2023 Telluride Trailer Hitch Receiver availability

[kevin.west11]

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.

 

[PittPa]

My only critique would be to radius the 90deg angles to give it a more "finished " result. Drill the corners with a hole saw and saw into these.

 

[kevin.west11]

My only critique would be to radius the 90deg angles to give it a more "finished " result. Drill the corners with a hole saw and saw into these.

Totally agree. I just used what I had for this job.

 

[slim]

KW11, did you fit a full-size spare? How did you accomplish that? Wheel & Tire Size? Pro's, Con's, recommendations?

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[slim]

Oh, ordered my 22 trailer hitch and will pick-up from the dealer Friday. Their non-install price was competitive with on-line when you factor in shipping. They said it fit the 23 just no cover for around the hitch and no wiring harness. I will ask about the latch.

 

[kevin.west11]

KW11, did you fit a full-size spare? How did you accomplish that? Wheel & Tire Size? Pro's, Con's, recommendations?

I recently completed a full size spare upgrade on my ‘23 S. This thread was very helpful. Instead of purchasing an OEM wheel, I went the cheapest route I could and bought a steel wheel (p/n sw60-8765b40) and a 245/60R18 used tire. The wheel was $87 delivered. The tire was $30 from a used tire shop, and it was $20 to mount and balance...$137 total. We plan to tow if Kia ever releases the ‘23 tow harness and this upgrade is essential.

I posted in the quoted thread. There’s good discussion of pros/cons shared by others as well. You do lose a little bit of ground clearance but we have had no issues with driveway curbs. It’s an easy compromise for the peace of mind if and when we tow to have that full size spare.

 

[slim]

There is a about an 1/8” gap before you torque the bolts so that it has an easy fit up. torquing the bolts in the prescribed sequence in the instructions will close the gap up ... as the larger M12 bolts flex the hitch ....

I picked up my factory hitch from the dealer today. They only had knowledge of issues with the wiring harness. I've also read on-line that this wiring harness recall has been expanded to other models with a total of 8 catching fire and 50+ having melted wiring harnesses.

This is one beefy hitch. I have doubts that the hitch flexes as opposed to the sheet metal frame of the vehicle. I will be using shims to minimize the flexing of either side.

 

[TheDestroyer]

@kevin.west11 Thank you so much for your trim cut template including the dimensions. Worked out perfectly in my installation and does not look half-bad. After confirming your measurements on cardboard template, I drew directly onto the plastic and used an oscillating multi-tool to make the cuts, followed that up with a file, then some sandpaper. Took about an hour to cut and clean up the edges.

My thoughts on the hitch install (not including trimming that piece):

• I used a stopwatch to time it: 2 hrs 15 minutes with no assistance including gathering up and putting away the tools, but not including the pre-step of reading the instructions, watching the youtube videos, and reading the instructions again.
• The tool to remove the exhaust hangers is a great help for $17. Wish there was one to get them back on! I could have shaved 30 minutes with an assistant, mostly on the lifting and aligning the hitch (though the muffler does help a bit) and would help tremendously getting the exhaust back in place to move the muffler into position so you have two hands to stretch the rubber back onto the posts.
• Don't try to do this without a torque wrench. The torque must be accurate in these applications. Buy the $20 1/2" one at Harbor Freight if you don't have one. I also recommend a high tooth count ratchet to maximize travel distance per pull to snug these up - the HF composite ratchets are pretty good here as well.
• Strongly recommend 6 point sockets. You only NEED one 4" or 5" extension, avoid the wobble ones here, I initially grabbed both 12 point and wobble extensions and exchanged them for the 6 pt. sockets and non-wobble to prevent slip-off when applying final torque.
• You don't need to remove the entire plastic box on the driver's side, just the three lower clips which can let you get your hand in there and thread the nuts on.

