Towing parts for Canadian Tellurides

[VinceB]

I’m the newly owner (ordered not yet received) of a 2021 Telluride SX without the optional tow package. I've just received the Curt hitch C13420 and we already have an electric brake control like the Tekonsha Primus IQ model. In Kia's guidebook for the Telluride, it is written it comes with "trailer lightning pre-wiring". My question : what do I need to complete my tow package to use the electric brakes on the rv?

 

[2020Telly]

I’m the newly owner (ordered not yet received) of a 2021 Telluride SX without the optional tow package. I've just received the Curt hitch C13420 and we already have an electric brake control like the Tekonsha Primus IQ model. In Kia's guidebook for the Telluride, it is written it comes with "trailer lightning pre-wiring". My question : what do I need to complete my tow package to use the electric brakes on the rv?

You will need the 7-pin harness which comes with two wires. One connects behind the left quarter panel and the other plugs in at your cabin below the steering wheel to wire up your brake controller. Then you need something to mount the 7-pin connector at the Curt Hitch.

S9F67-AC501 - Tow Hitch Harness 7 Pin Kia.Parts Store

Save When You Order Your Kia Tow Hitch Harness 7 Pin # s9f67ac501 For Your

www.kia.parts

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-58000-Easy-Mount-Electrical-Bracket/dp/B00B81772Y/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=7-pin+mount&qid=1618597984&sr=8-4

 

[VinceB]

You will need the 7-pin harness which comes with two wires. One connects behind the left quarter panel and the other plugs in at your cabin below the steering wheel to wire up your brake controller. Then you need something to mount the 7-pin connector at the Curt Hitch.

S9F67-AC501 - Tow Hitch Harness 7 Pin Kia.Parts Store

Save When You Order Your Kia Tow Hitch Harness 7 Pin # s9f67ac501 For Your

www.kia.parts

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-58000-Easy-Mount-Electrical-Bracket/dp/B00B81772Y/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=7-pin+mount&qid=1618597984&sr=8-4

That’s pretty useful. I've watch multiple videos on how to install a 7-pin harness on a Telluride or a Palisade and it seems that you have to run a cable from the back to the batter. I've seen one where you have to drill through the firewall to connect the brake controller...? The fact is I'm not the one who will install the tow package, my neighbour is (he is a mechanic though). I just want to know what kind of trouble we are getting ourselves at. And having that in mind, even though we are planning to re-use the wired brake controller we already have, would it be less troublesome to get a wireless brake controller? Thanks for your input, it is very appreciated.

 

[Wiluride]

That’s pretty useful. I've watch multiple videos on how to install a 7-pin harness on a Telluride or a Palisade and it seems that you have to run a cable from the back to the batter. I've seen one where you have to drill through the firewall to connect the brake controller...? The fact is I'm not the one who will install the tow package, my neighbour is (he is a mechanic though). I just want to know what kind of trouble we are getting ourselves at. And having that in mind, even though we are planning to re-use the wired brake controller we already have, would it be less troublesome to get a wireless brake controller? Thanks for your input, it is very appreciated.

If your Telluride is a 2021, you don't need to run no wires through the firewall or make any special connections to the battery. The 2021 models have trailer wiring built into the main vehicle wiring harness...

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[VinceB]

If your Telluride is a 2021, you don't need to run no wires through the firewall or make any special connections to the battery. The 2021 models have trailer wiring built into the main vehicle wiring harness...

With the first answer ("two wires") and yours and looking at the linked thread, I think I understand the setup...

2021 7-pin harness

I just picked up my 2021 last week. I presume all the tow bars for the 2020 work (manufacturers say they will). The 2021s supposedly are prewired for a 7-pin so I figured I might as well install a 7-pin harness. Mostly I’ll be towing a small 4-pin utility trailer but I have aspirations to tow...

www.palisadeforum.com

 

[Wiluride]

With the first answer ("two wires") and yours and looking at the linked thread, I think I understand the setup...

2021 7-pin harness

I just picked up my 2021 last week. I presume all the tow bars for the 2020 work (manufacturers say they will). The 2021s supposedly are prewired for a 7-pin so I figured I might as well install a 7-pin harness. Mostly I’ll be towing a small 4-pin utility trailer but I have aspirations to tow...

www.palisadeforum.com

So, in the Palisade thread it seems that they built that 2021 without the 7-pin harness from the factory. My Telluride S AWD didn't have the factory hitch or any harness. I bought my hitch, harness, and bumper cover , from a USA online parts retailer... I installed it all myself in about 3 or 4 hours ( I took my time, making sure I didn't make any mistakes)

I can't say with 100% certainty that all Telluride 2021 models with factory installed hitch came with the 7-pin wiring , but I would be truly amazed if anything recently built doesn't have it. Kia wouldn't make sense to be having multiple wiring systems on the assembly line.

