I'm a real novice in matters of towing!. We've been looking for a new car / 4WD that will tow a small to medium van and quite like the Santa Fe (Diesel Auto). Apparently it will tow 2 Tonnes - however someone told me that they can't fit a "weight distributing hitch" to the Santa Fe. My questions - what is a weight distributing hitch? Do I need one and does anyone have any info about a Santa Fe and is it "big enough" to do the job?
excited-newbies said
06:02 AM Aug 22, 2010
hi oneliner
a weight distrobution hitch is attached to ur towball that has 2 steel arms that also attaches to the caravan it stops the van from excessive sway and also keeps the van more on a level plateau i am sorry i can't tell u in better term that is how i can explain i think that u should be able to have it on a santa fe call in and ask a towbar shop
hope this helps a little bit
urs excited-newbies
chris
Cupie said
08:28 AM Aug 22, 2010
Hi ... As its mame implies the WDH is a device to evenly distribute weight to both the front & rear wheels of the tow vehicle.
When we attach the van to the tow ball around 10% (the recomended amount of ball weight) of the van's weight is applied to the vehicle's rear. In most cases this will cause the front of the vehicle to lift resulting in reduced weight on the front (steering) wheels. Of course this can lead to an unsafe condition. This effect may result in the dangerous, unstable & swaying effect that lead some to say that a WDH is an anti sway device. Understandable.
Low weight on the front wheels of front wheel drive vehicles may well be an even greater problem..
To correct this we fit a WDH.
Either have one fitted professionally or closely read the instructions that come with the device.
I would never tow my wan without one.
Ps .. There is such a thing as an anti sway device. It is also possible to fit one to some WDHs but few use them.
PeterD said
08:42 PM Aug 22, 2010
I would be careful of that 2,000 kg towing weight. They only have a 150 kg ball weight. This effectively curtails their tow weight to 1,500 kg for Oz style vans. The Hayman Reese site product details for the Santa Fe tow bar does not mention any restriction for use of WDH like it does for the X-Trail.
I'm a real novice in matters of towing!
When we attach the van to the tow ball around 10% (the recomended amount of ball weight) of the van's weight is applied to the vehicle's rear. In most cases this will cause the front of the vehicle to lift resulting in reduced weight on the front (steering) wheels. Of course this can lead to an unsafe condition. This effect may result in the dangerous, unstable & swaying effect that lead some to say that a WDH is an anti sway device. Understandable.
Low weight on the front wheels of front wheel drive vehicles may well be an even greater problem..
To correct this we fit a WDH.
Either have one fitted professionally or closely read the instructions that come with the device.
I would never tow my wan without one.
Ps .. There is such a thing as an anti sway device. It is also possible to fit one to some WDHs but few use them.