Need Advise Pulling T@B 400 BD with 24 KIA Telluride.

enzo86

We just completed our first long trip, covering around 400 miles with the trailer at highway speeds (55-65 mph). I noticed a few things during the trip. We experienced a lot of bouncing and lurching when the speed dropped below 45 mph, and even at speeds above this range, we still encountered bouncing. At 65 mph, we could feel the movement of every passing car, making the drive uncomfortable and not very relaxing. I'm seeking some advice on where to start in addressing these issues. I will include some pictures and statistics below. We are towing with all the tanks dry.

Kia: 2024 SXP X-PRO
Base engine size    3.8 L
Cylinders    V6
Horsepower    291 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque    262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm
Curb weight    4,522 lbs.
Maximum towing capacity    5,500 lbs.
Maximum payload    1,395 lbs.
Gross weight    5,917 lbs.
8-Speed Automatic Transmission        
First    4.808:1    4.808:1
Second    2.901:1    2.901:1
Third    1.864:1    1.864:1
Fourth    1.424:1    1.424:1
Fifth    1.219:1    1.219:1
Sixth    1.000:1    1.000:1
Seventh    0.799:1    0.799:1
Eighth    0.648:1    0.648:1

2022 TAB 400:
Boondock Package –
Tongue Weight Dry 336lbs
Total Gross Weight Dry 2,911lbs.

MuttonChops

First item to add would be a Hitch Stabilizer that should eliminate the slow speed noise and sense of the trailer bumping.

One source:  Hitch stabilizer 

For the highway speed movement your rig might benefit from the addition of an anti-sway bar.  A bar that is installed between the tow ball mount and trailer A-Frame which creates friction reducing how quickly the trailer moves side-to-side in cross winds.  (anti-sway bar only, not WDH with anti-sway)

Side Note:
It is "best practice" not to twist the safety chains.
Twisting reduces their strength, other methods are available to adjust the length.

mickietucs

I've found this $11 purchase to be awesome for chains.....been using them for years.

enzo86

Thanks for the feedback folks, anything else I might be missing?  Guess I should get a scale for the trailer tongue weigh and check that.   Towing now is pretty stressful, we pull a 1800lb boat with the same TV without issue but it is lighter and on a longer trailer.

Bill&Suze

Hi @enzo86, I was interested to read of your experience towing with your Telluride because Susan and I are towing a 2024 T@B 400 BD with a Kia EV9, the electric version (kinda) of the Telluride. For the few trips we've done, admittedly none as long as 400 miles straight, towing has been easy and the camper didn't subject the EV9 to the kind of bouncing that you've described and side motion from passing trucks is minimal, likely because the EV9 is so much heavier. Our rear suspension appears to be pretty beefy. Lowering the camper down onto the hitch doesn't drop the back of the car much. Like you, I hold speed to 55-60 mph. We also tow with dry tanks. I've increased tire pressure all around from Kia's recommended 38 psi to 42 rear and 40 front.

I imagine that you see a significant drop in range when towing, as do we, but towing with an electric vehicle is maybe made more relaxing due to how quiet it is on the highway and how easily it pulls the camper weight thanks to its torque, motor power and additional 1200 lb. vehicle weight . Next week we have a 3 day trip to Mt. Desert Island here in Maine and plan to charge at a campground site offering 30 and 50 amp electric - 30 for the T@B and 50 for a portable Level 2 charger.

Comparable stats for the EV9:
horsepower 379
torque 443 lb.-ft.
curb weight 5790 lbs.
similar max towing and payload weights

I do hope you can sort out a towing solution to ease the anxiety you felt on your first trip. Best of luck!
Bill Carter

MuttonChops

@Bill&Suze
FYI:
Campground electrical utilities are in general power source sized for 70-80% of available power 'outlets' being used.  Additionally many campground Rules state that a single camp site can use one of the available power source 20/30/50 Amp not two or three.

Yes, folks do use multiple Amperage connections just be aware it is not 'best practice' and during peak demand could be a factor in full campground brown outs or system shutdown.

enzo86

@Bill&Suze I would be interested if you have measured the space between the top of the tire and the fender for the front and rear tires with the 400 on and off the ball.  I am seeing about a 2in sag before the auto-level shocks get pumped up and about 1 1/4 in after.  Your picture looks like you have a bit of sag also with the rear of the camper also tail up.

enzo86

KYD had a nice towing calc, looks like all our numbers seem to be within bounds, Ill have to double check the hitch weight.

Bill&Suze

MuttonChops said:

@Bill&Suze
FYI:
Campground electrical utilities are in general power source sized for 70-80% of available power 'outlets' being used.  Additionally many campground Rules state that a single camp site can use one of the available power source 20/30/50 Amp not two or three.

Yes, folks do use multiple Amperage connections just be aware it is not 'best practice' and during peak demand could be a factor in full campground brown outs or system shutdown.