 

[VinceB]

So, in the Palisade thread it seems that they built that 2021 without the 7-pin harness from the factory. My Telluride S AWD didn't have the factory hitch or any harness. I bought my hitch, harness, and bumper cover , from a USA online parts retailer... I installed it all myself in about 3 or 4 hours ( I took my time, making sure I didn't make any mistakes)

I can't say with 100% certainty that all Telluride 2021 models with factory installed hitch came with the 7-pin wiring , but I would be truly amazed if anything recently built doesn't have it. Kia wouldn't make sense to be having multiple wiring systems on the assembly line.

In your setup, did you have to run a wire from the harness to the battery? Because you installed a 7-pin harness, using the 4-pin cable already on your Telluride, right?

 

[Wiluride]

In your setup, did you have to run a wire from the harness to the battery? Because you installed a 7-pin harness, using the 4-pin cable already on your Telluride, right?

No... in my Telluride there's a 4pin molex connection under the dash

And the 7-pin trailer harness in the back is 100% connected to the vehicle's primary wiring, ultimately connecting to the battery for auxiliary power ( fused in the fuse compartment under the hood) and also a wire that goes all the way to the 4 pin molex under the dashboard ( this wire is what's used to send power from the brake controller you unstable in the cabin to the electric brakes)

In other words... I didn't need to run any additional wires from the front of the Telluride to the back of it. All that is done using the main factory wiring...

If your Telluride has this 4 pin molex connector under your dashboard ( behind the fuse box) you don't need to run any extra wires from the front to the back, because they already ran them at the factory when they built the Telluride

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[VinceB]

No... in my Telluride there's a 4pin molex connection under the dash

And the 7-pin trailer harness in the back is 100% connected to the vehicle's primary wiring, ultimately connecting to the battery for auxiliary power ( fused in the fuse compartment under the hood) and also a wire that goes all the way to the 4 pin molex under the dashboard ( this wire is what's used to send power from the brake controller you unstable in the cabin to the electric brakes)

In other words... I didn't need to run any additional wires from the front of the Telluride to the back of it. All that is done using the main factory wiring...

If your Telluride has this 4 pin molex connector under your dashboard ( behind the fuse box) you don't need to run any extra wires from the front to the back, because they already ran them at the factory when they built the Telluride

Thanks, that's pretty clear and I'm glad to read that. So as stated by 2020Telly, all that is needed is the 7-pin harness, the wire for the brake controler and the mount bracket. Can you tell me if you got the Kia's harness kit or which one if not?

 

[Wiluride]

Thanks, that's pretty clear and I'm glad to read that. So as stated by 2020Telly, all that is needed is the 7-pin harness, the wire for the brake controler and the mount bracket. Can you tell me if you got the Kia's harness kit or which one if not?

Yes, I bought and used the Kia 7-pin trailer harness, part number S9F67-AC500. As far as I know, that is the only trailer harness that will make full use of the factory wiring that runs from the back to the front.

I don't know of any 3rd party harness that does the same thing, they might exist but I don't know of any at this time.

The Kia harness seems expensive, I was a little surprised at its cost. However after getting it I'm very happy with it. It fits extremely well and seems to be constructed very well.

 

[dansta]

Hey gents, since we are talking towing at the moment, I paid for the tow package with my 2021 but only have the four pin connector and hitch.

if I am planning only to tow a U haul utility trailer for a yard top dressing or a half yard of river rock, should I be ok? Won’t be driving a far distance either, just my first time really towing anything.

 

[Wiluride]

Hey gents, since we are talking towing at the moment, I paid for the tow package with my 2021 but only have the four pin connector and hitch.

if I am planning only to tow a U haul utility trailer for a yard top dressing or a half yard of river rock, should I be ok? Won’t be driving a far distance either, just my first time really towing anything.

Interesting that your 2021 didn't come with 7-pin harness. I wonder if the connector under the dash is there or not.

Meanwhile as I understand it, U-haul use surge brakes on their trailers that have brakes on them and 7-pin harness isn't necessary... but it's probably best to call them and ask.

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[VinceB]

Hey gents, since we are talking towing at the moment, I paid for the tow package with my 2021 but only have the four pin connector and hitch.

if I am planning only to tow a U haul utility trailer for a yard top dressing or a half yard of river rock, should I be ok? Won’t be driving a far distance either, just my first time really towing anything.

I think that what you got is everything showed here : 2020-2021 Kia Telluride Hitch Kit (AA023)

If you need or want to tow a trailer with electric breaks, you need another wire than the one that came with your package. That would be the S9F67-AC500. This one has a 7-pin connector, plus it comes with another small wire to install the brake module under the dash, plugging it to a connector near the fuse box, under the steering wheel. I read somewhere that you could get it for free by asking your dealer, since you bought the tow package and only got the 4-pin wire.

--> For those who didn't buy the tow package, my (Canadian) dealer confirmed with me today that they have the S9F67-AC500 available for 140$ (Canadian), which is very, very good news...!

