Towing with a 4 cyl car

[klingon20]

I tow a teardrop trailer with a hyundia elantra 2.0 with an automatic transmission.
When towing i usually change my oil at 2,000 miles, when there hasnt been any towinng im on a 5,000 mile OCI.

I do not run a transmission cooler and have not had any issues to date, the trailer weighs roughly 1,000 lbs

What are your thoughts?

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=26296

 

[Drew99GT]

That's a sweet trailor!

2,000 miles is a total waste for the oil. It can go at least 3,000. Do you really stress the engine - mountains, sustained high rpms etc.?

I would be more concerned about the transmission. I'd consider adding a cooler, and I'd for sure change the transmission fluid more often than normal.

:edit: 1,000 lbs is nothing - that'd be like towing my family.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Yeah I think you should be fine. I would, like Drew said, be more concerned about the transmission than the engine in this case. How often do you change the transmission fluid in your car? Personally what I would do, is switch to a high quality synthetic ATF and change the engine oil every 3-4k and call it good.

 

[Barkleymut]

As mentioned oil should be fine at 3-4 easily.

I did a lot of towing with a 1 ton truck - 7,000 lb trailer most of the time, checking the ATF frequently and changing out every 30K is very advisable.

But most importantly make sure those brakes have plenty of pad on them and that the rotors are good as well. While 1000 lbs may not sound like much it is. The ability to stop is much more important than the ability to go.

 

[globey]

klingon, sorry for the off topic post, but what kind of trailer is that? I'd be interested in something like that.

 

[JohnBrowning]

I also interested in the trailer!!! I too would be more concerned with the transmission fluid then engine oil. 2000 miles is an awful short run even towing that trailer.

 

[klingon20]

Thanks for all the replies, this Hyundia Elantra has a 4 speed auto transmission and its has SP1 synthetic fluid from the dealer. The trans had its first service at 24,000 miles, i am reluctant to put a trans cooler on for the mere fact that i am currently meeting all the requirments of my owners manual in regards to towing, i have been told by several dealers that once i install an aftermarket trannny cooler then it would void any warranty on the tranmsisson.
The trailer is a home built teardrop that was referenced from the Kenskill line, the 1948 Ford fenders and turn signal assy along with the chopped roof gives it a true vintage look.
I cannot take credit for building it but shure do enjoy it.

 

[Steelhead]

since you're still on Hyundia warranty, follow whatever they require for severe service which is what they will label towing as. keep receipts on oil and filter purchases. probably oil and filter changes every 2k or 3k miles.
i't probably only rated to tow 1,500 lbs

if you tow alot in hot summer temps and in mountain passes, when it's off warranty, definitely add an inline plate and fin cooler, the largest that will fit in front of the radiator. don't borrow with the tube and fin, too flow restrictive, lose more than you gain. also add an inline ATF filter such as Microfine.

the Teardrops are nice fun trailers, rugged and will go places the big monsters don't even dream of going. little wind resistance from small frontal area reducing tow load on the car.
good looking combination in the pic.