Trailer Package for 2017 Santa Fe

[djidjip]

I'm considering the purchase of a second hand Hyundai Santa Fe which was originally imported from Canada and is of a somewhat rare trim (at least for Europe) - the 2017-18 Sport 2.0T GDI AWD (240 hp).
The GVWR (car weight + passengers + luggage + trailer nose weight) stated on the door label is 2340kg.
I downloaded the owner's manual from Hyundai Canada and it quotes a maximum trailer weight of 750kg for unbraked trailers and 907kg for trailers with brake system w/out trailer package installed. The max trailer weight goes up to 1588kg with package installed.
Our caravan has 1300kg stamped on its label so this mysterious packages makes all the difference for me.
The car I'm looking at comes with a hitch receiver, a 4-pin US to 7-pn Euro conversion and a ball mount.
However, I found a discussion on eTrailer.com recommending an electric brake controller which is a completely new concept for me. Honestly I'm not even aware if my caravan's brake system can take advantage of such a controller.
So lots of questions:
- what did the 2017 Santa Fe trailer package include?
- is it safe to tow w/out an electric brake controller? I've been doing so for 10 years with a 2008 Sorento
- assuming my caravan only has a hydraulic brake, can I take advantage of an electronic brake controller ?
- do I actually need one?
Thanks in advance!

 

[otherclive]

I'm considering the purchase of a second hand Hyundai Santa Fe which was originally imported from Canada and is of a somewhat rare trim (at least for Europe) - the 2017-18 Sport 2.0T GDI AWD (240 hp).
The GVWR (car weight + passengers + luggage + trailer nose weight) stated on the door label is 2340kg.
I downloaded the owner's manual from Hyundai Canada and it quotes a maximum trailer weight of 750kg for unbraked trailers and 907kg for trailers with brake system w/out trailer package installed. The max trailer weight goes up to 1588kg with package installed.
Our caravan has 1300kg stamped on its label so this mysterious packages makes all the difference for me.
The car I'm looking at comes with a hitch receiver, a 4-pin US to 7-pn Euro conversion and a ball mount.
However, I found a discussion on eTrailer.com recommending an electric brake controller which is a completely new concept for me. Honestly I'm not even aware if my caravan's brake system can take advantage of such a controller.
So lots of questions:
- what did the 2017 Santa Fe trailer package include?
- is it safe to tow w/out an electric brake controller? I've been doing so for 10 years with a 2008 Sorento
- assuming my caravan only has a hydraulic brake, can I take advantage of an electronic brake controller ?
- do I actually need one?
Thanks in advance!

Will your insurer cover it at a non astronomical premium? Spares in UK could be an issue. I had a grey import Pajero but back then spares were widely available from specialist importers.

 

[Jcloughie]

If, and it is a big if. My understanding is correct, you will not need an electric braking system as your van will be equipped with overrun brakes full acceptable in this country. Therefore common sense tells me that looking at UK Santa Fe’s, your outfit will be more than capable.

But common sense is not enough. Somehow this will need to be authenticated. Thereby lies the problem.

John

 

[ProfJohnL]

The trailer package you mention would be for the Canadian and I presume the American market, where the trailers brakes are activated electronically.

Such electrical braking systems are not allowed in the UK and EU. Don't ask why because I don't know the reason for certain.

On the basis that you don't have diplomatic immunity, and if your imported vehicle will be used as a permanent vehicle in the UK, you will have to have certain changes made to the vehicle to make it compliant with UK regulations.

The standard trailer braking system in UK and EU is the overrun braking systems. these are usually cable operated.

The vehicles data plate may not comply with the UK's definitions, so it might not be allowed to tow, You definitely need to check out all the legalities,

 

[Jcloughie]

I'm considering the purchase of a second hand Hyundai Santa Fe which was originally imported from Canada and is of a somewhat rare trim (at least for Europe) - the 2017-18 Sport 2.0T GDI AWD (240 hp).
The GVWR (car weight + passengers + luggage + trailer nose weight) stated on the door label is 2340kg.
I downloaded the owner's manual from Hyundai Canada and it quotes a maximum trailer weight of 750kg for unbraked trailers and 907kg for trailers with brake system w/out trailer package installed. The max trailer weight goes up to 1588kg with package installed.
Our caravan has 1300kg stamped on its label so this mysterious packages makes all the difference for me.
The car I'm looking at comes with a hitch receiver, a 4-pin US to 7-pn Euro conversion and a ball mount.
However, I found a discussion on eTrailer.com recommending an electric brake controller which is a completely new concept for me. Honestly I'm not even aware if my caravan's brake system can take advantage of such a controller.
So lots of questions:
- what did the 2017 Santa Fe trailer package include?
- is it safe to tow w/out an electric brake controller? I've been doing so for 10 years with a 2008 Sorento
- assuming my caravan only has a hydraulic brake, can I take advantage of an electronic brake controller ?
- do I actually need one?
Thanks in advance!

