Installing 2022 hitch on 2023 Telluride

[Nac]

What are your damages?

 

[AkayV]

What are your damages?

Damages would be needing to sell my 2 day Telluride for a loss to purchase towing vehicle from honest corporation.

 

[Nac]

Damages would be needing to sell my 2 day Telluride for a loss to purchase towing vehicle from honest corporation.

A two-day-old telluride will likely sell for more than you paid unless you paid a huge mark up.

The 2022 tow hitch fits the 2023 model two other items are not available from Kia one is the wiring harness the other is the cover plate to put in the bumper opening when the tow hitch is installed.

You can to buy electronic isolation boxes that will allow you to wire a socket to your hitch, you just have to cut into your wiring harness to do it (as others have already done.)

Others have also modified the original bumper cover plate to reinstall until a new one is available.

You want to sue the company because you have to sell your 2-day-old car because you can't buy an OEM supplied wire harness that is not absolutely necessary since can be hard wired in, and a bumper fill plate that is unnecessary for towing since it's cosmetic.

Pretty sure any lawyer is going to tell you you're S.O.L. because you have no damages you simply choose not to purchase available items that others have already purchased and installed.

 

[2020Telly]

This was also the thought before any cigarette and lung cancer lawsuits came about, before any asbestos lawsuits came about, before cars that motor caught on fire. Granted this is not a health issue but definitely unethical and public needs to be aware of these unethical practices.

Health and Safety issues aside, take a look at the market leader in this class. The Toyota Highlander sells the most mid-sized SUVs. Toyota advertises Towing Capacity and different engines and trims offer slightly different maximum towing capacity. Every Highlander even includes Trailer Sway Control just like the Kia Telluride, but Toyota does not sell hitches. You have to buy aftermarket tow hitches for a Highlander. My point is the precedent is set they don't have to sell you a hitch to sell you towing capacity. A mid-sized SUV is not a serious towing vehicle so it can't reasonably be considered a standard feature. Yes, Kia does market it as rugged and capable and they now add tow mode on the X-Line and X-Pro. The problem here is that people (sales included) assumed that since they offered a tow option on 2020-2022 that they would also offer one in 2023. Kia never said they would unless you have that in writing. It appears they finally figured out one thing and removed the self-leveling suspension shocks from being called a towing package and now just list them as a separate option. I think comparing decades of fighting misleading advertising that led to pain and death to not coming from the factory with a place to connect a boat or trailer is a bit of a stretch. Especially considering there is a reasonable aftermarket option to buy a hitch and have a harness installed if the buyer does their homework. At least they left the threaded holes to make the install easy so you don’t have to drill or weld the frame.

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[Slack Attack]

Health and Safety issues aside, take a look at the market leader in this class. The Toyota Highlander sells the most mid-sized SUVs. Toyota advertises Towing Capacity and different engines and trims offer slightly different maximum towing capacity. Every Highlander even includes Trailer Sway Control just like the Kia Telluride, but Toyota does not sell hitches. You have to buy aftermarket tow hitches for a Highlander. My point is the precedent is set they don't have to sell you a hitch to sell you towing capacity. A mid-sized SUV is not a serious towing vehicle so it can't reasonably be considered a standard feature. Yes, Kia does market it as rugged and capable and they now add tow mode on the X-Line and X-Pro. The problem here is that people (sales included) assumed that since they offered a tow option on 2020-2022 that they would also offer one in 2023. Kia never said they would unless you have that in writing. It appears they finally figured out one thing and removed the self-leveling suspension shocks from being called a towing package and now just list them as a separate option. I think comparing decades of fighting misleading advertising that led to pain and death to not coming from the factory with a place to connect a boat or trailer is a bit of a stretch. Especially considering there is a reasonable aftermarket option to buy a hitch and have a harness installed if the buyer does their homework. At least they left the threaded holes to make the install easy so you don’t have to drill or weld the frame.

I just checked, the new Toyota Highlander does indeed have an OEM trailer hitch with wiring harness. I suspect Kia will eventually release a new OEM hitch option simply based on the fact that there is a plastic piece on the rear bumper that clearly comes off for OEM hitch installation.

