How To: Full Tow Hitch Install

[Wiluride]

I'm in exactly the same situation except I have a 2020 FWD S. But my needs are identical. I just have a slightly more complicated path to get the 7-pin on the back than you. I guess my pain is your gain. Don't forget though, if you borrow someone else's trailer you still need a brake controller. The e-brakes on the trailer won't work without one. I think that's one of the points that Kia and dealers are missing to point that out to buyers new to towing.

Yeah, so, the one thing I can't really seem to find the solid answer to... is, exactly how can you connect a controller inside the cabin of a 2021, which would make full use of the Kia OEM 7-pin wiring.

One would think that if they have wires that connect the 7-pin right into factory wiring, that there would be some way to wire a controller inside the cabin, without having to drill holes in the firewall, etc... So far, I haven't found a answer to this, other than the 'wireless' aftermarket things, but that seemingly defeats the propose of having 7-pins on the trailer harness directly connected into the main vehicle wiring.

 

[2020Telly]

Yeah, so, the one thing I can't really seem to find the solid answer to... is, exactly how can you connect a controller inside the cabin of a 2021, which would make full use of the Kia OEM 7-pin wiring.

One would think that if they have wires that connect the 7-pin right into factory wiring, that there would be some way to wire a controller inside the cabin, without having to drill holes in the firewall, etc... So far, I haven't found a answer to this, other than the 'wireless' aftermarket things, but that seemingly defeats the propose of having 7-pins on the trailer harness directly connected into the main vehicle wiring.

This wire plugs directly into your 2021 in the cabin behind the lower dash panel under the steering wheel. Then you connect it to your brake controller at an mounting point of your choosing.

Towing

Hi - I know there are a lot of threads here related to towing. I recently purchased my Telluride and am looking to hooking up tow hitch so I can eventually purchase a small camper trailer (likely less than 2,500 lbs). I've read on here that the tow hitches I can get at the dealership are a...

tellurideforum.org

Look at the image with pages 6-7.

The wireless aftermarket solution still needs the 7-pin to get power and brake signal at the hitch. The only thing the separate mini harness is used for is to connect the wired brake controller to the 7-pin connection.

 

[Wiluride]

This wire plugs directly into your 2021 in the cabin behind the lower dash panel under the steering wheel. Then you connect it to your brake controller at an mounting point of your choosing.

Towing

Hi - I know there are a lot of threads here related to towing. I recently purchased my Telluride and am looking to hooking up tow hitch so I can eventually purchase a small camper trailer (likely less than 2,500 lbs). I've read on here that the tow hitches I can get at the dealership are a...

tellurideforum.org

Look at the image with pages 6-7.

The wireless aftermarket solution still needs the 7-pin to get power and brake signal at the hitch. The only thing the separate mini harness is used for is to connect the wired brake controller to the 7-pin connection.

Well, good or bad I went ahead and ordered the 7-pin OEM connector(s) , hitch, and bumper cover... seems I have to wait a bit over a week to actually get it.

Meanwhile, I guess I'll , have to order a 7-pin to 4-pin adapter thing, and then also figure out if I want to try and obtain and wire in a Brake Controller right away, or wait and figure that out when I have an actual need for a 7-pin setup with controller.

 

[Wiluride]

Here's what I found under the dash of my 2021 Telluride S AWD, just behind the fuse box. I'd say there's an extremely good chance that's where you connect the brake controller.

I'm not sure if there's any fuse in line, or where you would put a fuse if it's not built into the wiring already.

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[2020Telly]

Here's what I found under the dash of my 2021 Telluride S AWD, just behind the fuse box. I'd say there's an extremely good chance that's where you connect the brake controller.

I'm not sure if there's any fuse in line, or where you would put a fuse if it's not built into the wiring already.

That's it. Stop making the 2020 owners jealous!

 

[Dew]

https://www.autozone.com/trailer-hitch-hitch-balls-and-towing-accessories/trailer-hitch/draw-tite-trailer-hitch-76420/1060709_0_0

I just installed this yesterday on my 2021 LX. One thing of note, the passenger side of this hitch only has One bolt that goes through the frame horizontality. I didnt realize that till I looked through the provided parts. Then I looked at the receiver itself, yep, just one horizontal hole in the hitch over the muffler. Two vertical though. Weird that this would be the case, as the others that I have seen have two on each side.

The hitch does push slightly on the bottom of the fascia. It comes with a little cutout for you, but I think it said 1/2 inch*5&1/2inch. And so I went ahead and attached with no cutting. It looks fine. Im thinking I may take my heat gun and put some heat on it and just let it mold a bit to the hitch.

