Towing a FF 189FBS with 2011 Santa Fe SE AWD V-6

[montanacamper]

After researching several forums including one specific to towing with Santa Fes I went ahead and had mine set up to tow my FF 189FBS. As with all forums there are typically more negatives then positives but that is the nature of the beast. There are many concerns regarding towing with a unibody vehicle especially with a WDH but from what I found out the most important thing to consider is the hitch design specifically the mounting configuration. I had a hitch installed by u-hual and unlike the factory hitch which uses 2 predrilled holes several inches apart in the subframe, the u-haul hitch completely wraps the subframe and spaces the 4 bolts much farther apart then stock thus spreading out the torsional forces. Also Hyundi changed the exhaust to a single outlet which frees much more area for structural components.
I also found that while the Santa Fe is rated at 3500# in the US it is rated at 5000# in Europe where the gonverment tests and rates the vehicles by running them up a 10% grade at increasing weights until they get either engine or transmission strees indications so I felt the US ratings can be somewhat conservative probably to please the lawyers.
After the installation was complete I tested the rig out in some roads in western Montana including passes, interstate, and mountian logging roads.
The results were very satifactory and I had power to pass going up hill.
I realize that I am pushing the GVW so I will use the Santa Fe when traveling light, IE camping with hook-up. I will use my 3/4 pickup for boondocking or when I need to take the raft.