How To: Full Tow Hitch Install

[2020Telly]

If you do the wiring, please do share. I had the tow hitch installed by dealer at time of purchase for about $700 (included labor), since I didn't have tow package. I passed on the wiring though, but probably a good idea to do at some point.

If all you need is the 4-pin the two options on etrailer.com cost $40 and is a very easy DIY and there is even a video. https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-tekonsha-trailer-wiring-2020-kia-telluride-118784.aspx

 

[Martin Kodiak]

If you do the wiring, please do share. I had the tow hitch installed by dealer at time of purchase for about $700 (included labor), since I didn't have tow package. I passed on the wiring though, but probably a good idea to do at some point.

Do not have the dealership do it. They only install the 4 plug hookup. Just go to a reputable tow shop and have a full hookup in. If you are towing anything heavier than 1600 pounds you will need the 7 pin anyways.

 

[Kwim]

If 4 pins are already installed, then it is not difficult to redo: you need to stretch the line from the battery and replace the socket on the tow-bar from 4 to 7.
This is in case the brake controller is wireless.

 

[2020Telly]

Most aftermarket 7-way round upgrade kits require you to have the 4-pin flat connection already and it makes sense for a cleaner install. If not they will require all the wires be spliced.

If you pick the upgrade that lets you plug the 4-pin into the 7-way, that’s 4 less wires you have to splice. The ground plus three additional make up the 7 wire connection and those wires don’t go through the 4-pin converter box on the harness. If you plan it right you can upgrade without wasting money. And if you plan to use a wireless brake controller you will use the 4-pin with a 7-way connector but will not use two of the wires. You will plug the 4-pin into the back of the 7-way, connect the ground, then supply a dedicated 12v on a 30Amp circuit breaker to the battery leaving two wires unused on the 7-way. Using the 4-pin harness allows you to use as much of the vehicle's wiring to minimize or eliminate the need for splices.

So if you plan to use a wireless brake controller:


Option 1: You can spend the extra to have an installer connect 7 wires because there is no harness for the 2020 Telluride. You would buy something like the Hopkins HM40975-11998 for $75 and spend more money and time for a professional installation to splice into your vehicle wiring in 5 places, run a wire to the cab for the wired brake controller, and attach a ground. And hope that the splices don't mess with your vehicle's wiring and the installer figured it out correctly. And if you use the wireless brake controller you won't actually need a couple of the wires. So you will spend over $100 in parts and materials and more labor to have 7 wires spliced or run. The added benefit is that you then have a wire in your cab to connect up a traditional wired brake controller and you can choose between wired or wireless. Assume $150 in labor that brings you to $250.

Or

Option 2: You can put the 4-pin harness for $40, buy an upgrade kit for $85 that includes the circuit breaker and wire. So you could spend $125 parts and materials and pay someone to install and run run 1 wire to the battery, splice 1 wire into reverse and run wire wire to the cab but you will still be left with 2 you won't need if you run the wireless brake controller. In the end fewer splices is still better than 5 with option 1. This allows you to use the vehicle's wiring as much as you can and still gives you the option to choose between wired or wireless brake controller. Assume $100 in labor that brings you to $225.

Or

Option 3: You can put the 4-pin harness for $40, buy a 7-way adapter for $17 and run just one 12-gauge wire (~$10 plus connectors) with 30-Amp circuit for $6 to the battery. So you could spend as little $100 in supplies and do it yourself only running 1 wire with a 30-Amp circuit and you are left with a clean install and no splices with only the wires you need connected to run a wireless brake controller and you can tow a trailer with an e-brake. The only downside is that you are forced to go with a wireless brake controller, but if you change your mind, there are only 2 wires that need to be connected. Assume $100 for a DIY for no splices.

Even if you paid someone to install Option 3, then assume $50 in labor to run one wire that brings you to $150. You still end up with no wires spliced into the vehicle's wiring harness and the time and materials will be much less than a barebones 7-way adapter install.


Green - Right turn - used by both 4-pin flat and 7-way round
Yellow - Left turn - used by both 4-pin flat and 7-way round
Brown - Running lights - used by both 4-pin flat and 7-way round
White - Ground - used by both 4-pin flat and 7-way round
Red (sometimes black) - 12V hot lead - only used by 7-way round for both wired and wireless brake controller
Blue - Brake power - only used by the 7-way round with wired brake controller
Purple (sometimes also yellow) - Reverse lights - only used by a 5-way or 7-way round with wired brake controller

Or Option 4: Trade in your 2020 Telluride and order a 2021 and wait for the est. $200+ 7-way harness from Kia.

