R-Spec as a travel car - Cargo questions, rack or trailer?

[hakwuzhere]

So, the wife and I are heading on vacation to her family in Michigan next week and she wants to haul an antique steamer trunk and some chairs back.

Trying to choose between doing a roof rack with a cargo basket, or having a hitch installed and doing a small uhaul trailer.

I have already had the Rspec into the dealer once for hard downshifts and would be concerned doing anything that could mess up future warranty issues with the transmission. I know the manual says that towing isnt recomended, but does that mean that I would have issues if I did have a hitch installed?

Also, anyone have a hitch on an Rspec, do you have to drop the bumper or just the muffler to have it installed?... How easy would it be to remove after installation?

Here is the hitch I am considering...

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Hyundai/Genesis/2012/36486.html?vehicleid=2012208569

And the roof rack and basket..

http://www.etrailer.com/multi-produ...&hunter=roof&roofkit=1B,3,4,M,7,8,9&manuf=TRS

http://www.etrailer.com/Roof-Cargo-Carrier/Curt/C18115.html

 

[EXBMWGUY]

If it was me, I'd probably rent a minivan through Hotwire. Depends, of course on distance/budget. My $.02 worth.

 

[hakwuzhere]

Its a 500 mile trip.... we do have a small SUV(2011 GMC Terrain), but with all of our stuff and the dog we would still need to put a rack on it or a hitch, and the 4cyl engine already struggles on highway MPG..

 

[homeofstone]

Neither is a good idea. How about taking both cars? The extra gas cannot be as much as a trailer, hitch etc, not to mention the possible damage to car.

 

[Mark_888]

It seems highly unlikely to me that the R-Spec would have a problem with a small U Haul trailer. I personally would not put something on my roof.

 

[SmoovC]

I would try to bail out on a trip to see her family....

 

[upsbroke]

Won't a minivan work? Last summer I needed one- so I went to Kayak and got all the various site's best prices. Then I went to Priceline and offered $16 a day including free mileage and they accepted it.

 

[kev4]

Rent a Van. Don't take the chance of damage to the genesis.

 

[Gunkk]

For the money spent on a hitch or rack, you can rent a van.

 

[hakwuzhere]

These responses are disappointing.. I didnt buy a value full size touring sedan to not go touring in it.... How would a minivan handle the smart cruise control, or the passing at speed with power between 80-100mph...

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[dg_moore]

These responses are disappointing.. I didnt buy a value full size touring sedan to not go touring in it.... How would a minivan handle the smart cruise control, or the passing at speed with power between 80-100mph...

Well, there's touring and there's touring. For me, touring is throwing a couple of suitcases in back and driving someplace for pleasure. It is not hauling furniture and steamer trunks. I agree with those who advise renting a minivan. Your proposed trip doesn't sound like a 'tour' to me - it sounds like a cargo delivery.

 

[msitter]

I have that exact trailer hitch. Easy to install but need to drop the rear mufflers for easier access. Just loosen the mounts and let them drop onto a support a few inches down. I have pulled a 5x8 flat bed trailer all over the country with my 800# motorcycle on it with no problems. The trans stays in high gear on all but the most steep inclines. The only negative I have found is the rear departure angle is reduced and you have to be careful when going over steep curbs and driveways as the hitch will rub on the ground. So far after two years I have had zero problems. The wiring harness available from that place is also easy to install and hides in the trunk when not in use. I have never been a fan of roof racks on cars for anything heavier than snow skis or bicycles. Remember, the Kia Borrego with a similar powertrain was rated to tow several thousand pounds with no difficulty.

 

[hakwuzhere]

Msitter, have you had any issue with the dealer questioning the hitch on the car when you have taken it in for service?

 

[msitter]

Msitter, have you had any issue with the dealer questioning the hitch on the car when you have taken it in for service?

Never and I have all my servicing done at the dealer. I would caution however about the 80-100 mph speeds with a trailer as it can get pretty squirrelly at those speeds. I got out of owning trucks so the hitch was pretty much necessary. I have pulled the bike out to Colorado several times now to no ill affect. I probably wouldn't pull a large travel trailer or a large boat but I have also pulled my 16.5 foot stern drive runabout while I still had it earlier in my Genesis ownership.

