Got my VIN, but the car is missing the trailer hitch...

[eebling]

So I got confirmation that my car is almost ready and should be arriving in the next 2 weeks, but the vin on failcat showed no trailer hitch added to my S, emailed the dealership and got a response that yes that was my car and the factory didn't install it. I am guessing they ran out of trailer hitches and instead of holding the order, they just didn't install it and are sending it out.

I wouldn't mind but the dealership is now charging me more, originally quoted me an extra $612 extra ontop of the $475 from ordering the factory installed trailer hitch.! They said they would split the diff though for my troubles, so I still have to pay an extra $306 for just the trailer hitch, which puts me up at the price tag of the Tow Package( if I ordered an EX or above and had the option to add) for just a trailer hitch. I said whatever, Im slammed with work and in the process of moving so dont want have the time to get a trailer hitch and install it myself. But it still sucks they are going to charge anything extra, they already tacked on 3k over msrp for the "market adjustment"..!! At least I have my car coming. Finally test drove one for the first time a few days ago and it is so nice in the drivers seat.! haha

 

[JAM]

Yeah if they are charging you 3k over they could do it for you at cost. It’s not a hard job to do yourself if you are handy.

 

[eebling]

Yeah if they are charging you 3k over they could do it for you at cost. It’s not a hard job to do yourself if you are handy.

Yea, I was debating doing it, then see potential shortages of parts, and haven't had a day off in 6 straight weeks with work, and packing before and after work for a move... no time. Also need it on the car before the final move out of this city to tow one last trailer.! Haha, so I guess the comfort is knowing this is the last 300$ Delray Kia is getting outta me..... At least when I pick up the car it will be on and ready to go.

It would have been an extremely nice gesture to just say hey we are sorry for that, we will put it on for you at no extra charge since you did pay for it from the factory, but no dice... and the fact they have an extra 3k from the sale.

 

[shane_yank]

I know you said you don't have time to install your own hitch, but have you considered the Stealth Hitch? I opted for the SH over the factory hitch so I can have it hidden when not in use and always maintain the rear bumper trim.

With the necessary basic tools, I installed it on my own in a few hours. Fast, free shipping from eTrailer.

Stealth Hitches Hidden Rack Receiver

Stealth Hitches Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver w/ Towing Kit

I got the receiver only package because I don't intend to tow anytime soon, but I can add on the towing package from SH at any time.

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[eebling]

I know you said you don't have time to install your own hitch, but have you considered the Stealth Hitch? I opted for the SH over the factory hitch so I can have it hidden when not in use and always maintain the rear bumper trim.

With the necessary basic tools, I installed it on my own in a few hours. Fast, free shipping from eTrailer.

Stealth Hitches Hidden Rack Receiver

Stealth Hitches Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver w/ Towing Kit

I got the receiver only package because I don't intend to tow anytime soon, but I can add on the towing package from SH at any time.

I saw that in another post and it looked pretty cool, But I already told the dealership to go ahead with the install of the hitch. When I say I don't have the time to install it, I really don't. Averaging 80 hour work weeks for the last 6 weeks straight and it's not letting up anytime soon, while still trying to pack before, during, and after my shifts end, and will be getting the car and moving the day after it arrives and needing to tow the last trailer up.

I ordered the car with the tow hitch, so in the end, that is what I am getting, just for $306 more. It was interesting on that stealth hitch site, I think it mentioned a 600 pound tongue weight and 6k towing capacity but guessing you are still limited to the 5k max tow that the Telluride is rate for.? Or maybe I was looking at another tow option, been looking at too many specs over the last few months.!

 

[shane_yank]

I saw that in another post and it looked pretty cool, But I already told the dealership to go ahead with the install of the hitch. When I say I don't have the time to install it, I really don't. Averaging 80 hour work weeks for the last 6 weeks straight and it's not letting up anytime soon, while still trying to pack before, during, and after my shifts end, and will be getting the car and moving the day after it arrives and needing to tow the last trailer up.

I ordered the car with the tow hitch, so in the end, that is what I am getting, just for $306 more. It was interesting on that stealth hitch site, I think it mentioned a 600 pound tongue weight and 6k towing capacity but guessing you are still limited to the 5k max tow that the Telluride is rate for.? Or maybe I was looking at another tow option, been looking at too many specs over the last few months.!

