How To: Full Tow Hitch Install

[dwb913]

This weekend I installed Kia's telluride tow hitch on my S. Attached are the instructions they provided. I wouldn't call myself a grease monkey, the extent of my expertise stops generally after oil changes and tire rotations and other minor activities, but this was still fairly easy. It took me about 2 hours taking my time.

I wasn't looking to tow anything of consequence so I didn't get any of the connecting wire parts. I only plan on putting a bike rack on there.

Basically you take the spare off.
Remove the current bumper cover.
Take a couple of the exhaust hangers off.
Put the tow hitch in position
Put the bolts in
Put in the new bumper cover part (another part required to purchase)
Put spare in.
Good to go.

I purchased from a local kia dealer. The parts guy there was great. I called months ago and he told me he would hold the parts for me and call me as soon as he got them in. He did indeed. Paid a little more than some of the stores online, but he called me right away - last wednesday, picked it up on thursday, and installed on Friday. Shoutout to Chris in parts at Kia of Sussex.

I know a couple people having been asking for the full instructions and wondering if it was worth a quoted $900 or so. I would say if you are a little handsy and want to take your time, I would go for it and cut that cost down in half.

2023 is different and there's no harness for it yet. Do you have the optional towing shocks? They're designed to level the load

 

[2020Telly]

2023 is different and there's no harness for it yet. Do you have the optional towing shocks? They're designed to level the load

They don’t level the load the same that weight management and cargo placement would, they basically just level the ride. Real load leveling also distributes weight. These shocks counteract the weight imbalance to rise while driving. The same weight is resting over the rear suspension. In a sense, these shocks are solving the sagging problem but could be hiding a weight management problem that could become a safety concern.

 

[dwb913]

They don’t level the load the same that weight management and cargo placement would, they basically just level the ride. Real load leveling also distributes weight. These shocks counteract the weight imbalance to rise while driving. The same weight is resting over the rear suspension. In a sense, these shocks are solving the sagging problem but could be hiding a weight management problem that could become a safety concern.

I guess my question should be, aren't they a requirement by Kia for towing?

 

[2020Telly]

I guess my question should be, aren't they a requirement by Kia for towing?

Absolutely not required. The Kia towing capability is independent of these shocks. All Tellurides can tow 5,000 lbs max at a 500 lb max tongue weight. The more expensive ride comfort shocks do not make this different. I have an S with standard shocks and added AirLift Helper bags for under $125. The same self-leveling shocks sold on the Telluride are also sold on the Palisade as a ride comfort convenience feature, not a towing feature.

EDITED NOTE: The new 2023 tow mode in the X trim has a slightly different brake on the vehicle that advertises a 5,500 lb max capacity, but the tongue weight is still listed at a max of 500 lbs. So sticking to the common tongue weight is 10% of towing, you still are limited to 5,000 lbs even with the tow mode.

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[jG5jU0cK8yY4nX0eF5mW8eH7p]

Sorry, I read this entire 'thread,' but I'm still confused.

• What I have: 2022 Telluride without the towing package.
• What I want:
  • To install the OE hitch (this process seems straightforward)
  • Install 7-pin connector --> will my vehicle have the wires in the rear, to connect the harness that I'll buy, or will I need to run additional wires all the way to the front of the vehicle?
  • Install a brake controller --> will I need a wireless controller, or should I have wires under the dash if I want to use a wired controller?

 

[2020Telly]

Sorry, I read this entire 'thread,' but I'm still confused.

• What I have: 2022 Telluride without the towing package.
• What I want:
  • To install the OE hitch (this process seems straightforward)
  • Install 7-pin connector --> will my vehicle have the wires in the rear, to connect the harness that I'll buy, or will I need to run additional wires all the way to the front of the vehicle?
  • Install a brake controller --> will I need a wireless controller, or should I have wires under the dash if I want to use a wired controller?

For the 2022 Model Year your answers are:
- Yes you can install the OE hitch
- You can get the Kia OEM 7-pin harness for the 2022 and everything is there or go aftermarket to a self-resetting breaker
- You can pick
It doesn't matter if you got the towing package or not from the factory, all the above is true.