 

[scottdk]

Well, there's touring and there's touring. For me, touring is throwing a couple of suitcases in back and driving someplace for pleasure. It is not hauling furniture and steamer trunks. I agree with those who advise renting a minivan. Your proposed trip doesn't sound like a 'tour' to me - it sounds like a cargo delivery.

I'm going to go ahead and easily agree with Moore on this one. Well said.

 

[hakwuzhere]

Should have more carefully listed my itinerary...

Wife, dog and I will be driving 587mi to visit her family in Michigan.. let our dog go swimming in the lakes and generally relaxing for 4 days... then we drive home.

There are a few things at my wife's parents house that she wants for our house here and would like to figure out a way to get them back to our home in MD.

Add to that I like the idea of adding some travel utility to the Rspec, either through something like a Thule roof rack, or a hitch.

For me, I dont see buying a car like this as a compromise of uses, or at least I dont believe it should be. I know this isnt going to be an offroad vehicle or be making my monthly home depot trips... but Im also not going to drive nearly 600 miles in some crappy van/uhaul to go on vacation. I buy cars like this so I can enjoy my time in the car... I also drive about 500'ish miles a week for work... without something fun to drive around it would be a much less fun job.

 

[msitter]

Should have more carefully listed my itinerary...

Wife, dog and I will be driving 587mi to visit her family in Michigan.. let our dog go swimming in the lakes and generally relaxing for 4 days... then we drive home.

There are a few things at my wife's parents house that she wants for our house here and would like to figure out a way to get them back to our home in MD.

Add to that I like the idea of adding some travel utility to the Rspec, either through something like a Thule roof rack, or a hitch.

For me, I dont see buying a car like this as a compromise of uses, or at least I dont believe it should be. I know this isnt going to be an offroad vehicle or be making my monthly home depot trips... but Im also not going to drive nearly 600 miles in some crappy van/uhaul to go on vacation. I buy cars like this so I can enjoy my time in the car... I also drive about 500'ish miles a week for work... without something fun to drive around it would be a much less fun job.

For me, I had to have the utility to go to Home Depot, Lowes or the garden center to get supplies for the property. Heavy stuff I will still have delivered. The garden tractors need to go for repairs, we need fertilizer and mulch for the flower beds and the motorcycle hauling from S.C. to Colorado. I have found that because of our liability system in the US, car towing limits are restricted over other places in the world. BMW for instance does not recommend towing with the 3 series and forbids the factory hitch from being sold in the US. In Europe the 3 series is rated for 4000 lbs towing with what is essentially the same car sold here but with a smaller engine for Europe. I would not be concerned with towing no more than 2000 lbs with a V8 Genesis on a limited basis. The brakes, powertrain and chassis are certainly robust enough to handle the extra load.

 

[Jbo]

I'd check the rental price and then check with UPS or a commercial shipper. My guess is you'll find them close, then have them shipped.

 

[Jimmmmbo!]

Strange. The OP wants an opinion on using the G to tow. Is it really that hard to just answer his question directly (if you have experience) instead of saying "just rent a minivan"?

(Kudos to msitter.)

There's not much doubt that Hyundai is protecting their interests by stating that they don't recommend towing. Which means they "could" invalidate warranty coverage if you have a hitch and the H garage sees it and says "You abused the car." That's just a risk you have to take.

I wanted to put a hitch on my '12 to just cart bicycles easily. But it is always a reasonable consideration to think that others will think that you've been towing. So far, I havent done it. Part of that is because, at least on the '12, there's a lot of undercarriage "accoutrements" to aid airflow that get in the way of installing a hitch. So I haven't done it.

hakwuzhere: I wish I could help you out. IMHO, I think this one is up to you. The engine is more than capable. The considerations are the transmission and the chassis. If you keep the weight down, the risk of damaging your G is obviously reduced, but there is no guarantee.

 

[gameday22]

I haven't put a hitch on mine but did see one in the Orlando FL area towing a small u-haul box behind it, the rear of the car was sitting a bit low for my liking but no clue how much weight they had in it. The back seat of the car was empty and 2 passengers in the front. If hauling that much stuff back from where your visiting I'd consider a small rental SUV for a day or two vs. risking potential damage to my Genny.