Yeah, that sounds like a pain and gives you no room for error, such as realizing you don't have a 15/16" wrench, as happened in my case

And it really sucks that you are somehow paying more!

As for tow weight, I agree that you should follow the Kia guidelines of 5k max tow. The Stealth Hitch (and others) just happen to be manufactured well enough for a higher rating.

Perhaps you've already seen these helpful videos, but I'll share them in case you haven't and so others can find them too:

• 2022 Kia Telluride Towing Review: 5,000 Pound Test with U-Haul Trailer!
• F15 BMW X5 First Towing Experience (with Stealth Hitch)

 

[2020Telly]

@eebling $475 for the parts isn't unreasonable and $306 for installation is a little high but if you just want it done you will be fine on your new S. You are going to miss must by going up to the EX or S and adding the towing package. In fact if the upgraded shocks fail you the true cost of owning that package will be higher along with having to bump up trim levels. I have an S with the Tow Option and I added Air Lift Helper bags to added support for $115. There are other ways to stiffen the rear and get a level ride other than the self leveling package.

@shane_yank Thanks for sharing the links to those videos! I found the first one with the guy pulling the Jetta interesting. While he does a good job dispelling incorrect information, like the early reports of air suspension, he still missed on out clarifying the package vs option. The option being available on all trims and allowing you to get to the 5,000 lbs. He implied that the SAE test included the self leveling shocks and I don't know that they needed that to validate the tongue weight and max towing capacity otherwise the numbers would be different for the LX, S and tow option only EX and SX.

 

[eebling]

@eebling $475 for the parts isn't unreasonable and $306 for installation is a little high but if you just want it done you will be fine on your new S. You are going to miss must by going up to the EX or S and adding the towing package. In fact if the upgraded shocks fail you the true cost of owning that package will be higher along with having to bump up trim levels. I have an S with the Tow Option and I added Air Lift Helper bags to added support for $115. There are other ways to stiffen the rear and get a level ride other than the self leveling package.

@shane_yank Thanks for sharing the links to those videos! I found the first one with the guy pulling the Jetta interesting. While he does a good job dispelling incorrect information, like the early reports of air suspension, he still missed on out clarifying the package vs option. The option being available on all trims and allowing you to get to the 5,000 lbs. He implied that the SAE test included the self leveling shocks and I don't know that they needed that to validate the tongue weight and max towing capacity otherwise the numbers would be different for the LX, S and tow option only EX and SX.

Ah I will look into the air lift helpers. I shouldn't have to pay anything over the $475 that is already included in my order price since the factory was supposed to have installed the hitch for the $475 add on price. The dealerships charging me an extra 306$ installation is what is bugging me, it was supposed to come installed for $475. And the fact they add almost 3k to the price for the "market adjustment", they could have just said we will install it for free since the factory ran out and we will do something nice for you.! haha

But even with their market adjustment and them charging me 306$ extra, it is still the "best deal" I have seen in South Florida, which is sad, but it is the current state of buying a new car, so it is what it is. If I refuse to pay it, they will just say they will sell the car to someone else and there will be someone else within a day or two willing to pay it. So to get the car the way I want it, an extra $306 isn't going to make me say no deal.

They offer free oil changes for a year but I am moving 4 hours away from the dealership, so I am going to at least try to convince the salesman to throw in 2 free paper oil filters for the car, which cost like 7$ to order and probably costs the dealership a dollar each, if they will not give me 2$ of free items, then I will really be pissed.!

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[2020Telly]

Ah I will look into the air lift helpers. I shouldn't have to pay anything over the $475 that is already included in my order price since the factory was supposed to have installed the hitch for the $475 add on price. The dealerships charging me an extra 306$ installation is what is bugging me, it was supposed to come installed for $475. And the fact they add almost 3k to the price for the "market adjustment", they could have just said we will install it for free since the factory ran out and we will do something nice for you.! haha

But even with their market adjustment and them charging me 306$ extra, it is still the "best deal" I have seen in South Florida, which is sad, but it is the current state of buying a new car, so it is what it is. If I refuse to pay it, they will just say they will sell the car to someone else and there will be someone else within a day or two willing to pay it. So to get the car the way I want it, an extra $306 isn't going to make me say no deal.