 

[2020Telly]

I just checked, the new Toyota Highlander does indeed have an OEM trailer hitch with wiring harness. I suspect Kia will eventually release a new OEM hitch option simply based on the fact that there is a plastic piece on the rear bumper that clearly comes off for OEM hitch installation.

Did it say 2023? It does not appear that a 2023 Highlander includes a tow hitch towing options from the factory. You have to buy separate from Toyota or aftermarket. After some brief searching there does not appear to be a tow harness available for the 2023 from Toyota, but there are aftermarket options. So you are correct, I was wrong that Toyota does have hitches, but the Highlander is still in the same boat as the Telluride, changes in 2023 mean that they don't sell them from the factory with a package, but they do continue to advertise towing capability. So far all the Toyota OEM harnesses only say 2022.

I don't know that Kia did anything misleading by not offering a tow hitch if they didn't advertise one when you bought it. I thought I read someone else reported that they even lowered the price by $300 because they couldn't include the tow hitch and harness. To contrast, 2020 buyers were sold remote start and the Telluride was advertised as coming with remote start. Then after taking delivery it was discovered that Kia meant if you pay for the subscription to the Kia Connect app you could get remote start. This was misleading because other Kias had remote start on the key FOB. To solve that misleading advertising Kia just started offering the remote start in the key FOB beginning in 2021 and still having the Kia Connect app. Nothing was offered to the people who bought a 2020 with remote start advertised and I don't recall reading any initial marketing in 2019 that said "paid subscription required."

 

[scottw324]

I would either get the OEM hitch for a '22 and install or get a Curt class 3 trailer hitch for a '22.

My 2013 Ford Explorer was rated with a 5K towing capacity despite not coming with a trailer hitch since I did not order one with it. I installed the Curt class 3 hitch myself in the driveway later on for bike carrier and later on using it for a a few different Uhaul trailers. I had the Uhaul guys install a light harness it.

 

[burgski]

Actually Kia did advertise the trailer hitch option on the 2023's in October and November. I was shopping for a vehicle at that time, so it was a choice on their website and its in the catalog that I still have. When I had the dealer place the order early December, that option disappeared. It took them a few days to find out what had happened. Bottom line, it was advertised.

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[2020Telly]

Actually Kia did advertise the trailer hitch option on the 2023's in October and November. I was shopping for a vehicle at that time, so it was a choice on their website and its in the catalog that I still have. When I had the dealer place the order early December, that option disappeared. It took them a few days to find out what had happened. Bottom line, it was advertised.

That makes sense that it was on the website, but the website doesn't account for the actual window stickers and from what I have seen the website doesn't reflect real supply chain issues or options that aren't available yet until Kia makes a change.

By comparison my 2020 window sticker for a Telluride that I took delivery on in early 2019 says "Smart Key with Push Button Start" then "UVO link includes 1 year" right below as a separate line item. I feel a little misled because I read that as I bought the capability for push button start from the key FOB and I read ALL the early marketing advertising remote start. But I found out my FOB did not have the push button start option (like what was added in 2021 and what came on the 2020 Kia Seltos) and remote start was subscription only through the smartphone app. I'm guessing the feature wasn't ready since the Seltos came out shortly after the Telluride and Kia just pulled it from the window stickers and didn't bother to make it right for those buyers that had it but didn't get it. But I'm not going to file a class action lawsuit for an added feature because my window sticker was wrong. I was an early adopter and they got the details wrong and fixed it after people started questioning them. If 2023 buyers got a $300 discount because tow mode didn't come with a tow hitch, you are lucky because the 2020 early buyers weren't as fortunate with remote start. We were sold one thing and took delivery of something lesser and Kia never gave us anything back. But I'm still happy with the vehicle even though remote start from the FOB was a massive disappointment both in not having it and in the way Kia handled it.

 

[dtburgh]

I checked with my local dealership service department and they have seen gaps between the hitch and frame before. Their installer said that sometimes he puts washers between the hitch and frame so that is what I did.

I removed the two through bolts on the driver side and added some washers between the hitch bracket and frame as seen in these photos. Photos of the overall hitch installation also attached.

They brought out a hitch cover for the previous year and we confirmed that it definitely does not fit this bumper.

