Hitch

[eg78]

I am a little surprised to see that the highest trim (sxL night sky) doesn't come standard with a tow hitch. There also doesn't appear to be any option to add it to my build on the Canadian website.

Is it ok to have my dealer install after delivery, or is it better to order it with the hitch, and if I do so, will it be installed as part of the build at the factory?

 

[SLPV]

If available, it's better to factory order the hitch instead of dealer install after delivery. It's not only the hitch, but also the bumper trim and cost for dealer installation. Other option after delivery is for third party to install after market hitch, but it will not look the same.

 

[Numbersguy]

I installed my hitch after I bought the vehicle in Canada. It wasn’t a hard install and you can get the bumper trim piece at the dealership. The hitch is a Curt 13420.

 

[eg78]

You installed the hitch and all the wiring too?

Is the bumper trim something that goes over the hitch receiver and covers it when you aren't using it?

Thanks

I installed my hitch after I bought the vehicle in Canada. It wasn’t a hard install and you can get the bumper trim piece at the dealership. The hitch is a Curt 13420.

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[Numbersguy]

You installed the hitch and all the wiring too?

Is the bumper trim something that goes over the hitch receiver and covers it when you aren't using it?

Thanks

Yes I did, the wiring is plug and play. The assembly plant provides a plug under the body panel behind the rear wheel on the driver side underneath that you plug the wire harness into. The hitch I mentioned doesn’t clear the bumper so you remove the middle panel of the bumper, install the hitch and the cover provides an opening for the receiver to come through and finishes off the bumper. Some people just cut out a square section out of the bumper for the receiver but I don’t want to do that. I wanted a professional look.

 

[eg78]

Yes I did, the wiring is plug and play. The assembly plant provides a plug under the body panel behind the rear wheel on the driver side underneath that you plug the wire harness into. The hitch I mentioned doesn’t clear the bumper so you remove the middle panel of the bumper, install the hitch and the cover provides an opening for the receiver to come through and finishes off the bumper. Some people just cut out a square section out of the bumper for the receiver but I don’t want to do that. I wanted a professional look.

Thanks, sounds like I'll go this route!

 

[Numbersguy]

Thanks, sounds like I'll go this route!

There’s a video on YouTube by etrailer that shows the installation of the Curt hitch.

It just won’t allow me to post it here for some reason

 

[PittPa]

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Kia/Telluride/2021/C13420.html?VehicleID=202198899#prod-acc-onlyreviews

Scroll up to videos . There is much more posted on hitches if you do a search, it's a common question.

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[2020Telly]

I installed my hitch after I bought the vehicle in Canada. It wasn’t a hard install and you can get the bumper trim piece at the dealership. The hitch is a Curt 13420.

What bumper trim piece at the dealership are you referring to? That bumper cover is not required for the Curt 13420 that hangs below. If you purchased the Kia part for the hitch receiver that is not a 13420. The $5 hitch pin that comes in the Kia box is made by Curt but I don't believe the Kia OEM hitch receiver has anything indicating it is made by Curt.

 

[2020Telly]

I am a little surprised to see that the highest trim (sxL night sky) doesn't come standard with a tow hitch. There also doesn't appear to be any option to add it to my build on the Canadian website.

Is it ok to have my dealer install after delivery, or is it better to order it with the hitch, and if I do so, will it be installed as part of the build at the factory?

If you are unable to get the tow option on any trim Kia in Canada the parts you need are below. However you choose to have them installed or install them yourself these options should work:

Kia parts identical to the US Tow Option (same exact OEM look):

Hitch Install ... Dealer vs Aftermarket

Curious if anyone has had an integrated hitch installed aftermarket and what it cost vs dealer quote

tellurideforum.org

After market hitch options that hang below the bumper (no bumper cover required):

After market hitch

Has anyone been able to find a low profile after market hitch that is recessed into the bumper? I find this get the tow package with my purchase but now I am in need for one. The factory kits are priced around $650. All others that are less expensive sit below the bumper.

tellurideforum.org

Hanging below the bumper, aftermarket option, is completely safe and offers a different more symmetric look than the OEM that is embedded in the bumper. You just have to decide where to mount the wiring and you may want to consider a hitch ball mount that rises to overcome the drop below the bumper. The Tekonsha wiring harness link below to eTrailer shows a picture of it installed with a Curt 13420 which requires some cutting. The DrawTite 76420 hangs just a little lower with a flat steel plate across the top and doesn't require cutting the plastic bumper trim. The hidden part of the Curt hitch is round while the other options are square tubes.