They offer free oil changes for a year but I am moving 4 hours away from the dealership, so I am going to at least try to convince the salesman to throw in 2 free paper oil filters for the car, which cost like 7$ to order and probably costs the dealership a dollar each, if they will not give me 2$ of free items, then I will really be pissed.!

I see the dilemna. Yeah if they are going to charge you full MSRP for the tow option but not install it that's pretty crappy of them. But consider availability of the part and finding it right now is a premium so it's possible that people are overcharging for the parts alone because of supply/demand. Kiastuff.com has the whole kit for $680 with free shipping without tax included, but that still only gets you the parts and no installation. So if you look at this way, you are paying $100 more to have it installed. If they just gave you the parts, it's too bad you can't just find a guy in the service department or someone you know and give them $100. I'll bet if you took the parts to a camper dealer you might be able to find someone to install it for cheap if you can't do it yourself. But it all comes back to your time vs what you thought was going to be done.

 

[rcoplien]

Did they put the self leveling rear suspension on even though you aren't getting the hitch from the manufacturer>?

 

[eebling]

Did they put the self leveling rear suspension on even though you aren't getting the hitch from the manufacturer>?

No, its only an S level trim so that isn't offered even though they are charging me what it would have cost to add the Tow Package if it was an EX or SX model.

 

[eebling]

Here is an excerpt from the email I got back from my sales guy at the dealership....

"
Hitch + bumper cover + harness = $712
Labor (2.5 hours x $150) = $375
Total = $1087
-$475 (cost of trailer hitch when ordered)
$612 - difference.
I spoke with my manager and he did say that he is willing to split the difference with you.

"

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[JAM]

$712 is not the cost. You can buy it on Amazon for $500. No way the dealership is buying it for $712.

 

[2020Telly]

$712 is not the cost. You can buy it on Amazon for $500. No way the dealership is buying it for $712.

Edmunds estimates the invoice price for the tow hitch and harness option is $394 installed. With an MSRP of $475 installed the dealer 20% markup at MSRP. This is an 80% markup at $712 and labor at $150 for 2.5 hours is extremely high. Really looks like they are taking advantage of a difficult situation of not getting what was requested on the order.

 

[JAM]

$1100 for a $475 item. I wonder if they never submitted the tow hitch option in the first place. They are acting like they are doing you a favor. It’s nonsense.

 

[eebling]

$712 is not the cost. You can buy it on Amazon for $500. No way the dealership is buying it for $712.

Not a surprise at all that a dealership is overcharging....

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[eebling]

$1100 for a $475 item. I wonder if they never submitted the tow hitch option in the first place. They are acting like they are doing you a favor. It’s nonsense.

its on the Kdealer sheet they printed for me when I placed the order. I asked for the tow hitch and crossbars, they came back and said unfortunately the crossbars can't be added at the time but good news, the tow hitch was able to be ordered with the car.

And now if I want to order the crossbars, its like $500+ even though they should have been $310 to buy with the car, that price SHOULD be honored, but it wont be, And I wont be ordering the crossbars...

 

[eebling]

And lets not forget, they already have an extra 3K dollars added to the order for the "market adjustment"....! And still are charging me an extra $306 to add a towhitch that was supposed to come on the vehicle installed for $475. But even with all this BS, it is still the best price in a couple hundred mile radius... Everywhere else down here is between 5k and 10k over msrp. And that includes the places that tell you over the phone they don't charge a penny over msrp.

 

[JAM]

i’m a cut throat capitalist and I’d give it to you for cost. Them making money off you for an option that you paid for and didn’t get is just really shitty.

 

[eebling]

i’m a cut throat capitalist and I’d give it to you for cost. Them making money off you for an option that you paid for and didn’t get is just really shitty.

Haha ya, I agree, Luckily I am moving from the area and this is the first and last Kia I buy from them, so hopefully If I ever do need dealership servicing for something major, I can find a better dealership.!
I emailed a Kia Executive that had tracked down the progress of my order for me a few weeks ago, so hoping to get some response that might elude to kia corporate doing something about dealerships like this. Not sure what kind of relationship dealerships have with Kia and what Kia can even do to a dealership, but have heard some car manufacturers are going to start to "punish" the dealerships that are going overboard with the "pandemic pricing".
So I will be more than happy to pass every dealerships name along to corporate that I have talked to and tell them what each dealerships insane markups have been if it might help put the dealerships back in check. I have a fairly long list.... haha