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Topic: kia sorento titan not ideal tow car

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simonpaula

04/9/2015 at 10:15am
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we have just bought a kia sorento titan 2009 plate.
we had a kia sorento xs 2004.! this car was the best tow car ive ever had..!! and ive tried lots of different vehicles trailers etc...
BUT!!!
the titan is a completley different car! i say car as its set up like a car with a 4x4 body on top!! which is why when i connect my bailey olympus 5/30 to it, it sags on the rear end! NOTE THE CARAVAN AND CAR IS EMPTY!! i have spoke to kia and lots of different people about this problem and the only thing i can do now is change the coil springs on the rear end which i will be doing asap!! this should not have to be done and kia should be offering me a kia upgrade solution, NOT telling me, it is what it is and shrug the shoulders!!!!!!. the titan is also very under powered in the lower gears and not a touch on power as my older sorento unfortuatly this according to reviews and forms is the way manufactures seem to be heading towards in the future 4x4 market, building more 4x4 vehicles on a car basis set up, kia!! told me this is what its future customers whant!!????
so for towing guys, unless you willing to upgrade your suspention,then dont by the titan in the sorento range for towing, i so miss our older 2004 manual sorento xs!!!! best tow car ever....PS the springs im going to purchase are MAD coil springs (look these up...)

JuanHuNose

04/9/2015 at 10:30am
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Lots of cars need suspension aids when a van is hitched up (just look at the state of some of the outfits you see on the motorways), but very few get them.

I don`t understand why you should expect Kia to upgrade your car when it`s six years old! If it was brand new you might stand a (slim) chance of a consideration, but after someone else has used it for six years - not a snowballs chance.

MAD springs are excellent, I`ve used them on numerous cars in the past and they absolutely transformed the cars they were used on and worth every penny.

clbewi

04/9/2015 at 11:35am
Location: Essex
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I tow with a 11 plate Sorento a 2.2 auto. I to a swift conquered twin axle and it's fine.
As said above why do you expect Kia to sort it? What do you know of its history it is six years old.

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Claire and Colin

billy

04/9/2015 at 12:13pm
Location: North Essex
Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400

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Have you checked the noseweight of you caravan? It could be excesssive if caravan is empty with no load further back.

664DaveS

04/9/2015 at 4:15pm
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75

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We had a 2009 Titan 5 speed manual,it was a very good towcar.
The rear suspension did not drop much and with 168 bhp it had plenty of power. This was the old model with low range and separate chassis 2.5 litre.
We now have a 2012 model which is lighter being unitary construction.
This has the 2.2 litre motor and 6 speed manual transmission.
With 185 bhp it is a very good towcar, the suspension does not drop much with tthe van on.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!

ENOCH

05/9/2015 at 6:39am
Location: TEESSIDE
Outfit: SWIFT FAIRWAY 530

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We had an Hyundai Santa Fe (11 plate) that became really low at the back when the van was hitched, upgraded to MAD springs no further problems. We have just purchased a Sorento (14 plate) towed with it twice and no problems with sagging suspension.

vespa 494

06/9/2015 at 1:07pm
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I dont think it has anything to do with it being a Titan, we have a 150bhp Titan Sportage, it doesnt drop the back end with the van on, maybe your rear shocks are shot.

664DaveS

06/9/2015 at 5:20pm
Location: Shropshire
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I agree, or it has been towing heavy loads or had a lot of weight in the back.
New springs and shocks might be required.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!

Skoda Bob

07/9/2015 at 8:52am
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As above but check the nose weight, it could actually be a lot lower than your old tug

Baileyjake

07/9/2015 at 9:25am
Location: West Midlands
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I fitted MAD assistors springs on my 2011 outlander. They are good when towing or carrying heavy loads but are noticeable when solo. Not a huge problem but if I knew I wasn't going to tow again I would take them out. It seems all cars are getting lighter with smaller swept volume engines to Lower the taxation class. Especially important to company car buyers. See the x trail for example or the new outlander. No good for us caravanners!

birdman101

07/9/2015 at 11:14am
Location: Milton Keynes
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Looks as though you have bought a problem motor which may of had a hard previous life towing heavy loads thus weakening rear suspension.I bought a Sorento new in 2004 and have only sold it this year.Power wise your previous motor was 138BHP the present one 168 BHP so power wise there should be no problem if engine has no problem.The previous one had self levelling suspension, your present one does not.I now have Santa fe 193BHP 5 seater which does no have self levelling but a lower towball loading.Keeping van nose-weight to the manufacturers figure rear end does not drop and tows no different to what the self levelling motor did only far more power.

spiritburner

07/9/2015 at 5:21pm
Location: NE England
Outfit: Citroen Dispatch Campervan plus tents

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Is there much of a hike in insurance premiums if the MAD assistors are fitted?

Skoda Bob

07/9/2015 at 7:09pm
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Quote: Originally posted by spiritburner on 07/9/2015Is there much of a hike in insurance premiums if the MAD assistors are fitted?

Your not making an alteration so why would you tell them, all they are is a more heavy duty springs.
just like fitting winter tyres you don't have to tell them

Skoda Bob

07/9/2015 at 7:10pm
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Did your old tug have leaf springs and the new one coil???
You could try another Kia dealer

spiritburner

07/9/2015 at 7:24pm
Location: NE England
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Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 07/9/2015

Quote: Originally posted by spiritburner on 07/9/2015Is there much of a hike in insurance premiums if the MAD assistors are fitted?

Your not making an alteration so why would you tell them, all they are is a more heavy duty springs.
just like fitting winter tyres you don't have to tell them

Some (most?)insurance companies require notification re winter tyres. I'm not saying it's not crazy. Had to when I fitted them to my Skoda Scout. If the springs are heavier duty they are an alteration. The Scout (& the earlier regular 4x4) used to suffer with 3 bikes on the towbar bike carrier & a boot full. I enquired a few years ago & there was a hike but I don't remember how much hence my question.

The current car copes much better but I was thinking it could do with some assistance.

spiritburner

07/9/2015 at 7:45pm
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Just as well I posted. It jogged my memory to notify insurance re towbar.

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