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[slim]

I started looking more closely at the hitch installation today. There is no connector for the trailer hitch wiring harness present on my 2023 like there is on the 2022. It makes me wonder if there really is going to be a factory option for our year model when they haven't seem to have planned for it.

 

[slim]

There appears to be connectors on above the trailer hitch cover on both sides whose purpose I haven't determined yet.

 

[lindydrty]

I had my trailer hitch installed on March 3, 2023 by U-Haul. I've been waiting, since then, for the wiring harness. They told me they could wire a different harness but, according to Kia, splicing it would void any warranty on the car. I've called my Kia dealer to find out when the wiring harness would be available and they only know that it was recalled. At the moment, there is no projected release date. In the meantime, I bought a new travel trailer which I can't legally tow without wiring. Come on KIA! Maybe I should have bought a Hyundai.

 

[slim]

A thread that may have some helpful wiring info which I have yet to digest.

The 2023 Telluride Towing Saga - Adding some data and pictures, and it's not great news

Had trouble posting the link... Use etrailer dot com and add /question-657684 dot html Well - I think SeasTheDay and ConfusedOwner can confirm that this tow bar fits, but the wiring harness mentioned in that etrailer link will NOT fit. That would only work with the 2020-2022 tellys.

tellurideforum.org

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[slim]

Come on KIA! Maybe I should have bought a Hyundai.

Hyundai is under the same recall.

 

[slim]

I raised the hitch into position this afternoon. There is 0.335" gap between the hitch and body with my set-up. When pushed all the way toward the passenger side, the hitch is 0.125" off-center. I have no experience to know if that amount is significant.

I am definitely going to use spacers but haven't decide exactly how. I have some thick fender washers that, using 3, can eliminate 0.300" of the excess play.

 

[slim]

After tightening up the passenger side and adding a spacer with the driver's side snug, the hitch was noticeably off-center. I removed the spacer and tightened to spec. The hitch does, in fact, flex/stretch. Even at 80 lbs of torque, it doesn't look like the driver's side is flush to the frame. I will recheck torque in the future after use. Brake cleaner sprayed into the rubber exhaust hangers made them easy to remove and reinstall.

Thanks for the template kevin.w. Oh, the spare tire makes a nice headrest (I did not lift the car for the install).

 

[slim]

I just finished up the installation. A medium rate USPS flat-rate box was the perfect size for a template. It was about 3/8" short but took all my measurements from the left to right. kevin.w's measurements were an excellent starting point and masterfully done. Note that his cut mark saved the structural rib to retain plastic rigidity (lower left). You might be able to cut to the next lower rib but I stuck with kevin.w's measurement to leave plenty of clearance for safety chains. I added about an 1/8" more to the wiring harness plate for a bit more clearance. A box cutter knife made trimming any excess or squaring my cuts a breeze. I took my time and did this over 3 days. It will be interesting to see what wiring harness solution Kia comes up with for the 2023 if any.

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[TheNip73]

Years…

 

[slim]

I'm very happy with this install. We are ready for the luggage carrier for our trips this month and next. The cut-out template worked great. Looking at the completed job today today, I would consider rounding the corners up to the square hitch tube if you have the tools. I did have a hole saw and any radius would work, even smaller than illustrated below.

 

[corsair]

I am attempting to get the dealer to send me the bumper plate they threw away on install but were supposed to keep. If that fails, what's the cheapest way I can find/buy this? I'm use to seeing a parts exploder and lots of online Honda part retailers for my Odyssey but I can't seem to find one with Kia.

 

[kevin.west11]

I am attempting to get the dealer to send me the bumper plate they threw away on install but were supposed to keep. If that fails, what's the cheapest way I can find/buy this? I'm use to seeing a parts exploder and lots of online Honda part retailers for my Odyssey but I can't seem to find one with Kia.

I saw this part number on my cover: 86672-S9500. Can’t post a hyperlink but it looks like kiaparts has it. I’d reach out to the dealership to buy it for you, especially since there’s no ‘23 bumper cover available.