I wonder if the specs were changed/updated as part of the import which is normally undertaken by a specialised company. Are you able to get in touch with them? Or ask the seller to see the import paperwork.

John

 

[Hutch]

I would not touch it with a Barge pole. The reasons being, on top of The Profs, very adequate points, the braking system is for hooking up to a towed car or trailer. Which if you are not buying this Santa Fe with either a suitable car/ trailer, what is the point.
A UK Santa Fe automatic can tow 2000kg and a Manual 2500 kg.
Which caravan are you thinking about with a hydraulic brakes, normally only Australian or New Zealand caravans, for very Off road travels.

 

[Mr Plodd]

As has been stated already, do your research in regards to insurance VERY thoroughly, and get a firm confirmation that any insurer will cover this particular individual vehicle as "Grey imports" can be exceedingly difficult to insure in the UK for tge reasons already given.

 

[djidjip]

Thanks for all your responses.
Apologies for not mentioning that I'm planning to drive the car in Bulgaria where I'm actually from, not in the UK.
The car was legally registered and I'm not expecting any legal challenges, I'm only concerned about the safety of towing a 1300kg caravan - a 2001 Dethleffs.
AndI was wrong when I wrote that my caravan's brake system is hydraulic, it is in fact inertia based - need to check the documentation for the particular Alco stabiliser.
Anyway, so much for Sunday evening googling.
I'm calling the local Hyundai dealer tomorrow and also a towbar fitting shop.

 

[Hutch]

I should have remembered where you were from from previous postings. 🤔
There is no reason you cannot tow your Delthclif with enertia brake.
Is the Santa Fe really cheap, the 2.0 litre model is not common in the UK, not sure about in Europe.

 

[djidjip]

I wouldn't say it's that cheap, but it's in a good condition and I do trust the current owner, which helps a lot.
Will check with Hyundai though.

 

[otherclive]

When I had the grey Mitsubishi import franchised dealerships didn’t want to know it. No help sourcing spares or carrying out work. So my local independent was used, but even they required me to source my own parts, even 95% were probably common to official imports.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Thanks for all your responses.
Apologies for not mentioning that I'm planning to drive the car in Bulgaria where I'm actually from, not in the UK.
The car was legally registered and I'm not expecting any legal challenges, I'm only concerned about the safety of towing a 1300kg caravan - a 2001 Dethleffs.
AndI was wrong when I wrote that my caravan's brake system is hydraulic, it is in fact inertia based - need to check the documentation for the particular Alco stabiliser.
Anyway, so much for Sunday evening googling.
I'm calling the local Hyundai dealer tomorrow and also a towbar fitting shop.

Thank you for the clarification of your location.

Each EU country still has certain autonomy over the vehicles it will allow to be registered in that country. I am not familiar with Bulgaria's idiosyncrasies, but they will very likely have some similarities with the UK becasue of EU membership. Consequently I still advise you to double check the vehicle has passed all admission requirements, and especially the vehicles legal towing permits.

 

[Lutz]

As Bulgaria is in the EU and the vehicle in question presumably doesn’t have EU type approval, the only way to make it legal is to get Bulgarian individual vehicle approval for it. That applies whether you intend to tow with it or not. You should contact the Bulgarian authorities how to go about it. I’m afraid that you won’t get much help here or in any other forum.

 

[Buckman]

I thought the EU standard was 13 pin and not 7 pin?

 

[Dustydog]

I thought the EU standard was 13 pin and not 7 pin?

Since 2008 all U.K. built caravans are fitted with the 13 pin which as you say was an EU standard.

 

[RogerL]

My recollection of Hyundai Santa Fe is that the "trailer preparation package" was an extra cost option in USA and Canada but standard fitment in the UK - the difference is that Santa Fe's for USA & Canada are built in USA while Santa Fe's for UK are built in South Korea - and built better in South Korea by all accounts..