Towing Escape 19 with 2018 Sorento VG?

[SwimSwam]

I am picking up a new Escape 19 in Chilliwack in August 2018. My first travel trailer! I plan on trading in my MINI Cooper Countryman for a medium sized SUV that can fit in my tiny urban garage. I am trying to keep the SUV length dimensions to around 190" (L) and 76" (W) windows folded. Escape 19 will be parked in the backyard.

Best fit I can find for my garage is a 2018 Kia Sorento V6 with 290 HP engine, 252 ft. lb of torque, final drive ration of 3.041, CW 4,343 GVRW 5,622 and towing capacity of 5000 lbs.

I am thinking 3,400 lbs GVRW for the loaded Escape 19 and tongue weight of 450 weight based on Forum responses.

Lastly, I live in Denver and plan many excursions over 11,000 foot passes in the coming years and no serious off-road travel. I am not expecting to exceed the speed limit going up I-70 over Vail Pass.

Your thoughts? Anyone have a late model V6 Sorento or Santa Fe hauling something similar?

Thanks!

[thoer]

See if you can find the GCWR of the specific Sorento model/designation you are looking into. That is another very important number to use in your calculations.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by SwimSwam

I am picking up a new Escape 19 in Chilliwack in August 2018. My first travel trailer! I plan on trading in my MINI Cooper Countryman for a medium sized SUV that can fit in my tiny urban garage. I am trying to keep the SUV length dimensions to around 190" (L) and 76" (W) windows folded. Escape 19 will be parked in the backyard.

Best fit I can find for my garage is a 2018 Kia Sorento V6 with 290 HP engine, 252 ft. lb of torque, final drive ration of 3.041, CW 4,343 GVRW 5,622 and towing capacity of 5000 lbs.

I am thinking 3,400 lbs GVRW for the loaded Escape 19 and tongue weight of 450 weight based on Forum responses.

Lastly, I live in Denver and plan many excursions over 11,000 foot passes in the coming years and no serious off-road travel. I am not expecting to exceed the speed limit going up I-70 over Vail Pass.

Your thoughts? Anyone have a late model V6 Sorento or Santa Fe hauling something similar?

Thanks!

I ran the trailer weights in the real world spreadsheet sort & averages function for the Escape 19,and the average trailer weight is 3663 lbs, with an average tongue weight of 375 lbs. All but two of these were first generation; the second generation averages are 3542 lbs trailer & 425 lbs tongue, but again, 2 trailers is not enough to be all that useful.

[SwimSwam]

Thanks Jon,

I'll use your numbers.

[AKCamper]

Not to say the AWD Sorento won’t work, but considering you are planning MANY trips over 11,000 high pass’ why not fill your small garage with camping gear and other junk like everyone else and buy a larger tow vehicle and park on the street. Just a thought. I’m not trying to be a smart a***, but I really would be more concerned about finding covered storage for the Escape rather than the tow vehicle. You could park the tow vehicle in the back yard if you could find covered storage for the trailer.

[rvomaha]

We tow our Escape 19 with a 2012 Ford Flex, having similar towing ratings and less horsepower than your vehicle. The combination works great. We have made the 11,000 + climbs on I-70 numerous times with no drama. I just let the transmission decide what gear it wants for 4,500 engine rpm, and we stroll up to the Eisenhower tunnel at around 50 mph.

[SwimSwam]

I like your ideas. Being a "newbie" at this, there are lots of tradeoffs and ways to do things. Thanks,

Kevin

[SwimSwam]

Thanks!

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by AKCamper

Not to say the AWD Sorento won’t work, but considering you are planning MANY trips over 11,000 high pass’ why not fill your small garage with camping gear and other junk like everyone else and buy a larger tow vehicle and park on the street. Just a thought. I’m not trying to be a smart a***, but I really would be more concerned about finding covered storage for the Escape rather than the tow vehicle. You could park the tow vehicle in the back yard if you could find covered storage for the trailer.

Or one could enlarge the garage and then not have to compromise on a tow vehicle.