2021 7-pin trailer harness - for Prestige only?

[zamboni]

This is for the in-crowd: In the 2021 Telluride Product Reference Guide, page 10, SX trims and packages, I noticed the 7-pin trailer harness mentioned under the Prestige Package, and not under the more general Towing Package option. Does this mean only Prestige package gets the 7-pin harness?

Z.

 

[JDFrye]

Commenting because I would like to know as well.

 

[mdineen]

well they misprinted info on the 2020 tow package, would not put it past them to make that mistake again. I believe all of the dealers have confirmed that it is indeed a 7 pin on all tow packages.

 

[zamboni]

well they misprinted info on the 2020 tow package, would not put it past them to make that mistake again. I believe all of the dealers have confirmed that it is indeed a 7 pin on all tow packages.

Thank you, mdineen. Sounds plausible given the track record. They need better proofreaders.

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[2020Telly]

I can now see how that might be misleading. The Palisade sells the tow hitch option with no harness and sells the harness as a stand-alone accessory. The first page of the Telluride 2021 material under “what’s new for 2021” implies that the tow hitch harness was upgraded from 4-pin to 7-pin with no specific mention of trim or package minimums. So the way the SX-P specs read you could interpret that the harness was removed from the tow option and now all you get is the tow hitch unless you get the SX-P which will add the new 7-pin harness. Very confusing and poorly written. For anyone that places a 2021 order with tow option you may want to specify “tow hitch with 7-pin harness” to make sure you don’t get stuck with just a bicycle rack connection and no electrical.

However, if you look at this there are still only two addons.

TO - Tow Hitch w/ Harness
TWJ - Towing Package (presumably still TO plus the Nivomats suspension upgrade)

2021 Official Training Material

Kinda looks legit but so far.... not a fan. Not much left to debate. That's it folks. Agree not a fan at all.

tellurideforum.org

If your window sticker does not include “TO” and you negotiate the Tow Option separately you might still want to specify the 7-pin harness so the dealer doesn’t just bolt on the hitch and replace the bumper cover then call it a day or give you the 2020 4-pin tow harness accessory.

 

[zamboni]

If your window sticker does not include “TO” and you negotiate the Tow Option separately you might still want to specify the 7-pin harness so the dealer does just bolt on the hitch and replace the bumper cover then call it a day or give you the 2020 4-pin tow harness accessory.

Thank you NC.
If the window sticker has:


and it's a 2021 SX without Prestige. Does the car get the 7-pin harness?

Regards,
Z.

 

[2020Telly]

Thank you NC.
If the window sticker has:
View attachment 8146

and it's a 2021 SX without Prestige. Does the car get the 7-pin harness?

Regards,
Z.

I guess we need to compare to a window sticker for an SX-P with tow package to see if it specifically calls out the harness.

https://www.kia.com/us/services/en/windowsticker/load/5XYP5DHC9MG097267

This one should have the 7-pin based on being an SX-P and the towing package description and price both look the same as yours.

 

[zamboni]

I guess we need to compare to a window sticker for an SX-P with tow package to see if it specifically calls out the harness.

https://www.kia.com/us/services/en/windowsticker/load/5XYP5DHC9MG097267

This one should have the 7-pin based on being an SX-P and the towing package description and price both look the same as yours.

Agreed. Will keep you, and this thread, updated when I get delivery. Thanks for checking.
I maintain: Kia needs better proofreaders

Z.

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[zamboni]

To close on this thread, today's Kia Media update for 2021 model clarifies that 7 pin trailer harness (additional package) is on all trims.

Z.

 

[BasilFawlty]

To close on this thread, today's Kia Media update for 2021 model clarifies that 7 pin trailer harness (additional package) is on all trims.

Z.


View attachment 8367

So does this mean I can tow a small trailer with my (ordered) SX non-P? Does the 7-pin allow for signal to electric brakes on a trailer?

 

[zamboni]

So does this mean I can tow a small trailer with my (ordered) SX non-P? Does the 7-pin allow for signal to electric brakes on a trailer?

Basil, I can confirm that 2021 SX non-P gets the 7-pin connector when when tow hitch (or tow package) ordered from the factory. Here is a picture of mine.

 

[BasilFawlty]

Basil, I can confirm that 2021 SX non-P gets the 7-pin connector when when tow hitch (or tow package) ordered from the factory. Here is a picture of mine.

Great! Then it sounds like I should be able to tow a small camping trailer.

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[2020Telly]

Great! Then it sounds like I should be able to tow a small camping trailer.

You will still need a brake controller. The harness is just the wiring.

 

[tazzytazzy]

Maybe I missed it in this thread, but where does one get the brake signal for the controller? The one that tells the controller that I'm braking. I ask, because in the past I've just tapped into the brake wire from the pedal, but this probably wont work due to the cruuse control/emergency auto braking.