Things were different in 2020 which was lacking and now there's a recall and everything is up in the air for 2023 which apparently Kia tried to do too much. 2021-2022 with the 7-pin harness from Kia you are fine. All the vehicle wiring is pre-wired for an in-cabin pigtail wire that comes with the harness to do a wired brake controller and not have to run any extra wires, or you can go wireless.

 

[jG5jU0cK8yY4nX0eF5mW8eH7p]

For the 2022 Model Year your answers are:
- Yes you can install the OE hitch
- You can get the Kia OEM 7-pin harness for the 2022 and everything is there or go aftermarket to a self-resetting breaker
- You can pick
It doesn't matter if you got the towing package or not from the factory, all the above is true.

Things were different in 2020 which was lacking and now there's a recall and everything is up in the air for 2023 which apparently Kia tried to do too much. 2021-2022 with the 7-pin harness from Kia you are fine. All the vehicle wiring is pre-wired for an in-cabin pigtail wire that comes with the harness to do a wired brake controller and not have to run any extra wires, or you can go wireless.

Great, thank you for confirming!

 

[jG5jU0cK8yY4nX0eF5mW8eH7p]

For the 2022 Model Year your answers are:
- Yes you can install the OE hitch
- You can get the Kia OEM 7-pin harness for the 2022 and everything is there or go aftermarket to a self-resetting breaker
- You can pick
It doesn't matter if you got the towing package or not from the factory, all the above is true.

Things were different in 2020 which was lacking and now there's a recall and everything is up in the air for 2023 which apparently Kia tried to do too much. 2021-2022 with the 7-pin harness from Kia you are fine. All the vehicle wiring is pre-wired for an in-cabin pigtail wire that comes with the harness to do a wired brake controller and not have to run any extra wires, or you can go wireless.

One follow-up: For the 7-pin harness, which after-market options do people suggest? I read multiple comments about Curt being much cheaper, but I'm not finding that...what's the part number?

Are there other after-market 7-pin harnesses I should consider?

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[2020Telly]

One follow-up: For the 7-pin harness, which after-market options do people suggest? I read multiple comments about Curt being much cheaper, but I'm not finding that...what's the part number?

Are there other after-market 7-pin harnesses I should consider?

If you have a 2022 save yourself the need the splice and just get the Kia 7-pin or the Curt 56466. However, I know the Kia harness has the pigtail for the cabin for a wired brake controller, the pictures on the Curt site don’t show the pigtail. I suggest shopping from eTrailer and using their support, they are great at answering specific questions and their prices aren’t bad. After you get the wiring harness, for the brake controller, if you don’t want to install anything in your cabin this is a pretty slick stealth brake controller that mounts behind the rear bumper and goes inline with your 7-pin connection: Curt 51200. It combines the features of the very popular plugin one without the risk of being stolen. You can use a phone to manage it but it works by itself using motion and you can use your phone or buy a coin sized button for manual override in the cabin. Going with that brake controller or something at the 7-pin connection or trailer mounted you don’t need the pigtail in the cabin.

 

[jG5jU0cK8yY4nX0eF5mW8eH7p]

I called eTrailer, and they pointed me towards the Curt #C68JR.

Why not just go with OEM? What are the pros/cons/capabilities of:

• Kia OEM 7-pin (S9F67-AC500) ($147)
• Curt 56466 ($112)
• Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 7-Way Trailer Connector
  Item # C68JR ($162)

 

[alexdrums]

I called eTrailer, and they pointed me towards the Curt #C68JR.

Why not just go with OEM? What are the pros/cons/capabilities of:

• Kia OEM 7-pin (S9F67-AC500) ($147)
• Curt 56466 ($112)
• Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 7-Way Trailer Connector
  Item # C68JR ($162)

Always go OEM unless you can’t. So if you are getting a OEM hitch, verify it doesn’t come with the 7-PIN connector and pigtail already. You do need to buy an aftermarket brake controller, however, because Kia doesn’t make one. The pigtail connects the brake controller wires to the car.
I just mounted my brake controller on my fuse box lid…which could be replaced, if necessary.

 

[PellyTelly]

I just did the Curt hitch installation on a 2022 Telluride SX-P. Thought I would share my experience while the blood was still wet and my muscles still weak from bending in ways the human body is never ever meant to bend.

