Santa Cruz trailer weight limits

The manual's "Reference weight and distance when towing a trailer" chart is headed "With trailer package" and splits the Santa Cruz by engine.

From the 2026 Santa Cruz owner's manual (NXT), "Reference weight and distance when towing a trailer", read October 28, 2026; its footnote says tongue weight should be between 10-15%. Hyundaiusa.com (October 28, 2026), 2027 Santa Cruz: towing capacities 3,500 lbs. standard / 5,000 lbs. available; towing capacity varies by configuration.

The maximum trailer weight includes the trailer, any cargo, and equipment or items attached to it. Hyundai adds that extra weight, cargo or accessories in the Santa Cruz reduce the maximum trailer weight and the matching tongue load limits, and that engine performance drops with altitude: from 0.6 mi. (1 km) above sea level, and for every 0.6 mi. (1 km) after that, deduct 10% of the vehicle/trailer weight. Before towing, the total trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue load must all be within the limits.

Tongue weight and weighing your rig

The manual explains that too much tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control, while too little can make the trailer unstable and sway because its weight shifts to the rear. With the trailer fully loaded, the tongue load measured at the hitch should be within 10-15% of the total trailer weight; the chart also caps tongue weight at 220 lbs. (100 kg), and the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) must never be exceeded.

Hyundai's public-scale method: fully load the truck and trailer, stay in the vehicle with your passengers, then measure (1) front gross axle weight, (2) gross vehicle weight, (3) rear gross axle weight, (4) gross combined weight, (5) hitched trailer weight and (6) unhitched trailer weight. Subtract (5) from (6) to get the tongue load. With no public scale nearby, add your estimated cargo weight to the trailer weight from its manufacturer and measure the tongue with a scale or tongue gauge.

Load about 60% of the trailer load in the front and about 40% in the rear, never more in the rear than the front. If the weights are off, moving items around inside the trailer can often fix them.

Using TOW mode

On a Santa Cruz equipped with TOW mode, switching it on changes the shifting pattern to suit heavy loads for smoother driving with a trailer. Press the Tow mode button to turn it on or off.

To set the weight of the trailer you are towing, put the gear in P (Park) and select Setup > Vehicle > Drive Mode > Tow Mode on the infotainment system.

Driver assistance features while towing

Keep your eyes on the road: the manual says that when a trailer is connected to the tow hitch harness installed on the truck, these functions turn off automatically: Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Lane Following Assist, Highway Driving Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.

The tow hitch harness must be a genuine Hyundai part. Hyundai also notes that a trailer or hitch mounted carrier may adversely affect the rear corner radar, and that if a trailer, carrier or other attachment is installed around the rear corner radar, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate properly or may operate unexpectedly.

Hitch and towing equipment

From the Trailer towing and Hitches sections of the 2026 Santa Cruz owner's manual (NXT), read October 28, 2026.

Safety chains, trailer brakes and lights

Always attach safety chains between the Santa Cruz and the trailer, following the hitch or trailer maker's instructions. Leave just enough slack to turn, and never let the chains drag on the ground.

Regulations may require a trailer to have its own brakes above certain loaded weights. Follow the trailer brake instructions for installation, adjustment and maintenance, and never tap into the truck's hydraulic braking system. Hyundai's warning: setting up trailer brakes is not a task for amateurs, so use an experienced, competent trailer shop.

Towing needs a different turn signal flasher and extra wiring. Do not connect the trailer lighting directly to the vehicle's lighting system; use an approved trailer wiring harness, and contact an authorized Hyundai dealer for help. The cluster arrows flash for turns even when trailer bulbs are burned out, so check the trailer lights every time you reconnect the wires.

Driving with a trailer

Maintenance when you tow

The manual says a Santa Cruz that regularly pulls a trailer needs servicing more often. Pay particular attention to automatic transmission fluid, axle lubricant, cooling system fluid and brake condition, review them before a trip, and check the transmission fluid more frequently when towing.

Maintain the trailer and hitch too: follow the trailer's maintenance schedule, check it at the start of each day's driving if you can, and keep every hitch nut and bolt tight. If the coolant gauge shows overheating on a hot day or a climb, switch off the air conditioner, stop in a safe area and let the engine idle to cool; do not switch the engine off while the gauge shows overheating.

For brake work before towing season, see our brake service page, or schedule service online.

Hyundai of Goshen service hours

From Hyundai of Goshen's website, October 28, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.