How To: Full Tow Hitch Install

[Telly944]

@Wiluride how was the wiring process? that is what i am most concerned about, or am I overthinking it? Just put a deposit down on an EX and I will probably order these parts in advance. Dealer would charge ~$750 but this seems straight forward enough.

Thanks

 

[Wiluride]

@Wiluride how was the wiring process? that is what i am most concerned about, or am I overthinking it? Just put a deposit down on an EX and I will probably order these parts in advance. Dealer would charge ~$750 but this seems straight forward enough.

Thanks

The wiring in the back is as simple as plugging in the cable/harness into a connector that is unused and just sitting there with a cap on it.. Then routing the cable to the point on the hitch where the 7-pin connector gets attached and securing the cable with zip ties and such.

To make full use of the 7-pin you'll need to connect a brake controller inside the cabin. There are basically four wires, that are all pretty standard stuff... power (12v), ground, brake signal ( from the Telluride signaling to the controller that the brake pedal has been pushed), and finally a brake output wire that goes all the way back to the 7-pin connector at the hitch... these four wires connect with a supplied cable.

All of this is pretty easy. Although in full disclosure I don't have a brake controller yet, nor an immediate need for one, so I haven't actually connected a controller... I have done some testing with a volt meter and understand what it will take to do that part, and know it's pretty easy

 

[Telly944]

@Wiluride thanks, that what I was hoping and gland I dont have to run up the subframe. Hoping to take delivery end of May so I will probably order the parts now to have ready.

 

[wolffaayyy]

I have a 2021 that came with the 7 pin. My brake controller was working great but suddenly will not turn on. I don't tow often so I unplug it and store it in the back when not in use. I tested the 12v at the factory harness and got nothing. Is there are fuse somewhere?

______________________________

 

[2020Telly]

I have a 2021 that came with the 7 pin. My brake controller was working great but suddenly will not turn on. I don't tow often so I unplug it and store it in the back when not in use. I tested the 12v at the factory harness and got nothing. Is there are fuse somewhere?

If it's not a fuse, it's possible the harness converter module went bad. That can happen from time to time. But you would rather the fuse or the converter module go bad instead of the vehicle wiring. I would think Kia would cover it for you.

 

[BigWes]

i just did the install last week piece of cake ill attach pics later

 

[Wiluride]

I have a 2021 that came with the 7 pin. My brake controller was working great but suddenly will not turn on. I don't tow often so I unplug it and store it in the back when not in use. I tested the 12v at the factory harness and got nothing. Is there are fuse somewhere?

There's at least one 30 amp fuse under the hood.

 

[wolffaayyy]

There's at least one 30 amp fuse under the hood.

Sure enough. I checked that one but I didn't notice the others. It was Trailer #2 if anybody else is looking. Thanks!

______________________________

 

[Wiluride]

Now that I look closer, I see at least Three 30 amp fuses labled as Trailer... Now, I'm very curious what each of them are actualy for.

I think there's a "auxilary power", then presumably a fuse that's between the power and the controller in the cab... and then there must be some sort of fuse between the controller and the 'brake' output at the rear harness.

 

[Wiluride]

On a related note, I was reading that it's preferable to have a self resetting breaker for the trailer brake output... One that will reset itself if the excess load goes away. This apparently in case the trailer brakes draw a bit too much current, that they might work and not exceed the limit if they weren't used so hard, and in a emergency situation you might still have some brakes. Where if a fuse blows, and can't reset, your hosed.


I wonder if a person could find a way to install such a self-resetting breaker somehow , by connecting in at that fuse box under the hood?

 

[2020Telly]

On a related note, I was reading that it's preferable to have a self resetting breaker for the trailer brake output... One that will reset itself if the excess load goes away. This apparently in case the trailer brakes draw a bit too much current, that they might work and not exceed the limit if they weren't used so hard, and in a emergency situation you might still have some brakes. Where if a fuse blows, and can't reset, your hosed.


I wonder if a person could find a way to install such a self-resetting breaker somehow , by connecting in at that fuse box under the hood?

YAY! Finally a benefit to having a 2020 with 7-pin hardwired with a breaker over a 2021 with factory 7-pin harness. No need to keep a handful of $5 fuses in the glove box.

 

[2020Telly]

My 2020 fuse box only has one 30A Fuse marked Trailer and it is the one marked #1 on the 2021 picture above. I’m guessing #1 is for the standard wires that use the 4-flat. Then for #2 and #3 one is used for the remaining power for the 2 out of the 7-way going to the back, and the other fuse is for the brake controller connection in the cab. The remaining 7th wire may just be from the brake controller harness back to the 7-way round to send signal to the trailer.