If anyone is willing to do this, I'm curious to know what the distance is from the inside to the inside of your frame at the hitch. As shown in the photo, the distance on mine is about 39.5". This photo was taken from the front, or driver side, of the hitch bracket and measured from inside to inside on the frame.

well crap, i purchased a 20-22 oem telluride hitch, and my distance between frame mounts on the hitch is only 38 3/4! and you're showing about 39.5?? ugh, i dont think thats going to work..

 

[2020Telly]

well crap, i purchased a 20-22 oem telluride hitch, and my distance between frame mounts on the hitch is only 38 3/4! and you're showing about 39.5?? ugh, i dont think thats going to work..

Maybe some prying? I know when I installed on my 2020 it took a little force to get the holes to line up and there was just enough flex to get there. Once I got the threaded bolts on I just alternated tightening and it started to fit better.

 

[Sharky]

How hard is it to find a '22 hitch? Hearing rumors that Kia may abandon a solution for the '22 and '23s. If that's true, would there be a reason for them to continue to produce OEM hitches?

I'm still waiting to buy a '23 with plans to add a '22 hitch. Wondering if, at this point, I should wait for a '24.

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[PittPa]

KIA OE are still available on Ebay. Price is higher ($4-500 shipped) than before but I don't see it getting any better

 

[dtburgh]

How hard is it to find a '22 hitch? Hearing rumors that Kia may abandon a solution for the '22 and '23s. If that's true, would there be a reason for them to continue to produce OEM hitches?

I'm still waiting to buy a '23 with plans to add a '22 hitch. Wondering if, at this point, I should wait for a '24.

I might have one for sale soon.

 

[burgski]

Is there a reason to go with an OEM hitch vs an aftermarket like Curt? I have no problem putting one on as I've done this with a few of my past vehicles.

 

[Sharky]

How hard is it to find a '22 hitch? Hearing rumors that Kia may abandon a solution for the '22 and '23s. If that's true, would there be a reason for them to continue to produce OEM hitches?

I'm still waiting to buy a '23 with plans to add a '22 hitch. Wondering if, at this point, I should wait for a '24

Is there a reason to go with an OEM hitch vs an aftermarket like Curt? I have no problem putting one on as I've done this with a few of my past vehicles.

I just don't want one low, under the bumper.

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[tyger23]

I will say that I'm quite happy with the Etrailer hitch (Item # e45ZR). It's slightly higher than the Curt or Drawtite version, and I like the matte finish. It's held up well in the time I've had it installed. You can see it here:

2023 Telluride Trailer Hitch Receiver availability

I believe an aftermarket tow hitch will be positioned lower than a factory installed or integrated tow hitch. I got a call from our dealership that our Telluride was in last week. I asked about factory tow and they said that it is still unobtainable. I refuse to take possession of a new...

tellurideforum.org

Another user installed that same hitch as well:

2023 Telluride Trailer Hitch Receiver availability

It's 100% designed and ready for production. I can guarantee that. The question is if it is weeks or months away with the recall. I believe I just found info that indicates Kia will not be releasing that 2023 Telluride hitch anytime soon. Consumer Reports says Kia has had another huge...

tellurideforum.org

 

[dtburgh]

I will say that I'm quite happy with the Etrailer hitch (Item # e45ZR). It's slightly higher than the Curt or Drawtite version, and I like the matte finish. It's held up well in the time I've had it installed. You can see it here:

where will you mount the 7-pin harness if it ever gets released? its nice the factory hitch has that already.

 

[tyger23]

where will you mount the 7-pin harness if it ever gets released? its nice the factory hitch has that already.

I've got a couple of ideas - but nothing solid yet. It's hard to plan when I don't know what the harness will look like or how long the wiring is. But, I'm not 100% sure I'm going to keep waiting for the factory harness. It's boating season now.

 

[dtburgh]

I've got a couple of ideas - but nothing solid yet. It's hard to plan when I don't know what the harness will look like or how long the wiring is. But, I'm not 100% sure I'm going to keep waiting for the factory harness. It's boating season now.

i get ya.. are there any options from etrailer for something that attaches to the hitch? i thought i saw accessories like that..