2023 Telluride Trailer Hitch Receiver availability

[Slack Attack]

I disagree. I think people are having success ordering the Hyundai part for the tow harness and it appears to be a very straight forward plug and play answer that effectively solves the 7-pin harness problem perfectly. If you don't want to install the hitch yourself, you can take it anywhere to install by a professional for a couple hundred dollars as it involves putting it in place and torquing some threaded bolts. I think the evidence on this forum is that the self-leveling suspension provides a questionable, at best minimal, towing benefit for some light towing, but for more regular towing you may wear them down faster, they are more expensive to replace, and you can't replace with regular shocks. You typically want more rigidity when towing which the leveling shocks tend to do the opposite along with make it a little more complicated to load level since you have to account for the self-leveling. There have been people also report that the self-leveling shocks have a more pronounced sag when parked. If you like the self-leveling rear suspension during normal driving as a comfort convenience more power to you, but you don't need it to tow with a Telluride.

Everything is a compromise as there is no perfect vehicle. If you want a vehicle that has a more thought out towing package, go with a Nissan Pathfinder that has a body on frame like a truck vs unibody on the Telluride. But I'm sure you will find a compromise in something else.

Agreed on the self leveling suspension, certainly not a necessary component to towing with the Telluride.

As for the Hyundai Palisade 7-pin harness, I just want to point out to folks that some members on this forum have waited 3-5 months for the part and so availability is not instant like we have come to expect. For anyone buying a Telluride this summer who needs to tow this summer, it is just going to be a challenge.

Of course, for people who only need a hitch for things like a bike rack, that can be resolved immediately with a number of good solutions.

 

[2020Telly]

Agreed on the self leveling suspension, certainly not a necessary component to towing with the Telluride.

As for the Hyundai Palisade 7-pin harness, I just want to point out to folks that some members on this forum have waited 3-5 months for the part and so availability is not instant like we have come to expect. For anyone buying a Telluride this summer who needs to tow this summer, it is just going to be a challenge.

Of course, for people who only need a hitch for things like a bike rack, that can be resolved immediately with a number of good solutions.

I just figured given that some people waited longer than that for their vehicle, what's another 3-5 months to get the right answer knowing it is the right answer. Splicing a universal harness is always an option and works fine too if done properly and can be a temporary answer until the harness comes in. Given how the world has been the last 4 years, I just figured a 3-5 month wait for anything ain't bad. I gave up waiting for Kia to fix the remote start on the key fob from purchases in 2019. At least this issue has a happy ending.

 

[Spartan1]

I followed the measurements in the template and cut using a Dremel. My lines are not straight but when the trim is reinstalled I cannot tell. I plan to install the harness this weekend and update my cuts/lines to fit. Once complete I’ll upload some pics

Here are some installed pics of OEM hitch S9F61-AU000 with the Hyundai Palisade 7-Pin. (SXP X-Pro) Must say, hitch installation was easy and I like the slightly higher mount the OEM hitch has, but I am a little disappointed on how 7-pin connector seems to get swallowed up by the cover. Hoping Kia releases a hitch cover for OEM hitch similar to the 2000-2022 cover that fits. If they do not or if the cover they release does not fit old OEM Hitch, I’ll go back and cleanup my cuts more and cut a little bit more away in front of Harness. Regardless, I’m ecstatic hitch fits great and I have a plug and play harness. Also, would like to thank Tyger23 for confirming Palisade Harness worked and posting installation instructions.

Note: If any one wants to know, I used hyper-dip Gloss Black on bumper. I plan on adding to 2-more coats in near future(once humidity drops) to even out rear bumper. Front looks great and will upload photos to black out thread after next car wash.

 

[ButtCrack]

Here are some installed pics of OEM hitch S9F61-AU000 with the Hyundai Palisade 7-Pin. (SXP X-Pro) Must say, hitch installation was easy and I like the slightly higher mount the OEM hitch has, but I am a little disappointed on how 7-pin connector seems to get swallowed up by the cover. Hoping Kia releases a hitch cover for OEM hitch similar to the 2000-2022 cover that fits. If they do not or if the cover they release does not fit old OEM Hitch, I’ll go back and cleanup my cuts more and cut a little bit more away in front of Harness. Regardless, I’m ecstatic hitch fits great and I have a plug and play harness. Also, would like to thank Tyger23 for confirming Palisade Harness worked and posting installation instructions.

