I purchased a 2008 Santa Fe SE AWD and added the towing hitch option only, per the recommendation of the sales rep and another sales rep who sells a lot of trucks.
We have a 19' Crowline boat that I believe is around 3,000 lbs total weight.

We wanted to purchase the towing package that has the additional trans. cooler, radiator, fans, etc., but did NOT purchase that because those options would also add a 3rd row of seats (that we didn't need), and reduce the storage room (that we DID need)! So we only added the towing hitch.

We plan to pull the boat less than 10 miles to the Missisippi River (each way) a couple of times a month to go boating. The first time we did this, everything went just fine, and the Santa Fe pulls the boat to and back out of the water with apparant ease!

However, I noticed what I would call a 'hot oil' smell coming from the Santa Fe when we put the boat back into the garage, so I am afraid of twing the boat again until I check with the experts on the Hyundai Forum !

Will I be causing a problem to the vehicle because I have the 'tow hitch' only and I do not have the additional 'towing package' engine components ?
When do you need the other components? Longer distance towing? Heavier towing ? Towing in hot weather?

Is the 'hot oil' smell legit, or am I over-reacting?
Will our Santa Fe be okay with just the tow hitch ?

What are my options if it is not ok to have the hitch only?

Please advise !
Thank You !

You could add a transmission fluid cooler for not a lot of money (even do it yourself, if you're mechanically inclined - beware warranty gotchas, though).

The transmission fluid already gets cooled in the radiator (at least on auto transmissions) and the dedicated transmission cooler (which is just a smaller radiator) would be added between the line that comes off the radiator and goes back into the transmission.

This post has been edited by R4M0N: Jun 2 2008, 03:20 PM

Check your fluid on your transmission dipstick. Replace it if it looks or smells burned. This doesn't mean that your transmission is damaged but you should never run with burned fluid or it will wreck your tranny.

Hopefully the hot smell is only from normal operation and not overheating.

Someone could probably verify this for me but i believe the stock SE can tow 3500 lbs with no additional options. I agree with the above poster just check the fluid if it doesnt look or smell burned and still has good viscosity when you rub it between your fingers you should be fine.

You tow it 10 miles. I wouldn't care if you were pulling 4,500 lbs you can do any damage in 10 miles. the 3,500 lbs capacity is just a safety mark you can probalby pull 7,000 lbs easy. 10 miles is a short distance, don't worry about it.

The 2007/2008 Santa Fe, WITH the trailer prep package, can tow up to 3500 pounds (with trailer brakes). Without the trailer prep package, it can tow up to 2000 pounds. This is straight from the source book.

You most likely have the "towing package" already. I saw on my window sticker that it said towing packing included. I looked at all the 3.3 l on the lot and they all had the towing package.

Santa Fe Equipped With Vehicle Tow Package (*1)
Vehicle Model Year Receiver Size (Inches) Towing Capacity - kg/lbs Tongue Weight - kg/lbs
Santa Fe (2.7L) FWD (*2)(*3) 2007+ 2.00 1270 / 2800 127 / 280
Santa Fe (3.3L) FWD (*2)(*3) 2007+ 2.00 1588 / 3500 159 / 350
Santa Fe (3.3L) 4WD (*2)(*3) 2007+ 2.00 1588 / 3500 159 / 350

:thumbsup:

I appreciate the feedback.
Thank You !

DTC

I appreciate the feedback.
Thank You !

DTC