Kia Soul- To tow or not to tow!?

[StacyJayT]

It seems that more and more car models are being taken of the list of tow vehicles. I want to purchase a Kia Soul and found this article, although everything else says it's not considered a tow vehicle (evidently in the U.S.).

Kia Soul Wins 2010 Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Award - Kia Manufacturer News

This article states they can tow around 2800 lbs. I just wondered if any of you guys have a Soul and are towing? I will be towing around 1000 lbs.

I'm calling the Kia Consumer line tomorrow and have sent an email to the U.K. to the dealership of the article.

Thanks for your input!

Stacy

[Robin G]

Stacy, what does your owners manual say about towing? That is what you need to adhere to..... Look for the Tow Capacity in your manual.



You say your towing around 1000 pounds. What are you towing? Personally I would recommend weighing anything your towing to know exactly what your pulling weight wise..... Don't go by manufacture weights!

[StacyJayT]

Thanks! I have an Element, so doing fine now, but wanted to purchase a Soul. I'm told there is nothing about towing in the manual. I just sold my teardrop, so planning on getting a friends older Scamp. He said about 900 lbs. He's going to get it weighed. I looked up the 70's Scamps and they did mention the 900's. I think they weigh more now.

Thank you, again!

Stacy

[Francesca Knowles]

Hoo boy...I fear we're about to venture into the dread "European vs. American Tow limits" subject.

Quick, Stacy! Run for your life!

But before the excitement begins:

Do take Robin's advice to heart- what counts is what the manufacturer recommends for the model you buy in North America.

You might also visit the "Tow limits" page at the link in my signature below...if you have the weights etc. it's a pretty good "ballpark" tool.

I'm not associated with that site, by the way.

Good luck!

Francesca

[Byron Kinnaman]

Along with Robin and Francesca's comments you might want to look at "Trailer Weights in Real World" for actual trailer weights to get an idea what you can expect. Get the actual weight of the trailer you're going to be pulling then add a couple hundred pound for your stuff. I think you'll be surprised.

[StacyJayT]

Bummer! You guys aren't giving me the responses I want!

OK- Guess my old Element is going to keep on working (108,000 miles). Needs a brake job and the oil and transmission changed- then keep on trucking.

Thank you for your repsonses!

[Glenn Baglo]

There's a free pre-crushed Boler just a couple threads down..

[Andrew Gibbens]

And please read the article where it says a ball weight of 52kg. That's 115 lb, so at North American hitch weight percentages that only corresponds to a trailer weight of 1000 lb or so.

[cpaharley2008]

I had a Kia soul and it could hardly keep get out of it's own shadow. Very poor handling and when a truck went by, it sucked you over, very light and underpowered. Got rid of it after 12,000 miles and got a Mazda3. Neither of these vehicles can tow.
You need to be cautious with some of these articles, perhaps research may reveal that Kia is somewhat affiliated with these public announcements, like tooting your own horn.
It is not uncommon for manufacturers trying to create a demand for their product with bogus public releases of information or via a third party advertisement. I worked on these "pump and dump" schemes and if it sounds too good, it normally isn't good.

[Steve_N_Janna]

Originally Posted by StacyJayT

Guess my old Element is going to keep on working (108,000 miles). Needs a brake job and the oil and transmission changed- then keep on trucking.

I've logged 120 thousand on my 2004 Element (manual transmission) and have towed my 1700 lbs home built Scotty probably close to 10 thousand.

My plan is to roll over at least 200 thousand before I even think about replacing it. They're a great little van.

[StacyJayT]

OK- I guess I give! Haven't heard from Kia. My Element is at 108,000 with no issues ever. I wish they still made them and I'de get another one.
Thank you for all the replies- other than the Boler one- not sure how to take that one! LOL!

Hope to run in to some of you some day!

Stacy

[StacyJayT]

Steve, You have an Element and a 13' Scamp? So, all is good? Wonderful to hear. Thank you for the response. Mine is a 2005, so similar.