IMPORTANT: If you plan to tow on a trailer that has more non-LED light bulbs on it, don't bother with the Kia OEM 4-pin flat harness that sells for $180. It's more expensive than the $40 aftermarket options and gives you a lower Amperage rating. I was forced to because the aftermarket choices weren't out yet. You will be overspending by about $140 for a converter box that is rated for fewer Amps than the Curt or Tekonsha branded choices available now. In my opinion there is no reason to buy the $180 Kia OEM 4-pin harness anymore.

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[alexithegreek]

Thanks for the detailed breakdown everyone. My 2021 is coming next friday!

 

[WaxZ28]

Does anyone know on the 7-pin if these two leads remain active to the battery when the ignition is off?

White - Ground - used by both 4-pin flat and 7-way round
Red (sometimes black) - 12V hot lead - only used by 7-way round for both wired and wireless brake controller

I'm hoping to trickle charge the battery through the trailer connector rather than having to open the hood or try and wire a pigtail somewhere in the back, thanks!!

 

[2020Telly]

Does anyone know on the 7-pin if these two leads remain active to the battery when the ignition is off?

White - Ground - used by both 4-pin flat and 7-way round
Red (sometimes black) - 12V hot lead - only used by 7-way round for both wired and wireless brake controller

I'm hoping to trickle charge the battery through the trailer connector rather than having to open the hood or try and wire a pigtail somewhere in the back, thanks!!

If your run the wires to the battery then the answer is yes they are hot and you can use it for the trickle charger. But if you are running through the 2021 harness, likely not.

 

[SangariaSXNF]

I have a 2021 with the 7 pin harness. I decided to buy a wireless brake controller that plugs in between the trailer plug and hitch receptacle and uses a phone as the in cab control box. It isn't cheap at $225 but better than running a bunch of wires and having to mount a control box on the dash or console IMHO.

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[Huntsw1]

Does anyone have a link to the 7 pin harness for the 2021? I have a 2021 but couldn't get one with the tow pkg. I am hoping this harness is plug and play and then I just need to install the hitch and wireless brake controller

 

[2020Telly]

Does anyone have a link to the 7 pin harness for the 2021? I have a 2021 but couldn't get one with the tow pkg. I am hoping this harness is plug and play and then I just need to install the hitch and wireless brake controller

Based on this post: Towing

I think the part you need is S9F67AC500:

S9F67AC500 Genuine Kia Tow Hitch Harness 7 Pin

Genuine S9F67AC500 Tow Hitch Harness 7 Pin fits 2020-2022 Kia Telluride. KiaPartsNow offers S9F67AC500 for $165.43.

www.kiapartsnow.com

or

S9F67-AC501 - Tow Hitch Harness 7 Pin Genuine Kia Parts

This genuine Kia OEM part # S9F67-AC501 - Tow Hitch Harness 7 Pin for your

www.genuinekiaparts.com

There should even be a Hyundai or Genesis equivalent part number.

 

[Huntsw1]

Thank you. I was able to find that part. Does that include the plug that the wireless controller will plug into next to the hitch? Or do I get that part somewhere else?

 

[2020Telly]

Thank you. I was able to find that part. Does that include the plug that the wireless controller will plug into next to the hitch? Or do I get that part somewhere else?

I can only suspect because I haven't put my eyes on it, but I think that part number includes 2 cables. One is the 7-pin round that gets installed next to the hitch 2" square receiver and goes back to the 12-pin molex style connector behind the rear left wheel. If you order the tow option or two package from the dealer on a 2021 that gets pre-installed. The other cable is the one that goes in the cabin and is used to power up the traditional style aftermarket wired controller at a location of your choosing. I don't think that gets installed, I think they just supply it in the glove box in case you want to use it.