Note: If any one wants to know, I used hyper-dip Gloss Black on bumper. I plan on adding to 2-more coats in near future(once humidity drops) to even out rear bumper. Front looks great and will upload photos to black out thread after next car wash.View attachment 30753

I cut mine similar to yours and the hitch area looks good to me. The 7 pin area is where it could be better. I experimented by taking a piece of the plastic cut out from hitch area and tried to form it using heat gun. When I heated from the outer side it distorted the texture of the plastic which looked bad as seen in the upper portion. Then I flipped and heated from the smooth inner surface and ended up with this. Not perfect but only took a couple minutes to see what would happen. I'm wondering if I can form it up and back and away from the 7 pin. If I were to do that I would build a jig to hold everything where I wanted it when completed. I guess my question is do you think that would work and the 7 pin cover would open or does it for sure need to be cut out? The only area that changes shape is where the heat is applied so I'm not worried about distorting the whole panel. I also learned wear gloves it's really hot.

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[Spartan1]

I cut mine similar to yours and the hitch area looks good to me. The 7 pin area is where it could be better. I experimented by taking a piece of the plastic cut out from hitch area and tried to form it using heat gun. When I heated from the outer side it distorted the texture of the plastic which looked bad as seen in the upper portion. Then I flipped and heated from the smooth inner surface and ended up with this. Not perfect but only took a couple minutes to see what would happen. I'm wondering if I can form it up and back and away from the 7 pin. If I were to do that I would build a jig to hold everything where I wanted it when completed. I guess my question is do you think that would work and the 7 pin cover would open or does it for sure need to be cut out? The only area that changes shape is where the heat is applied so I'm not worried about distorting the whole panel. I also learned wear gloves it's really hot.

Buttcrack, I like what your trying to do but I don’t think it will work. I cut the cover just enough to open the harness to get a plug in. So to form it up, I would think you need to form it up 3 to 4 inches beyond your current 7-pin harness cut out

 

[ButtCrack]

Buttcrack, I like what your trying to do but I don’t think it will work. I cut the cover just enough to open the harness to get a plug in. So to form it up, I would think you need to form it up 3 to 4 inches beyond your current 7-pin harness cut out

Thanks for the reply!! I'm guessing once the harness, hitch solution is finally released there will be a replacement panel similar to the 2020-2022 panel.

 

[Karen]

What about a u-haul hitch?

 

[TellmeyourWHAT?]

Perhaps you are right. It is possible that I misunderstand. And if so, I will stand corrected.

However, elsewhere on this forum, the explanation is that Kia has only removed the Self-Leveling Rear Suspension Packages. Only tow packages will now be available. The explanation is that they are eliminating the stand alone self-leveling *package* that only exitsted because it was subbed for the tow package when the hitch and harness were not available.

The x-line and x-pro have always included self leveling rear suspension as part of the trim line. Not an added package. And, according to my 2024 Munroney sticker, at least the x-pro still does.
View attachment 30748

Never known a window sticker to be wrong.

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[2020Telly]

Never known a window sticker to be wrong.

Mine was wrong in early 2019, remote start on key fob never made it to the 2020MY. Post with my original window sticker.

 

[lgreen2]

What about a u-haul hitch?

The U-Haul hitches look good, and are inexpensive (our local U-Haul quoted $311 and $325 INSTALLED!! for the Curt or the Draw-Tite. The compromise is that they have about an inch/inch and 1/2 less ground clearance. They ride lower than the (semi) OEM (the 2020-2022 model year version).

 

[Karen]

Thank you for the reply! I’m purchasing a 2023 SXP X Line Thursday that I found on the lot. Does uhaul have the hitch in black?

 

[2020Telly]

Thank you for the reply! I’m purchasing a 2023 SXP X Line Thursday that I found on the lot. Does uhaul have the hitch in black?

Take a look a this video: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-curt-trailer-hitch-receiver-2023-kia-telluride-c13420.aspx

If done properly at your local Uhaul, a 2023 should look very similar. To my knowledge all the Curt and Drawtite hitches are black and I think Uhaul uses one of those. The Uhaul website advertises this part number CMF13420 which aligns with Curt Part number.