[Mike Magee]

The way they build motor vehicles nowadays, with normal maintenance most should be able to surpass a quarter million miles IMO. And Hondas are better built than the typical vehicle, to boot. So don't be afraid to run that Element for several more years, and use the money you save to get yourself a nice trailer.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by StacyJayT

OK- I guess I give! Haven't heard from Kia. My Element is at 108,000 with no issues ever. I wish they still made them and I'de get another one.
Thank you for all the replies- other than the Boler one- not sure how to take that one! LOL!

Hope to run in to some of you some day!

Stacy

At 108,000 miles, your Element is beyond significant resale value. If you have taken reasonable care of it and you like it, then keep it!
Make all necessary repairs and malntenance, then enjoy getting the value from it. It is cheaper to to keep'er.
Take the "down payment money" that you were going to spend on a new one and put it away for eventualities.

My Ranger is a 2001 with only 150,000 miles on it. I can't replace it, and there is nothing new on the market which I can trust as much.
We towed our Scamp to Bemidji this summer with it (1800 miles) and consider it fit for the trip to Florida in February (2400 miles)
Another ten years without payments should pay for any eventualities.

As far as what a "typical vehicle" is... nothing could be more mechanically "typical" than the Element, which CAN be a good thing when the "eventualities" occur.

[Francesca Knowles]

Times ten on keeping your proven-performance rig...
As for the miles:

I've towed over 40,000 miles with my '97 Kia Sportage and the total miles are now approaching 180,000....it's still going strong without any problems. No plans to replace 'til it shivers apart like The Wonderful One-Hoss Shay

Better the devil you know!

Francesca

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Times ten on keeping your proven-performance rig...
As for the miles:

I've towed over 40,000 miles with my '97 Kia Sportage and the total miles are now approaching 180,000....it's still going strong without any problems. No plans to replace 'til it shivers apart like The Wonderful One-Hoss Shay

Better the devil you know!

Francesca

Thanks for the link, it was delightful!


""""" A Mechanical Perspective"""""

I've turned wrenches for work and for play,
From when I was young 'til this very day.
I pushed and I tugged and practiced my art,
But everything eventually falls apart!

To some this is sad and leaves them dismayed,
To me it just meant that I would get paid.
And so goes the point of my little thesis,
It's a good thing to some that stuff falls to pieces!

As time fades paint and wrinkles grace faces,
Things are soon gone with barest of traces.
Old stuff and Grampas move out of the way,
The new and the young must have their day!

It may seem to some a bit unfair,
That all things succumb to wear and to tear.
But a promise was said and the sacrifice paid,
from He who was Maker to him who was made!

Floyd

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by floyd

Thanks for the link, it was delightful!


""""" A Mechanical Perspective"""""

I've turned wrenches for work and for play,
From when I was young 'til this very day.
I pushed and I tugged and practiced my art,
But everything eventually falls apart!

To some this is sad and leaves them dismayed,
To me it just meant that I would get paid.
And so goes the point of my little thesis,
It's a good thing to some that stuff falls to pieces!

Floyd

Love it! I'm sending that to my hubby...

I think I told you a long time ago, Floyd, but I'll say it again: You're a for-sure poet, you "dancing outside the trailer" son-of-a-gun, you!

Francesca

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by StacyJayT

OK- I guess I give! Haven't heard from Kia. My Element is at 108,000 with no issues ever. I wish they still made them and I'de get another one.
Thank you for all the replies- other than the Boler one- not sure how to take that one! LOL!

Hope to run in to some of you some day!

Stacy

108K miles Almost broken in with another 108 to Go!

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Love it! I'm sending that to my hubby...

I think I told you a long time ago, Floyd, but I'll say it again: You're a for-sure poet, you "dancing outside the trailer" son-of-a-gun, you!

Francesca

Thanks for the accolades, since your response I added two more verses, hope you enjoy them!

[BigLew]

Is very HIGH, but I would never trade it for a Soul, never.
That Honda has a long way to go before it's finished. I love those things.
Pull the Element up along side that Soul and take a good look. You have so much room in them, they run great, their resale is great, the interior is so simple to clean, etc.
Just my 2 cents.
Lew