If you don't plan on towing a large camping trailer (for example), but only a small trailer to carry stuff, you might not need electric brakes, just wanting the lights on your trailer to work. For that, the 4-pin wire that you got with your tow package should do the job.

 

[2020Telly]

Since the US Tellurides now have the 7-pin perhaps there is an excess of inventory on the Kia 4-pin harness and maybe that’s why it is still being tossed into the Canadian tow package / option. The higher price and lower amperage rating makes the aftermarket options look much better. The Kia 4-pin harness is rated for 5A and costs over $100 USD, but the two aftermarket ones for ~$40 USD are rated for 7.5A. Relative the US the sales numbers are much lower in Canada so this could be an easy way to use up the 4-pin by not offering the 7-pin. 2021 Kia Telluride Sales Figures. Sales in Canada dropped from 2019 to 2020, but it looks like they are picking up steam in 2021 Q1.

 

[dansta]

Interesting that your 2021 didn't come with 7-pin harness. I wonder if the connector under the dash is there or not.

Meanwhile as I understand it, U-haul use surge brakes on their trailers that have brakes on them and 7-pin harness isn't necessary... but it's probably best to call them and ask.

Yea when I picked up my Telluride in December 2020, I didn't really take a look at what was installed but you are correct, that package is exactly what I got. The only thing with the U Haul literature that I can see, is the surge brakes may only be on the bigger trailers. I may just be overthinking things.

I think that what you got is everything showed here : 2020-2021 Kia Telluride Hitch Kit (AA023)

If you need or want to tow a trailer with electric breaks, you need another wire than the one that came with your package. That would be the S9F67-AC500. This one has a 7-pin connector, plus it comes with another small wire to install the brake module under the dash, plugging it to a connector near the fuse box, under the steering wheel. I read somewhere that you could get it for free by asking your dealer, since you bought the tow package and only got the 4-pin wire.

--> For those who didn't buy the tow package, my (Canadian) dealer confirmed with me today that they have the S9F67-AC500 available for 140$ (Canadian), which is very, very good news...!

If you don't plan on towing a large camping trailer (for example), but only a small trailer to carry stuff, you might not need electric brakes, just wanting the lights on your trailer to work. For that, the 4-pin wire that you got with your tow package should do the job.

Yea no big items for me, the hitch was only meant to have a utility trailer connected for lugging landscaping materials and taking items to the dump. My buddy keeps telling me it should be fine with the four pin but I am a little hesitant to just chance it.

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it.

 

[VinceB]

Yea when I picked up my Telluride in December 2020, I didn't really take a look at what was installed but you are correct, that package is exactly what I got. The only thing with the U Haul literature that I can see, is the surge brakes may only be on the bigger trailers. I may just be overthinking things.



Yea no big items for me, the hitch was only meant to have a utility trailer connected for lugging landscaping materials and taking items to the dump. My buddy keeps telling me it should be fine with the four pin but I am a little hesitant to just chance it.

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it.

If you don't have a 7-pin connector on the trailer, the 7-pin connector on your car is not very useful. You will be able to use it with a trailer equipped with a 4-pin connector, but then you'll have to buy a 7-pin to 4-pin adaptor (20$ or so).

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[2020Telly]

If you don't have a 7-pin connector on the trailer, the 7-pin connector on your car is not very useful. You will be able to use it with a trailer equipped with a 4-pin connector, but then you'll have to buy a 7-pin to 4-pin adaptor (20$ or so).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082VV29H...olid=3HM2G7FEHQTV7&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it Something like this might be available locally and will give you 4-pin flat or 5-pin flat to plug into your 7-pin round.

 

[GreatWhiteNorth]

I think that what you got is everything showed here : 2020-2021 Kia Telluride Hitch Kit (AA023)

If you need or want to tow a trailer with electric breaks, you need another wire than the one that came with your package. That would be the S9F67-AC500. This one has a 7-pin connector, plus it comes with another small wire to install the brake module under the dash, plugging it to a connector near the fuse box, under the steering wheel. I read somewhere that you could get it for free by asking your dealer, since you bought the tow package and only got the 4-pin wire.

--> For those who didn't buy the tow package, my (Canadian) dealer confirmed with me today that they have the S9F67-AC500 available for 140$ (Canadian), which is very, very good news...!

If you don't plan on towing a large camping trailer (for example), but only a small trailer to carry stuff, you might not need electric brakes, just wanting the lights on your trailer to work. For that, the 4-pin wire that you got with your tow package should do the job.

Thanks. What dealer said they had it in Canada? I would like to order one. Durham Kia told me they are not available through Kia Canada and no ETA. Thanks.

 

[VinceB]

Thanks. What dealer said they had it in Canada? I would like to order one. Durham Kia told me they are not available through Kia Canada and no ETA. Thanks.

It’s Kia Sherbrooke, in Quebec.

 

[GreatWhiteNorth]

It’s Kia Sherbrooke, in Quebec.

Thanks.