______________________________

 

[firesurf]

Just had the same shop that did the 2" lift install it

 

[RogersMJ]

I ordered the OEM hitch and bumper cover for around $400 shipped; I'm just installing a bike rack so I don't need the wiring harness. I thought about doing it just to do it "right" in case I did ever want to hook a trailer up...but someone explain to me why adding this little cable results in $101 in shipping

Even the "free shipping" ones on eBay are like $183, which means that at best it costs over $40+ to ship this bundle of wires with a couple connectors on it. WTF?

 

[PittPa]

I have warned others of these crazy shipping cost, I saw this when I was ordering my hitch. I ordered a Curt wiring harness for my 2020 Kia that used just the 4 pin. I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't come out one for the 2021 7 pin. And I paid around $20 with free shipping from Amazon.

 

[Bills8]

I have warned others of these crazy shipping cost, I saw this when I was ordering my hitch. I ordered a Curt wiring harness for my 2020 Kia that used just the 4 pin. I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't come out one for the 2021 7 pin. And I paid around $20 with free shipping from Amazon.

This is what I did as well - OEM hitch and bumper cover from a parts store and then Curt 4 pin wiring harness from Amazon. I think I paid more like $37 or so though.

______________________________

 

[PittPa]

This is what I did as well - OEM hitch and bumper cover from a parts store and then Curt 4 pin wiring harness from Amazon. I think I paid more like $37 or so though.

I found it in the "used" sales from Amazon warehouse. I'm cheap like that. But really, I always look there first, usually the box is messed up but the item is new.

 

[GoBucks1234]

Hi All,

I just wanted to post my experience installing Kia's Tow Hitch on my 2021 Telluride.

As already mentioned, the 2021 is prewired with a 7 pin connector in the rear driver's side quarter panel while the 2020 is 4 pin only.

I have attached all the instructions in a more legible document.

Here's what I ordered from Kia:
S9F61-AU060 – Tow Hitch Bumper Cover
S9F61-AU000 – Tow Hitch
S9F67-AC500 – 7 Pin Wiring Harness. (Includes Part S9F67-AC060 4-pin under dash pigtail for wired brake controller)

Total was about $680.

I installed the hitch on my own in about 3.5 hours. The hitch is reasonably heavy at about 30 lbs I would estimate.
A couple of notes:
The 4 pin brake controller connector is way up under the dash behind the steering wheel and Fuse box column. To find it I really had to get down and underneath the dash. It’s the only connector there and can’t be confused with anything else.

The pre-wired 7 pin connector is already in the driver’s side rear quarter panel from the factory. It is hidden behind a large black plastic cover that will need to be removed. The 7 pin harness that you buy just plugs right into that 7 pin connector.

Recommended Tools:
8, 10, 17 and 19 mm Socket (these larger sockets are not as common for socket sets)
13/16” Socket.
Ideally, these sockets have some sort of well (i.e. deep well) to them or when tightening the bolts stop the nuts from being fully tightened.
Multiple Socket extenders.
Torque Wrench between 50 and 100 lb-ft (make sure it is lb-ft and not lb-in).
Obviously, a whole set of standard tools, screw drivers, wrenches, etc…
Two small screwdrivers for removing the plastic clips.
Jack stands and a jack.

And Bungee cords as you will need to lower the exhaust system. I was able to manually lower the exhaust using just a screwdriver and a lot of force on the rubber attachments.

All and all, everything went well and I would think this is a task most people could do in a day, with all the parts and tools. If you have questions, let me know.

 

[2020Telly]

Great write up! One correction that may trip people up:

The pre-wired 7 pin connector is already in the driver’s side rear quarter panel from the factory.

It’s actually a 12-pin connector ready with 7 wires pre-connected to the vehicle harness on the 2021. The same 12-pin connector exists on the 2020 with fewer wires for the brake controller and power.

In the 2020 12-pin you have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 pre-wired (wire #8 is not used by the 4-pin towing harness but can be tapped for the 7-pin trailer harness retrofit)
In the 2021 12-pin you have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 pre-wired

Pin #7 on the 2021 connection appears to go to the cab to connect to a wired brake controller
Pin #12 on the 2021 connection supplies auxiliary power

2020 connector:
Trailer Wiring

Comparison of 2020 to 2021 wires present on 12-pin connection:

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

To retrofit a 2020 with 7-pin non Kia, you just run a hot power from the battery with a breaker in place of pin #12 and if you use a wireless brake controller then you don't need pin #7.

 

[GoBucks1234]

@2020 Telly,
You are correct and also very good information.
The prewired connector in the rear drivers side quarter panel is actually designed for 12 wires, but as you mentioned only 7 wires are actually wired to it and it seems to serve no other purpose than to connect to the 7 pin trailer harness. Attached is a photo of that 12 pin connector before I hooked up the 7 pin harness for anyone interested in what it looks like.

Also, I did my first tow yesterday with success. For my wired brake controller, I got a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 (not endorsing anything) and mounted that by the hood release near where my left foot rests while driving. I connected/soldered the pigtail wires that came with the P3 to the pig tail connector part AC060 and connected that to the 4 pin connector under the dash.