 

[qwikhit]

Pics please

 

[Dew]

Pics please

The first picture actually makes the panel look "Worse" than it is. I cant really tell with my naked eye.

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[qwikhit]

Looks good

 

[dp600]

Hello Everyone. I'm new to the forum and have been digging through information for our 2020 Telluride on trying to hook up a 7-pin trailer connector. I am wanting to avoid a wireless brake controller and therefore understand that I need to run a few wires to replicate something similar to what is now provided on the 2021 for the brake controller(4 wire connection). My question is more on the 12 pin factory connection at the rear of the vehicle that is missing pin 7(brake control) and pin 12(aux. power). Does anyone have a wiring schematic that shows or know were the pin 12(aux power) is coming from on the 2021 model? I know there is a 30 amp circuit for pin 1, but for some reason the 7-pin trailer harness when using the Kia Harness(S9F67-AC500) needs 2 separate 12V supplies for pin 1 and 12 that I am assuming is done to try to avoid overloading the circuit because it would be nice to just add pin 12 by splicing to 1. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wiluride]

Well, almost 3 weeks after ordering my Kia hitch parts, they finally arrived. Apparently one of the 3 items had to be ordered, or something like that. Initially I was led to believe I would be about 1 week of waiting. I probably won't get time to do the install until the weekend, but at least I got the parts

 

[PittPa]

Well, almost 3 weeks after ordering my Kia hitch parts, they finally arrived. Apparently one of the 3 items had to be ordered, or something like that. Initially I was led to believe I would be about 1 week of waiting. I probably won't get time to do the install until the weekend, but at least I got the parts

It's very straight forward with no surprises. Fits perfectly and we'll made. You will be happy.

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[Wiluride]

Ugh... one of my rail weld nuts has got something preventing a bolt from threading through fully. So now I got to buy a tap/chaser... nothing is ever truly easy. Grumble, grumble, grumble...

At least I followed the directions and learned of this issue before I tried to actually connect the hitch.

 

[Dew]

Ugh... one of my rail weld nuts has got something preventing a bolt from threading through fully. So now I got to buy a tap/chaser... nothing is ever truly easy. Grumble, grumble, grumble...

At least I followed the directions and learned of this issue before I tried to actually connect the hitch.

I find that hard to believe. There is nothing Inside those beams.

Edit: did you try shining a light through the hole?

 

[Wiluride]

I find that hard to believe. There is nothing Inside those beams.

Edit: did you try shining a light through the hole?

There's something stuck on/in the threads.

It's apparently so entirely possible that in the instructions they warn you about the possibility and suggest a solution of using a M10 X 1.25 thread chaser.

I'll be heading to Harbour Freight in the morning to buy a tap and die set to clean it up ( assuming it's possible to do without extraordinary effort ) . L

 

[Dew]

There's something stuck on/in the threads.

It's apparently so entirely possible that in the instructions they warn you about the possibility and suggest a solution of using a M10 X 1.25 thread chaser.

I'll be heading to Harbour Freight in the morning to buy a tap and die set to clean it up ( assuming it's possible to do without extraordinary effort ) . L

Fair enough, didn't include the welding debris possibility.

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[Wiluride]

Fair enough, didn't include the welding debris possibility.

I'm just really glad I discovered it before I had the hitch all lifted up and such.

Normally I'm not one to follow instructions, but I had some challenges when I put a hitch on my Sorento and figured I'd read and try to follow instructions on the Telluride. I'm still frustrated but glad I did test the viability of these before hand.

 

[Wiluride]

Well, I paid $15 for a 40 piece metric tap & die set from Harbor Freight, just to get a M10 X 1.25 tap. ( no one locally sold just the tap alone). I cleaned up all four of the 'chassis rail weld nuts', which allowed all for of the M10 bolts to easily thread in with fingers.

All the hard work is done... even with the gunked up frame rail nut this was much easier than when I put a Curt aftermarket hitch on a Sorento a couple years ago.

I'm definitely impressed with the Kia OEM hitch. In my opinion it's well worth the extra money I paid over the cost of the typical aftermarket hitches. The Kia hitch just fits well and doesn't hang any lower than needed, it's also got the built in bracket for the wiring harness connector.

 

[PittPa]

Exactly how I felt. No other aftermarket hitch sits as high. Looks integrated with the the cover that goes with it. You didn't actually buy the tap either, the $15 fee was just a loaner fee until you return it! Seriously though, I know that Autozone loans out many items like these. (probably because they know its coming back the next day if its purchased). Great job.

 

[Wiluride]

Ultimately the clean factory installed look, and virtually no loss of departure angle is why I choose the Kia parts.