[Don67]

QUOTE (jsinton @ Jun 22 2010, 03:45 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=335288

And if I planned on towing, I wouldn't buy a Santa Fe.

Okay, I'll bite. Why wouldn't you buy a Santa Fe for towing? That's kinda like saying you wouldn't buy a boat for floating.

 

[Don67]

QUOTE (jsinton @ Jun 22 2010, 10:37 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=335418

It's pretty simple. Santa Fe was not designed as a work truck. The transmission and suspension are not built for it. It's ok for towing once and a while, but if you demand heavy duty towing with a diesel motor, then consider a Ford or something.

Yikes, I didn't realize that by "towing" we were talking about a 10,000 pound horse trailer. Indeed, the Santa Fe is no Ford F-350 dualie.

For a 2,000 pound family camper, however, the Santa Fe makes much more sense than a truck. It is more comfortable, more maneuverable, more fuel efficient, and is 100% up to the task. I pulled my camper over 6,000 kilometers in one trip and didn't burn a drop of oil or budge the temperature gauge. Doing the exact same trip with a similar trailer, however, my buddy's F-150 did manage to blow a spark plug nearly clear through the hood. ^_^

QUOTE (pen411 @ Jun 23 2010, 12:00 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=335545

I was thinking more along of the lines of how my 2.7l just feels underpowered for a vehicle that weighs 5300 lbs.

Your Santa Fe must have lead floor mats. My 3.3 AWD weighs a tick over 4,000 pounds. :huh:

 

[Don67]

Dunmovin & jsinton, you're both right. The Triton engine defect affected thousands of truck owners, whether they were towing or not. Just like GMC head gaskets, Dodge Ram transmissions, Nissan Titan axles, and Toyota Tacoma frames.

My point is simply that being a "work truck" does not make a vehicle any tougher or more suitable for moderate towing applications. Buy a cattle hauler if you really need one, but for towing the family camper it's hard to beat a Santa Fe.

Getting back to the original post, I haven't seen any credible evidence that we will get a diesel in North America anytime soon. I'd love a diesel for towing purposes, but probably wouldn't buy one otherwise.