The result is a max 227kg (500 lb) tongue weight and 2,267kg (5,000 lbs) max towing capacity even if it didn't come from the factory.

For the wiring harness, some have reported that the Kia Canadian parts departments are only selling the 4-wire/4-pin flat harness and you have to splice into the vehicle harness for a universal 7-way round socket. The other option is to order the US part online for the 7-way round pin and socket that is plug and play, then get a $10 adapter if you also need the 4-pin flat. If all you need is 4-pin flat, Tekonsha sells a plug and play that is rater for higher amperage than the Kia one and much less expensive. (Curt also sells a 4-pin plug and play, but it may be the same amperage as the Kia one, but still much less.)

You can pay to have these installed by the Kia dealer if they offer it, or take the parts to a travel trailer dealer, or do it yourself. The installation is very introductory level and should not cost much if you pick the plug and play parts that do not require splicing.

 

[Numbersguy]

What bumper trim piece at the dealership are you referring to? That bumper cover is not required for the Curt 13420 that hangs below. If you purchased the Kia part for the hitch receiver that is not a 13420. The $5 hitch pin that comes in the Kia box is made by Curt but I don't believe the Kia OEM hitch receiver has anything indicating it is made by Curt.

This is the bumper cover I'm referring to. As for the Curt 13420, I'm not aware of a way to have it clear the bumper. If fact if you watch any videos from etrailer, they are always recommending that you cut a square piece out of the bumper to fit the receiver through. If you know a way, I'd be interested to find out. The drawtite trailer hitch is constructed so that the receiver will clear the bumper, if you prefer that manufacturer.

As for the harness, you are right, we can't get the 7 pin here in Canada. I was considering ordering from the USA but cost was pretty high and shipping isn't cheap.

 

[eg78]

Is there a way with either factory hitch or aftermarket to have a cover that goes over the hitch that installs in the gap on the bumper when not used? I dont want to see the hitch when I;m not using it.

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[Numbersguy]

Is there a way with either factory hitch or aftermarket to have a cover that goes over the hitch that installs in the gap on the bumper when not used? I dont want to see the hitch when I;m not using it.

I have heard that the stealth hitches allows you to remove the receiver which hangs down from the hitch behind the bumper. Its held in place with a pin. Take the pin out remove the receiver and the rest of the hitch is hidden behind the bumper. This set up also fits under the bumper so no cutting is needed I think.

For the Curt, the majority of the hitch is up under the bumper out of sight, the only piece you see is the receiver. here are pictures of mine.

 

[PittPa]

Is there a way with either factory hitch or aftermarket to have a cover that goes over the hitch that installs in the gap on the bumper when not used? I dont want to see the hitch when I;m not using it.

No. You would look into a Stealth brand hitch that is hidden. Please check this thread.

After market hitch

So, after all this great information about after market hitches, I called around to get an installation on the Stealth hitch, and was unable to find anything in my local area. So, the amazing Stealth people at the original Stealth site, did my installation yesterday. Just circling back around...

tellurideforum.org

 

[2020Telly]

This is the bumper cover I'm referring to. As for the Curt 13420, I'm not aware of a way to have it clear the bumper. If fact if you watch any videos from etrailer, they are always recommending that you cut a square piece out of the bumper to fit the receiver through. If you know a way, I'd be interested to find out. The drawtite trailer hitch is constructed so that the receiver will clear the bumper, if you prefer that manufacturer.

As for the harness, you are right, we can't get the 7 pin here in Canada. I was considering ordering from the USA but cost was pretty high and shipping isn't cheap.

Okay I see what you did. It's just hanging lower.