@MuttonChops, thank you for that insight. It's interesting that campgrounds I've contacted in our area of coastal Maine appear to be anticipating customers coming in with electric vehicles and are charging them an extra fee as though expecting the customer to want to charge the vehicle and also use camp power for their camper. Hopefully that means that they have provided a robust enough electrical grid throughout the campground to handle increased use. As EVs proliferate, campgrounds and RV parks will have to have electrical infrastructure in place and policies applicable to these situations, or they'll have to turn away potential customers. 

Bill&Suze

enzo86 said:

@Bill&Suze I would be interested if you have measured the space between the top of the tire and the fender for the front and rear tires with the 400 on and off the ball.  I am seeing about a 2in sag before the auto-level shocks get pumped up and about 1 1/4 in after.  Your picture looks like you have a bit of sag also with the rear of the camper also tail up.

I don't currently have the camper hitched to the car but at your suggestion I did measure unloaded gaps between tire and surrounding wheel trim. Rear has 3" clearance and front 2.5". I'll have to hitch up and check again. Like you, our rear suspension is self-leveling. I'm interested to see how things change. If you do access a tongue weight scale, please pass along what the result is. And thanks for posting the towing weight chart. What is KYD?

enzo86

@Bill&Suze

KYD are popular YT campers I found the info on their blog:
https://www.keepyourdaydream.com/payload/

lkc001

Have you tried towing with full fresh water tank?  On my old Tab 320S it made a huge difference in the "bouncing" at all speeds by having more weight forward.  Might be worth a try to take it on a 50 mile run.

Mickerly

Your problem is the undercut front of the trailer and the drag reducing back of the Kia. In other words, poor aerodynamics as a unit. The trailer looks streamlined from the side, unfortunately nature is 3-dimensional. I picked a unique solution. It tows very smoothly at all speeds now. 

manyman297

A friction sway bar would help eliminate the sway you’re feeling from passing cars. They’re relatively simple to install and make a big difference when it comes to side-to-side movement. 

andytabrv

2024 T@b 400.  Tow with 2022 Nissan Pathfinder.  Use a Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) with also acts as anti-sway.  I find it bounces a lot less with the weight distribution hitch and feels very stable at 65 mph.  I don't feel too much push from passing semis.

You will find varying opinions on this forum about the use of a WDH with a T@b 400.  Also, check your vehicle recommendations.  My vehicle is not self-leveling and it sagged in the back more than I'd like with the tongue weight of the T@b.  I installed it myself.  I'm very happy with how it handles.

Lisamorrisette

I’m jumping in here with my questions as I’m about to purchase a new TV because of the rear sag on my TV.
I currently tow a 2014 320 with a 2008 Toyota RAV V6 it handles very nicely on the highway and even on dirt roads. BUT the back end sags. Even with the hooks to hold my chains up they are so close to dragging. I often, even though I’m careful to enter at an angle, drag my jack when pulling into gas stations (the wheel no longer fits). I’ve heard about some kind of air bags, but that seemed like a patch fix.

So, I was going to get a 4 Runner. However, I don’t do off-roading only dirt roads to backcountry sites. The other vehicle I was considering is the KIA Telluride, but I certainly don’t want to end up with the same problem. The Telluride has a much higher towing capacity 5500 compare to my 3500 for the RAV.
Any thoughts advice would be welcome. I should add I’m an older single woman traveling alone with my dogs and reliability is really important.

lkc001

I’m in your same age range & travel & do everything myself— at 3500 weight limits on your current vehicle you are near maxed out & vehicle may struggle doing mountains—even if you added air bags—if you go up in tow capacity you will be much happier with towing experience.  Air bags are not just a “patch fix”— they are a legitimate way to get your vehicle & trailer level & many people me included have them.  Much easier to use than WDH.  Also if you go to a higher rated tow vehicle you can go to a larger trailer in the future as long as you stay within your tow ratings.

ckjs

@enzo86 @Lisamorrisette
You can measure the hitch weight with a bathroom scale and small wood block or something similar. If it is way out of bounds the rear bumper will sag a lot, or the tab will bounce around too much.

enzo86

I ended up buying a weigh-safe Aero hitch, Ill see what that numbers look like when I get it, at least then ill have some data to work with when loading.

Bill&Suze

enzo86 said:

I ended up buying a weigh-safe Aero hitch, Ill see what that numbers look like when I get it, at least then ill have some data to work with when loading.

@e@enzo86, I'll be very curious to hear what your tongue weight turns out to be. Will you be weighing a loaded or unloaded camper?

marchule

I'm not certain a different hitch (Aero) will make a real difference.  My e2 equalizer works very well with my Telluride.  I have no sway or porpoising.  I can pull at 70mph (not often) and have semi-rigs blow past me at 80 and feel "nothing".  I've pulled into strong head winds and handled side winds.  Again, no issues.  I've had the fresh water tank full and empty and it makes little difference on handling.  Yes, it takes a little more setup time to hitch up/down and backing up on an incline can be a little more technical.  I deal with those things just fine. 

Bill&Suze

enzo86 said:

I ended up buying a weigh-safe Aero hitch, Ill see what that numbers look like when I get it, at least then ill have some data to work with when loading.

Hi @enzo86, following up on what the tongue weight result was when you loaded the camper with it on the new Aero hitch.