How To: Full Tow Hitch Install

[2020Telly]

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!

Just curious if you got it installed and can post a picture.

 

[Huntsw1]

I will definitely post a picture as soon as it comes and I get it installed

 

[Huntsw1]

As promised. Here are some pictures. I am still trying to figure out how or if it's even worth it to trim the bumper plate to make it fit around the bracket. I don't think it looks bad without but would love to know what others would do

 

[Ettingercj]

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.

Yes I did mine as well, including the wiring harness which was one or two more simple steps. I did it by myself in about 2 hours as well, with the hardest part being putting a 40 lb chunk of metal in place over your head while laying down. Would have cut the time in half with another set of hands.

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[Ettingercj]

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.

Wiring harness was super easy to install. It’s basically removing one trim cover, plug, tape/bolt in place, replace cover, and play.

 

[2020Telly]

As promised. Here are some pictures. I am still trying to figure out how or if it's even worth it to trim the bumper plate to make it fit around the bracket. I don't think it looks bad without but would love to know what others would do

I would trim and put it back on. It’s a subtle cut. Looks great! If you trim it and like it then great. The worst that can happen is you don’t like it and get a replacement skid plate on eBay for $50 if you ever decide to remove the hitch.

 

[acoustical1]

Does anyone know if the after-market wiring harnesses function properly with the Smart Cruise Control? I had read about the recall and how the SCC wasn't sending a brake signal to the tow harness. There aren't many details other than the fix apparently included running a separate feed to the main fuse box. That's certainly not what happens when installing an after-market 4-plug wiring harness that uses a T-Connector. Just curious if anyone knows the answer to this?

 

[Huntsw1]

I would trim and put it back on. It’s a subtle cut. Looks great! If you trim it and like it then great. The worst that can happen is you don’t like it and get a replacement skid plate on eBay for $50 if you ever decide to remove the hitch.

You were right NCTelly. It looks great now. Thank you for all of your help

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[2020Telly]

Does anyone know if the after-market wiring harnesses function properly with the Smart Cruise Control? I had read about the recall and how the SCC wasn't sending a brake signal to the tow harness. There aren't many details other than the fix apparently included running a separate feed to the main fuse box. That's certainly not what happens when installing an after-market 4-plug wiring harness that uses a T-Connector. Just curious if anyone knows the answer to this?

The aftermarket harness plugs in the same way as the Kia harness. It all depends on whether your serial number falls within the range.

Here’s the original post
Thread 'RECALL 20V-436 - 2020 Telluride - Inoperative Trailer Brake Lights'
RECALL 20V-436 - 2020 Telluride - Inoperative Trailer Brake Lights

 

[2020Telly]

You were right NCTelly. It looks great now. Thank you for all of your help

Can you post a pic of the finished product with the skid plate? This may help all the folks looking at the non Kia hitch options to see a 7-pin round properly mounted below the bumper. Great job!

 

[Huntsw1]

This is what the finished product looks like when you go aftermarket hitch with the oem 7 plug harness

 

[pbcopter]

Does anyone have a clearer copy of the installation instructions for the QEM tow hitch?

I just received the Tow hitch and the instructions were missing. It seemed like the package had been opened, poorly repacked and resealed. Kia said they would order me an new hitch but this one took 2 months to get.

I downloaded the copy from Post #1 and I cannot read all of it.

Thank you.


Edit: I went to the dealer and they managed to find a clear copy for me.
Thanks to all that read this.

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[Ettingercj]

I would trim and put it back on. It’s a subtle cut. Looks great! If you trim it and like it then great. The worst that can happen is you don’t like it and get a replacement skid plate on eBay for $50 if you ever decide to remove the hitch.

There’s a deal on Amazon for OEM hitch.

Amazon.com: Kia New Genuine OEM Telluride Tow Hitch with Harness : Automotive

Buy Kia New Genuine OEM Telluride Tow Hitch with Harness: Box Hitch - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[aperry]

There’s a deal on Amazon for OEM hitch.

Amazon.com: Kia New Genuine OEM Telluride Tow Hitch with Harness : Automotive

Buy Kia New Genuine OEM Telluride Tow Hitch with Harness: Box Hitch - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Thank you! I just ordered it. Considering it includes the bumper cover and the harness (and free shipping), it seems considerably cheaper than any other option I could find.

 

[Ettingercj]

Thank you! I just ordered it. Considering it includes the bumper cover and the harness (and free shipping), it seems considerably cheaper than any other option I could find.

Yes I bought it months ago - for quite a bit more. I still had my price alert on it.

have fun it goes on pretty easy.

 

[aperry]

Unfortunately it seems that it was a pricing mistake. They canceled the order and now it's $592.

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[Ettingercj]

Unfortunately it seems that it was a pricing mistake. They canceled the order and now it's $592.

Uggghhh. Bastards!!! I think that I paid $592. Oh well.

 

[aperry]

Question for people who have installed the factory tow hitch: I'm near the finish line with the tow hitch in place and the mounting bolts installed finger-tight. Before I installed the vertical mounting screws, I noticed there was a decent amount of side-to-side play, like I could move the whole hitch left and right a little bit, maybe a quarter inch. It results in space between the mounting faces (hitch mount bracket and frame rail). With the hitch in place and all the bolts finger-right, I can almost fit a finger between the frame and the hitch mount bracket. All the holes line up perfectly, and everything else looks great, so it seems intentional. But I wanted to double-check before I torque all of the bolts. Maybe it's to make installation easier? A quick confirmation would be great appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Ettingercj]

Question for people who have installed the factory tow hitch: I'm near the finish line with the tow hitch in place and the mounting bolts installed finger-tight. Before I installed the vertical mounting screws, I noticed there was a decent amount of side-to-side play, like I could move the whole hitch left and right a little bit, maybe a quarter inch. It results in space between the mounting faces (hitch mount bracket and frame rail). With the hitch in place and all the bolts finger-right, I can almost fit a finger between the frame and the hitch mount bracket. All the holes line up perfectly, and everything else looks great, so it seems intentional. But I wanted to double-check before I torque all of the bolts. Maybe it's to make installation easier? A quick confirmation would be great appreciated. Thanks!

I didn’t notice anything like that when I installed mine. I would torque it up and look for any gaps. You should be fine.

 

[aperry]

I didn’t notice anything like that when I installed mine. I would torque it up and look for any gaps. You should be fine.

Thanks. I torqued them down and everything looks pretty good. This thing is pretty solid!