If you have a 2021 that did not come with the tow option (nor the tow package), I think this is what you need to add the tow option yourself with a wireless brake controller:

• S9F67AC500 - 7-pin harness for 2021 only (~$150)
• S9F61AU000 - Hitch Receiver (2020 or 2021 for ~$290)
• S9F61AU060 - Bumper cover for Telluride (2020 or 2021 for ~$50)
• Aftermarket Wireless Brake Controller (something like a Curt Echo or a Tekonsha Prodigy RF)
• Highly Recommended - Make sure whatever you are towing has a weight distribution system and even anti-sway bar
• Optional - aftermarket 7-pin round to 4-pin flat adapter if you plan to ever tow something small without a brake, or a trailer with hydraulic (non-electric brakes), these are normally about $10
• Optional - hitch tightener or silencer, usually around $20 and not required but it dampens some of the rattle noise of the hitch when driving
• Optional - you could have the hitch welded to the frame rather than bolted
• Optional - if you want to prevent rear sag (will not substitute weight distribution) you can get an air bag lift system

If you go with all the optional stuff above, I believe you have a superior towing solution to the towing package from Kia with the OEM look. At a minimum, the parts for the 2021 tow option can be had for $490 and DIY installation is not impossible.

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[Huntsw1]

Can't tell you how much I appreciate the detailed response. I just got concerned because S9F67AC500 in that picture you posted was a small cable and not a whole wiring harness. I am assuming the rest was already installed on the vehicle. Will go ahead and order S9F67AC500.

I bought the curt hitch just now off etrailer. Will S9F61AU060 work with it or is that only for the factory hitch and I just need to trim out the bumper for the curt hitch?

 

[2020Telly]

Can't tell you how much I appreciate the detailed response. I just got concerned because S9F67AC500 in that picture you posted was a small cable and not a whole wiring harness. I am assuming the rest was already installed on the vehicle. Will go ahead and order S9F67AC500.

I bought the curt hitch just now off etrailer. Will S9F61AU060 work with it or is that only for the factory hitch and I just need to trim out the bumper for the curt hitch?

You actually don't need the bumper cover if you ordered a Curt hitch. The Curt Hitch will mount below the bumper. The bumper cover panel will need to be trimmed (the bumper cover for the Kia Hitch replaces this panel). You may want to also pick up a bracket for the 7-pin round like a Hopkins 48625 (48615 might not fit the Kia round connector), optionally zip ties will work fine and can be hidden behind the bumper. But if you do plan to use a wireless brake controller, I recommend a bracket. The Curt hitch for the Telluride may not include a ball mount like the Kia one does. So if you don't have a 2" ball mount you will need that along with a hitch ball. Since it is below the bumper you could consider flipping the ball mount so that the ball will sit higher. Please take a picture of the harness when you get it in the mail and post for others to see in the forum. Good luck!

 

[Huntsw1]

So I have everything installed and the harness plugs in easily. I couldn't figure out a good way to cut the trim panel to accommodate the 7 pin and the hitch. Right now it only looks ugly if you look from below the car (see pic) Do you have a link for the bracket for the 7 pin plug that can attach to the curt hitch? Right now only one plastic screw is holding it up that used to be used for the trim plate and I am worried it won't hold the wireless brake controller well.

Does anyone have a link for the bumper cover that would accommodate the hitch and 7 pin for a nice clean look?

 

[2020Telly]

So I have everything installed and the harness plugs in easily. I couldn't figure out a good way to cut the trim panel to accommodate the 7 pin and the hitch. Right now it only looks ugly if you look from below the car (see pic) Do you have a link for the bracket for the 7 pin plug that can attach to the curt hitch? Right now only one plastic screw is holding it up that used to be used for the trim plate and I am worried it won't hold the wireless brake controller well.

Does anyone have a link for the bumper cover that would accommodate the hitch and 7 pin for a nice clean look?

Google Search

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[Huntsw1]

Thank you. I guess any of the universal ones should work. Does the kia trim plate cover work with a curt hitch? If so, do you happen to know the part number?

 

[2020Telly]

Thank you. I guess any of the universal ones should work. Does the kia trim plate cover work with a curt hitch? If so, do you happen to know the part number?

It does not work. The Curt hitch sits just below the bumper. You have to trim a little piece off but you reuse the cover that was there. The Kia hitch receiver sits higher than the Curt.

 

[2020Telly]

@Huntsw1 if you are concerned about stability of the Echo when in the 7-pin round there is this option:

Google Search

You definitely want the Echo to remain level so the triple axis accelerometer can do its job.

This might also work: CURT Connector Bracket Mount for 7-Way Bracket (Packaged)-57202 - The Home Depot

 

[Huntsw1]

Thank you so much! I ordered the 58000 as I think that will be the most stable. I did not even think before about the importance of keeping the echo level. Thanks again!