I watched every YouTube video and read everything I could and thought it would be easy. I even bought the tool to remove the exhaust hangers and some white lithium grease (both were in fact helpful). Nothing really new to report other than this is an absolutely horrendous job to tackle without a lift and an impact wrench. The 4 bolts that need to go in over the exhaust are damn near impossible to reach - be prepared to do by feel. It is all in and done and I am sure it will be fine but if you are at all on the fence about doing this, I would highly consider paying someone with the proper setup. It was about 3 hours for me and my 14 year old son who has now heard a variety of words from a part of my vocabulary he does not usually hear. Going to be sore in the morning...

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[PittPa]

I guess everyone is different in their ideas of what is difficult on auto mechanics. I would give it a solid 3 out of 10. Less than an hour, no impact wrenching just a good torque wrench with an extension.

 

[TellmeyourWHAT?]

I just did the Curt hitch installation on a 2022 Telluride SX-P. Thought I would share my experience while the blood was still wet and my muscles still weak from bending in ways the human body is never ever meant to bend.

I watched every YouTube video and read everything I could and thought it would be easy. I even bought the tool to remove the exhaust hangers and some white lithium grease (both were in fact helpful). Nothing really new to report other than this is an absolutely horrendous job to tackle without a lift and an impact wrench. The 4 bolts that need to go in over the exhaust are damn near impossible to reach - be prepared to do by feel. It is all in and done and I am sure it will be fine but if you are at all on the fence about doing this, I would highly consider paying someone with the proper setup. It was about 3 hours for me and my 14 year old son who has now heard a variety of words from a part of my vocabulary he does not usually hear. Going to be sore in the morning...

I guess everyone is different in their ideas of what is difficult on auto mechanics. I would give it a solid 3 out of 10. Less than an hour, no impact wrenching just a good torque wrench with an extension.

Comfort and lighting make a big difference. I know without a lift there is not a lot of room to be working up underneath the back. So little, that you really can't be using a creeper and neither any cushions. So you are left with working on hard concrete, unless you spread out a big furniture pad.
Lighting is THE most important aid, so a good bright LED drop-light is essential.

 

[Georgiagirl]

what do I need to have lights for a light weight trailer on a 2022 telluride came with tow package. It requires a 7 pin wiring harnessI think??

 

[pmolitierno]

Just had a S9F61-AU002 Hitch and S9F67-AC701 Harness/Controller installed at my local Courtesy Kia Dealership (Brandon, FL). Dealer has ZERO clue as to which bezel kit is correct and after a long and drawn out discussion, they went to the lot and found an AWD version of my vehicle w/ hitch installed by KIA MFG and provided it to me to put on my Telluride. The bezel P/N is S9F61-AU160 and does not fit correctly (tight on the harness plug side. I found somewhere else that mentions P/N SPF61-AU660 for this vehicle, but am very confused as they say they only stock one hitch part number for both AWD and FWD for all years and this bezel did in fact come off of a 2024. Hitch is on the Telluride, but no cover at the moment. Any idea or recommendation on where to find this information as the car looks incomplete without the bezel cover. Thanks!!

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[2020Telly]

Just had a S9F61-AU002 Hitch and S9F67-AC701 Harness/Controller installed at my local Courtesy Kia Dealership (Brandon, FL). Dealer has ZERO clue as to which bezel kit is correct and after a long and drawn out discussion, they went to the lot and found an AWD version of my vehicle w/ hitch installed by KIA MFG and provided it to me to put on my Telluride. The bezel P/N is S9F61-AU160 and does not fit correctly (tight on the harness plug side. I found somewhere else that mentions P/N SPF61-AU660 for this vehicle, but am very confused as they say they only stock one hitch part number for both AWD and FWD for all years and this bezel did in fact come off of a 2024. Hitch is on the Telluride, but no cover at the moment. Any idea or recommendation on where to find this information as the car looks incomplete without the bezel cover. Thanks!!

Post in thread 'The 2023 Towing Saga Part 2 - Finally good news!'
The 2023 Towing Saga Part 2 - Finally good news!