Can Hyundai Santa Fe Be Flat Towed? (Let’s Find Out)
A significant number of vehicle manufacturers subscribe to flat towing. They recommend flat towing, stressing that it’s a great option to ensure that you pull your vehicle along without issues.
However, of late, others argue that only cars with manual transmission or other specifications can be flat towed.
The 2015 – 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe cannot be flat towed because it doesn’t offer a manual transmission. The Hyundai model has long stopped offering manual transmission since 2015. Hence, only older models than 2015 can be flat towed.
Is It Possible To Flat Tow A Santa Fe?
It is not possible to flat-tow a Santa Fe since there is a different mode of transmission operational in the vehicle.
The Hyundai Santa Fe runs alongside the pump designed to deliver enough lubrication to the transmission during operation.
Mismatching the towing concept could be detrimental to the well-being of your vehicle.
I, therefore, strongly advise that you refer to the Hyundai Santa Fe’s Owner’s Manual and see to it that you are on the right side.
On no account should you decide to suggest any changes in the use of vehicles with adequate reasons?
I am sure that you will prefer to have your car in good shape rather than insisting on doing otherwise.
But unfortunately, while flat towing, your vehicle’s transmission keeps operating, and without lubrication, your engine is susceptible to frost damage.
Other Hyundai model vehicles with this trend include the Elantra and its trims, the Santa Fe trims, and other models.
Hyundai warns against this practice and gives the threat of aid cuts as pertains to warranty.
Hyundai will withhold your warranty if you procure any damage due to the careless act of flat towing your Honda Santa Fe.
#1. Towing
Towing simply means hooking two or more objects together such that they can be dragged or pulled by a designated power source.
The idea of towing a car sprang from the need to convey an immobile car to the desired location. The creativity of towing has helped many drivers in both off-road and on-road situations.
Did you notice that I mentioned the power source? Don’t panic; this isn’t an electric power source. By mentioning ‘power source,’ I mean whatever that can pull the car you might tow.
The power source could be a human, a tree, an animal, a motorized land vehicle, an aircraft, a boat, and even more.
It’s easy to tow a vehicle provided you have what could be considered towing equipment: the instruments needed to connect both weights.
These instruments include a very strong rope, a chain, a fifth wheel, and any other helpful instruments.
#2. Flat Towing
Flat towing isn’t every other form of towing but a unique towing style that is made possible by coupling the two vehicles.
Flat towing is unique because it pulls a car allowing the tire to have its four tires roll on the road. You can also refer to flat towing as dinghy towing or four-wheel towing.
Flat towing involved pulling a car with four wheels on the road, rolling alongside the power source. It is also called the Four-wheel towing, which self- explanatory.
It is not a good or recommended technique for any car, and you should avoid it for vehicles in that category.
Can You Tow A Hyundai Santa Fe Behind A Motorhome?
If there’s any way you can do that without having its wheels rolling on the ground, then that will not be flat towing, not at all.
Therefore, be aware that the Hyundai Santa Fe cannot be flat towed behind a Motorhome.
Interestingly, vehicles that the motorhome cannot tow in some cases tend to flat tow the motorhome.
For example, the 5000 lbs towing capacity Hyundai Kona can tow the motorhome behind it, and so do other vehicles.
Can You Tow A Hyundai Santa Fe On A Tow Dolly?
If you were unsure about towing your Hyundai Santa Fe on a tow Dolly, then you’ll be sure to leave this place with your doubts cleared because the tow dolly is even a better and more secure way than the normal flat-towing.
In addition, it is easier to move with dollies than other power sources like the trailers and the rest.
Of course, you can tow a Hyundai Santa Fe on a tow dolly, the Dolly is positioned under the front wheels of the Santa Fe and towed whenever there’s a breakdown, or the vehicle wheels are damaged.
Using a towing dolly is to reduce the risk of damaging your car since it is the best alternative to Flat towing.
How To Flat Tow A Vehicle?
As earlier mentioned, you need instruments to flat-tow a vehicle, and until these instruments are readily available, the idea of flat towing your car might remain a desire.
You might necessarily need the equipment to tow Hyundai Santa, you won’t need it to haul Hyundai Elantra, but to Flat tow, any of the mentioned, be sure to use the equipment.
For any flat towed Hyundai model, you will use the following instruments; Tow bar, Baseplate, RV hitch, Dinghy towing harness, Brake system, and Tabs and safety cables.
#1. Pick A Tow Bar
A tow bar is equipment that provides a strong connection between the power source and the dinghy vehicle. It offers a secure connection of two arms, the dinghy, and the pivot.
The dinghy attached to the dinghy tow bar will provide a secure connection between both vehicles.
You must select the correct tow bar because they vary in style, size, and weight capacity.
They also vary in how easy they can be; some tow bars use a standard receiver shank, while others use a simple coupler fixed on a trailer ball.
#2. Pick A Tow bar Baseplate
Ensure to select a tow bar base plate that matches your tow bar. It can be a unique one.
You can attach some tow bars with general bolt brackets. However, it’s preferable to use the custom base plate.
Pick a base plate that matches your specific tow bar and automobile. Some tow bars are fixed to the vehicle with universal base sheets, but the better method is a custom base plate.
#3. Choose An RV Hitch & Adapter
A receiver hitch is needed before flat towing can begin. The receiver’s height should be between 3 inches of the height of the tow bar base plate.
#4. Find A Dinghy Towing Harness
Here it means it goes beyond connecting to the RV, be sure also to have an electrical connection. The lights ought to synchronize with the RV lights for safe driving.
#5. Have Interest In The Braking System
I recommend you have an auxiliary braking system. In the case of most dollies, they come with inbuilt brake systems.
However, in flat towing, an onboard vehicle braking system is recommended.
Depending on the RV’s brakes may not help you as the weight of the flat towing vehicle can overpower it. However, auxiliary brakes can be of great help to the RV.
#6. You Should Add Tow Bar Accessories
At this juncture, you’re about to finalize the flat towing process, and you might need additional RV car towing equipment.
Most of the accessories come alongside tow bars, but ensure to have them readily available before towing.
#7. Attachment Tabs
It would be best if you had attachment tabs to attach the tow bar properly to the vehicle to be flat towed.
The attachment tabs are simply key-style metal tabs that you insert into the provided base plate receivers, which provide link points for the arm linchpins.
#8. Safety cables
You will surely need safety cables for this exercise. The safety cables serve as hitches in loops to stop both parties from separating or disconnecting completely.
#9. Tow bar locks
Tow bar locks enhance more security than any other option. Therefore, you should replace the hitch pins of your tow bar with the hitch locks.
Final Thought
Flat towing provides a standard way of conveying damaged or broken vehicles to different locations, either repairing them, selling them out, or even disposing of them.
However, flat towing other vehicles might leave you with a choice nearer to disposing of your vehicle.
Not every car should be flat towed. Therefore, the Hyundai Santa Fe should by no means be flat towed.
