener or stiffener, whatever you want to call it, on my cargo carrier and it reduces the clunk noise significantly.

Example:
LIBERRWAY Hitch Tightener for 1.25" and 2" Hitches 304 Stainless Steel Hitch Tightener Anti-Rattle Stabilizer Rust-Free Heavy Duty Lock Down Easy Installation Quiet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KZ25Y2.../dp/B01KZ25Y26/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_5J63K57B9E6BACQEDMHM?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Yup. I have the same thing but different brand name. Works well.

 

[Mike_TX]

Vaseline? On the rubber hangers?

 

[JeanM]

I use a hitch receiver dampener or stiffener, whatever you want to call it, on my cargo carrier and it reduces the clunk noise significantly.

Example:
LIBERRWAY Hitch Tightener for 1.25" and 2" Hitches 304 Stainless Steel Hitch Tightener Anti-Rattle Stabilizer Rust-Free Heavy Duty Lock Down Easy Installation Quiet Amazon.com

interesting... I had no idea there was a solution! thanks
that looks like it's meant for a receiver that you don't intend to remove from the vehicle often; this might be the solution for me since I'd like to be able to remove the receiver when not in use. Amazon.com: CURT 22325 No-Tool Anti-Rattle Hitch Clamp Tightener for 2-Inch Receiver, Hollow or Solid Shanks : Automotive

 

[JMII]

Vaseline? On the rubber hangers?

You just need something to help lube the rubber exhaust hangers so they slide back on easily. I've replaced the exhaust on a cars or two and various products work. Vaseline just melts when hot so its seems safe for this application.

interesting... I had no idea there was a solution! thanks

I've though of adding one these to reduce trailer related vibrations: RockerBall 2" Cushion Hitch Trailer Ball (1" Shank, 7,500 lbs.) it doesn't fix the receiver rattling issue but might help with bumps and dips that get transmitted from the trailer to the vehicle.

 

[JeanM]

You just need something to help lube the rubber exhaust hangers so they slide back on easily. I've replaced the exhaust on a cars or two and various products work. Vaseline just melts when hot so its seems safe for this application.



I've though of adding one these to reduce trailer related vibrations: RockerBall 2" Cushion Hitch Trailer Ball (1" Shank, 7,500 lbs.) it doesn't fix the receiver rattling issue but might help with bumps and dips that get transmitted from the trailer to the vehicle.

another interesting concept. thanks!

 

[Dun4791]

Now that the Blue Beastie has exceeded the 1200 mile threshold for pulling a trailer, today I hooked up the horse trailer and went for a ride (left the horse at home this time). Rides nice! I did notice a slight "clunk" sound when the trailer rode over bumps, which I think was due to the slop between the receiver and the hitch. It's no looser a fit than I had with the hitch in the Frontier or Explorer I have pulled with before, so I think it's that the sound carries more in the smaller Santa Cruz. Because the SC is lower than my previous vehicles, I used zip ties to shorten the safety chains a bit, and I need to figure out something similar to bring the electrical cable farther off the ground.

If you look closely, you can see the muddy mare in the background who soon will be traveling again in her Port-a-Potty on Wheels pulled by a Blue Beastie. [it looks like the trailer is pointing down, but that's just due to where it's parked]
View attachment 6796

Thanks for the post! Can’t you just twist the chains to make them shorter?

 

[JeanM]

Thanks for the post! Can’t you just twist the chains to make them shorter?

that's what I did for the test drive, and may revert to it if the zip ties aren't satisfactory

 

[2022Baja]

Vaseline? On the rubber hangers?

on the metal rods that stick in the rubber hangers, yes. Works like a charm.

 

[Jslatemu]

interesting... I had no idea there was a solution! thanks
that looks like it's meant for a receiver that you don't intend to remove from the vehicle often; this might be the solution for me since I'd like to be able to remove the receiver when not in use. Amazon.com: CURT 22325 No-Tool Anti-Rattle Hitch Clamp Tightener for 2-Inch Receiver, Hollow or Solid Shanks : Automotive

I only put my cargo carrier on for short day trips to the in-laws since we have to take the stroller, high chair, pack+play, baby and dog stuff, and its a very quick install even with the hitch stabilizer. installs in minutes with a ratchet and 14 deep well. I take it on and off regularly.

 

[JeanM]

I can now happily report that the Blue Beastie towed the horse in her trailer beautifully! Very, very pleased... in fact, I think it went better up & down the many hills in eastern Conn and into RI than my 2011 Frontier did (which is rated to tow 6000 lbs).
I will have to take the Beastie back to UHaul and have them bend the plug for the lights back up where it should be. It's currently pointing down, which I guess may have had to do with installation of the hitch (by the dealership) or the electrical? anyhow, it should be level. I'll do it at the same time I ask UHaul to mount the "Rockerball" that I've ordered

 

[ToadVine]

... Challenges: Lowering the muffler. Brute force. Not smart enough to use some grease. Replacement was a lot easier with some vaseline.

Many rubber parts will be degraded over time from contact with a petroleum-based product (grease, Vaseline, oil.) Liquid dish soap, applied without dilution, is a good lubricant. Afterward, it can be thoroughly rinsed away with water. A silicone spray lubricant works also, and no need to rinse off.

 

[VTCruz]

I will definitely be towing two four wheelers on a lightweight aluminum trailer. A friend has an Airstream Bambi he is selling soon, I have my eye on that.