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Post Info TOPIC: Flat Towing a Kea Sportage (Manual)
Roughing it Smoothly


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Flat Towing a Kea Sportage (Manual)
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We are looking for a 4x4 to tow behind our motor home with a Blue Ox and find it very complicated. We didn't want the Suzuki Vitara as the fuel consumption is considerably high. We like the look of the Kea Sportage (older model) and even though Blue Ox and Road Master both sell base plates to suit, we can find no documentation or confirmation from Kea that it can be flat towed? Has anyone out there had experience With the Manual Kea Sportage?



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madaboutled


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With my limited knowledge on the subject and not being a mechanic, I believe the issues are with towing Automatics. The Vitara's automatics apparently have a transfer case with a netural that allows the auto trans to not turn whilst being towed.  So, a Manual anything shouldn't pose a problem.  The mechanics here will jump on me if I'm wrong, but that's my take on it.



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Yuglamron


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Hitch-N-Go reckon Sportage from 1995 to 2005 can be flat towed.



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NeilandRaine


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Always had a problem with a car called Killed In Action

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Mechanised Swaggies 

 
Roughing it Smoothly


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That's what we thought, but it is a lot of money if it is not the case. We will wait and see, hopefully someone else may have the answer. Kea are not committing themselves. I guess they only want to sell a new car.



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Yuglamron


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Suzuki Jimney?

Majestic Motorhomes Gypsy Trailer?



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jules47


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We tow a Nissan Micra (1996) manual on a dolly trailer - same as Gypsy. Two wheels up via ramps, tie down straps, with a basket for the wheels. In first gear or reverse, and the handbrake off. No problem at all, had it over a year now and we have done over 12,000k in the car alone, off the trailer. Weight is right for our tow vehicle (Jayco Conquest).

Got the trailer - new - from Hoppers Crossing trailers in Melbourne (Hoppers Crossing of course) - they are great guys and very helpful. Cost was $2300 n the road with wiring and rego, with new tyres (could have had second hand).

Having the car with motorhome is an initial outlay, for the car and trailer, but a big saving in fuel costs, wouldn't be without it now! Also a good place to carry chairs and the like.



-- Edited by jules47 on Thursday 17th of March 2016 02:45:51 PM

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jules
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Roughing it Smoothly


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We did consider a dolly trailer but then it is extra to store on site where you camp. Extra rego etc. We have a fabrication business and could easily make one but would rather have the Blue Ox just folded up on the rear of the motor home. Thank you for your contribution though. We have just found today that the petrol Kia Sportage can be flat towed so we presume the Diesel would be exactly the same. We won't rush it and hopefully someone will be able to confirm that the diesel can be flat towed.

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jules47


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Hope you are right about the diesel model Kia - I posted just for your interest and comparison - what weight can you tow? We can do 1500kg - car and trailer only come to 1200.

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jules
"Love is good for the human being!!"
(Ben, aged 10)
Roughing it Smoothly


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Finally we have an answer. We found a great link that lists all the cars that can be successfully flat towed.
www.motorhome.com/download-dinghy-guides/


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jade46


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What make / model motorhome do you have ? The Kia Sportage is to heavy for any of the Fiat based motorhomes. For flat towing you need to look at the GVM weight of the car. The Daihatsu Terious is one of the favourites if you want a 4x4  



-- Edited by jade46 on Friday 25th of March 2016 09:09:43 AM

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