R-pod Owners Forum : Towing with a Hyundai https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Miscellaneous / Off-topic : Towing with a Hyundai Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 28 Jun 2026 14:42:50 +0000 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 13:14:20 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=3763 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Towing with a Hyundai : That is pretty much what I experience... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35921#35921 Author: Sleepless
Subject: 3763
Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 1:14pm

That is pretty much what I experience with my Santa Fe.  If I use cruise control, it shifts more often so I don't use it when towing.  What helps me is to pick up speed going down hills and let the speed go down when going up hills.  We both have the same towing capacity and probably the same engine and transmission except mine is AWD.

When I was towing my 1600# boat, it seldom shifted gears.  But, the boat was lighter and much more aerodynamic than the pods.

Bob
]]> Tue, 23 Jul 2013 13:14:20 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35921#35921 Towing with a Hyundai : Our TV is the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35920#35920 Author: P&M
Subject: 3763
Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 12:42pm

Our TV is the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz.   We tend to let it shift itself unless it we are towing through hills or headwinds ... then I will manually shift at times to keep the RPM's lower and not overwork the tranny and engine.  With only a 3500# tow capacity we are more inclined to baby it a bit, take it slower, and keep the RPM's down.  I found that when left to it's own devices it is shifting in & out of gears @ the 60 mph mark more than I care for.

]]> Tue, 23 Jul 2013 12:42:51 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35920#35920 Towing with a Hyundai : Thanks for the comments.The Santa... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35914#35914 Author: Sleepless
Subject: 3763
Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 9:30am

Thanks for the comments.

The Santa Fe shares the identical engine in my Hyundai Azera Limited, both approaching 300 hp.  However, this rating is at 6300 RPM.  No one in their right mind would subject their vehicle to that.

At 60 mph, my Santa Fe is only turning 2000 rpm in 6th gear.  In 5th gear, it runs at 2300 to 2500, depending upon the load created by the terrain. In 5th, the ECO (economy) light frequently goes on, which is good.  Again I was pulling a trailer much heavier and wider than my pod. 

The service representative at my local dealer told me to just let it shift naturally, which put me in 6th unless I accelerate hard or am going up a slope.  6th gear does well in maintaining a conservative speed going down 6 or even 7% grades.  That has nothing to do with my question, but is a point of interest to me. 

Bottom line, I thing the service advisor didn't know the answer and simple told me to let it shift at will.  My owner's manual is full of towing information, but does not address how to manipulate the transmission.  I think the advice you gave, which confirms my thoughts, is correct.

Thanks again.

Bob
]]> Tue, 23 Jul 2013 09:30:02 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35914#35914 Towing with a Hyundai : I agree, keep it out of overdrive.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35907#35907 Author: techntrek
Subject: 3763
Posted: 23 Jul 2013 at 1:00am

I agree, keep it out of overdrive.  Your 5th may be an overdrive, too, 5th and 6th are both overdrives on mine if I remember right.  However, in tow mode it only locks out 6th.  If you have a little extra power in 5th and your tranny temps are staying in a good range then just lock out 6th.

Does your manual discuss towing?

]]> Tue, 23 Jul 2013 01:00:40 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35907#35907 Towing with a Hyundai : Originally posted by SleeplessLast... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35892#35892 Author: Seanl
Subject: 3763
Posted: 22 Jul 2013 at 3:25pm

Originally posted by Sleepless

Last month we came back from a 6000 mile trip to the Southwest.  We owned a larger trailer (2800# dry weight) with our 200010 Santa Fe (V6, 284 hp) and kept it in sixth gear, which is the highest.  On many steep hills and up some of the mountain passes we temporarily locked it in fifth gear.  Overall, we averaged about 12.5 mpg.  I have not yet towed our R-Pod for any distance.

Now we own our R-Pod 173 which is considerably lighter.  I know many members tow with Hyundai vehicles and I am wondering what gears you normally use when you are towing.  I have noticed that in 6th gear, I press harder on the accelerator to maintain normal towing speed, while in 5th gear I run at higher RPMs but can ease up on the accelerator.  Which gear do you think would give the better gas mileage on the Interstates?

Bob

I don't know about the Santa Fe but on most vehicles you avoid top gear when towing because it is an overdrive gear. This means that the gear ratio is less that 1 to 1, in case you did not know. In overdrive the transmission will heat up more which is bad for your transmission. Overdrive will give you better gas mileage but at the cost of your transmission maybe. 
]]> Mon, 22 Jul 2013 15:25:46 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35892#35892 Towing with a Hyundai : Last month we came back from a... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35889#35889 Author: Sleepless
Subject: 3763
Posted: 22 Jul 2013 at 2:32pm

Last month we came back from a 6000 mile trip to the Southwest.  We owned a larger trailer (2800# dry weight) with our 200010 Santa Fe (V6, 284 hp) and kept it in sixth gear, which is the highest.  On many steep hills and up some of the mountain passes we temporarily locked it in fifth gear.  Overall, we averaged about 12.5 mpg.  I have not yet towed our R-Pod for any distance.

Now we own our R-Pod 173 which is considerably lighter.  I know many members tow with Hyundai vehicles and I am wondering what gears you normally use when you are towing.  I have noticed that in 6th gear, I press harder on the accelerator to maintain normal towing speed, while in 5th gear I run at higher RPMs but can ease up on the accelerator.  Which gear do you think would give the better gas mileage on the Interstates?

Bob
]]> Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:32:08 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3763&PID=35889#35889