Do I need to run a pair of wires from the 7 pin harness? One to get the brake signal and one from the brake controller to the 7 pin that goes to the electric brakes?

 

[Karen]

You will still need a brake controller. The harness is just the wiring.

Can u tow a pontoon boat with a 4 pin harness?

 

[2020Telly]

Maybe I missed it in this thread, but where does one get the brake signal for the controller? The one that tells the controller that I'm braking. I ask, because in the past I've just tapped into the brake wire from the pedal, but this probably wont work due to the cruuse control/emergency auto braking.

Do I need to run a pair of wires from the 7 pin harness? One to get the brake signal and one from the brake controller to the 7 pin that goes to the electric brakes?

If you have a 2021 the the 7-pin harness should be prewired to the cab and there should be a 2nd part to the kit disconnected and probably sitting in the glove box to use after you purchase, wire up and mount a wired brake controller in your cab. If you don’t want to mount anything in the cab there are about three wireless options that connect at the hitch, the least expensive and most popular being a Curt Echo Wireless.

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[2020Telly]

Can u tow a pontoon boat with a 4 pin harness?

It really depends on the boat and trailer. Smaller 14’ pontoon boat with motor and trailer might be right around 2,200lbs. Depending on your state you might be legal with a 4-pin, and if you have hydraulic brakes on the trailer, within spec of Kia’s manual.

But larger pontoon boats might be well over spec at 6,800 lbs and the Telluride is not a good fit to tow with or without a brake controller.

If you add the boat, motor, and trailer and you are under 5,000 lbs and the hitch weight of the trailer with the boat is under 500 lbs, the safest thing is to make sure the trailer has hydraulic brakes and consider a weight distribution system so you can lower the stress on the backend of the Telluride and not fishtail. If you don’t have a hydraulic brake system on the trailer but rather electronic brake then you should upgrade to 7-pin if you have a 2020, and get a brake controller along with weight distribution system.

I think only a few states allow towing up to 4,000lbs with no brake, but legal and safe with the vehicle are not always the same.

 

[Karen]

It really depends on the boat and trailer. Smaller 14’ pontoon boat with motor and trailer might be right around 2,200lbs. Depending on your state you might be legal with a 4-pin, and if you have hydraulic brakes on the trailer, within spec of Kia’s manual.

But larger pontoon boats might be well over spec at 6,800 lbs and the Telluride is not a good fit to tow with or without a brake controller.

If you add the boat motor and trailer and you are under 5,000 lbs and the hitch weight of the trailer with the boat is under 500 lbs, the safest thing is to make sure the trailer has hydraulic brakes and consider a weight distribution system so you can lower the stress on the backend of the Telluride and not fishtail. If you don’t have a hydraulic brake system on the trailer but rather electronic brake then you should upgrade to 7-pin if you have a 2020, and get a brake controller along with weight distribution system.

I think only a few states allow towing up to 4,000lbs with no brake, but legal and safe with the vehicle are not always the same.

Thank you, I do have a 2020.

 

[2020Telly]

Thank you, I do have a 2020.

Okay so we don't hijack this thread for 2021 owners, here are a couple that will be helpful for 2020 owners:

The story of installing a 7-way connector on a 2020 Telluride

I have a 2020 Kia Telluride (SX AWD with tow package). I was in need to replace the factory-installed 4-pin connector with a 7-pin in order to utilize the spec-declared 5000lbs towing capacity. According to the User Manual, max towing capacity of 5000lbs can only be achieved when using the...

tellurideforum.org

and

How To: Full Tow Hitch Install

If you do the wiring, please do share. I had the tow hitch installed by dealer at time of purchase for about $700 (included labor), since I didn't have tow package. I passed on the wiring though, but probably a good idea to do at some point. If all you need is the 4-pin the two options on...

tellurideforum.org

 

[2020Telly]

PSA - Whether you have the 2020 or 2021 Telluride with tow package or not the specs on the rear axle are the same. Self-Leveling shocks will not replace a weight distribution system and you can damage those expensive suspension parts with the tow package if you exceed the total weight at the hitch or behind the axle when towing and create a major safety hazard to you and other drivers. Raising the back end or leveling side-to-side is for aesthetics, leveling the headlights at the front and improving fuel efficiency by lowering drag. It is not a safety feature and does not increase any of the maximum specs. Simply raising the backend (with self-leveling shocks or air bags) is not the same as a weight distribution system that will take pressure off the rear axle and move it to the front axle to improve handling and lower stress on the rear suspension. (Reference videos: Trailer Weight Distribution and WDS vs AirBags)