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[Karen]

Take a look a this video: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-curt-trailer-hitch-receiver-2023-kia-telluride-c13420.aspx

If done properly at your local Uhaul, a 2023 should look very similar. To my knowledge all the Curt and Drawtite hitches are black and I think Uhaul uses one of those. The Uhaul website advertises this part number CMF13420 which aligns with Curt Part number.

Thank you so much!

 

[2020Telly]

Thank you so much!

The Curt may require a little cutting of the bumper cover panel but less than the Kia Hitch used on the 2020-2022 Tellurides. Just make sure they don't throw away that bumper cover panel and secure it back on tightly. If you are putting a bike rack on or cargo rack or box the height should be fine. If you are towing and you want the hitch to sit higher, you can get a hitch ball mount with a rise and you will be back up to about the same height as the OEM hitch receiver.

 

[dtburgh]

well im in the middle of putting my factory hitch on and man there seems to be a lot of play in it!

i have the S9F61-AU001 hitch, which i think is the same as the S9F61-AU000, but just the newer part number?

i hope it snugs up a bit when i tighten/torque the bolts.. :/

edit... it really did pull in when i torqued everything down.. i did not think it would flex that much. it had to be a 1/4 inch on each side minimum.. was a little concerned i was going to break a bolt. it seemed i was tightening them for a long time!! not crazy with the cover piece fitting back on. really snug around the hitch neck and where the 7 pin harness will bolt on, but its better than nothing i guess! its still so stupid that Kia hasnt fixed this nonsense yet..

 

[dtburgh]

delete, found it..

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[wfmcl1]

I finally got around to trimming my bumper cover. I iterated on a cardboard template to come up with the end solution pictured. Due to the curvature, your best reference points on the piece are the corners near the body clips which I referenced for the cut dimensions. You’ll also notice that the wire harness receptacle is not serviceable with this cut template. I plan to take it off and modify the cutout once I get the tow harness. I just did the bare minimum to clear the bracket for this temporary solution. I would recommend the template as a starting place for your piece of cardboard and confirming the fit on your specific hitch before going at it in your bumper cover. You’ll notice my hitch is not perfectly centered about the chain hook cutouts.

The plastic is very easy to cut even with rudimentary tools—I just used a small hack saw blade held with my fingers and a 1/2” drill bit at the corners of the cutouts to get the blade started. Very easy to do and definitely gives a more finished look for those that install the ‘20-22 factory hitch. When I take it off for cutting out the harness plug clearances, I will plan to file all the cut edges to give a more finished look. It’s good enough for now.View attachment 30239View attachment 30240View attachment 30241View attachment 30242

Thank you for the template! Just installed my receiver and cut the bumper cover; worked perfectly.

 

[goldenstonemike]

You can look at the official website and not ask questions to the dealer. I don't like to talk on the phone, so I never ask such things from dealers.

 

[dwvaughn]

Been following this thread for a while now and hoping an answer is there from Kia but it looks like 2022 hitch and Palisade harness is the solution. I'm going to order the hitch and cut the panel per the template then I was thinking I might 3d model a piece to print in PET-G and glue into place on the backside of the panel for the hitch harness. Once I get there I'll share the files if anyone is interested in printing one themselves.

 

[PittPa]

well im in the middle of putting my factory hitch on and man there seems to be a lot of play in it!

i have the S9F61-AU001 hitch, which i think is the same as the S9F61-AU000, but just the newer part number?

i hope it snugs up a bit when i tighten/torque the bolts.. :/

edit... it really did pull in when i torqued everything down.. i did not think it would flex that much. it had to be a 1/4 inch on each side minimum.. was a little concerned i was going to break a bolt. it seemed i was tightening them for a long time!! not crazy with the cover piece fitting back on. really snug around the hitch neck and where the 7 pin harness will bolt on, but its better than nothing i guess! its still so stupid that Kia hasnt fixed this nonsense yet..

This was exactly the same with my 2020 with the factory hitch so it sounds the same. Not sure what the reason for so much play until it was torqued (fitment?). It's been perfect over the last 3 years.