The 2023 Telluride Towing Saga - Adding some data and pictures, and it's not great news

[Techmerlin]

Just got my tow hitch installed. All OEM done at a a kia dealership in Utah. Just over $1k. Expensive but looks great. View attachment 31761

Got part numbers on your invoice?

 

[G-659166]

I was in a local dealership this week and the parts department could not supply the plastic center plate (that fits around the oem hitch) as a single part. It's packaged with the tow hitch as part of a kit and not available (says he). If anyone has a part number for just that - the plastic center plate that is molded around the tow hitch - please share!

Interestingly that kit also includes a new rear hatch latch.

I also installed the '22 hitch on mine, with the Palisade wiring from Canada because I didn't want to wait. I haven't yet cut down the original plastic center panel but may do this week.

 

[nlm4501]

I took a pass on my 2023 SX Prestige when the order came in because no towing was on it. My salesperson called me an said towing packages were now available and they had a 2024 SX X Line if I wanted it. It had everything I needed so I said sure. Everything looks and functions great .. don't know about the 2023 models but at least they seem to have a fix going forward.

 

[dwb913]

Hi all! Former 2022 and and now new 2023 SX-P owner here! I wanted to add some hard data to the 2023 Towing Hitch saga. I only know this because my 2022 was totaled by an F150 about 2 weeks ago, and I managed to jump on a 2023 SX-P X-Pro. Here's what I can add for you:

1. It appears by all accounts that the 2022 aftermarket tow hitch bar itself will fit. Just this week, E-trailer has changed the '23 Telly status to reflect that the Draw-Tite/Reece/Curt tow bar (hitch) made by Horizon Global will fit the '23. This can be confirmed on E-trailer's website, along with Reece, and Draw-Tite. I will not make any personal representations as I don't own this hitch (or any right now). This hitch is sold under Draw-Tite part number 76420, Reece part number 84420, and Curt part number CQT76420.

Now - this does NOT mean that the factory 2022 hitch will be compatible with the 2023 bumper cover. It only means that it should fit. Here are some pictures of the mounting places of my '23 for you to compare to.

Left Side mounting points of the 2023 SX-P X-Pro:
View attachment 28458

Right side mounting points of the 2023 SX-P X-Pro:
View attachment 28460

2. It appears that the 2022 wiring harness will most definitely NOT fit the 2023, at least not on the SX-P X-Pro. Here are some pictures comparing the 2022 harness to my 2023 connectors. The 2020-2022 Tellurides had a dedicated connector to plug in the towing harness, whereas the 2023 does NOT have the same connector. In fact, it looks like the towing harness for 2023 will need a pass-through style design.

Picture from e-trailer video showing where to plug in the 2022 style harness (note two connectors):
View attachment 28462

2020-2022 Wiring Harness Picture (note the style of the female harness circled):
View attachment 28463

Picture from my 2023 SX-P X-Pro harness location (note there is only 1 connector now):
View attachment 28464

Pictures of the mating sides of the 2023 connector:
(Side leading towards the rear taillights, etc.):
View attachment 28465

(Side leading to the front of car):
View attachment 28466

3. I can guarantee that the 2022 tow cover will NOT fit the 2023 SX-P X-Pro. The shape is completely different.
Picture of the 2020-2022 rear bumper where the tow cover would reside:
View attachment 28467

Picture of the 2023 SX-P X-Pro:
View attachment 28468

Sadly, it seems we are going to need to go full aftermarket, or wait until the saga completes from Kia and we know how to order the factory parts.

Thanks!
Tyger23

I was informed this past summer that Kia has finally issued a light harness for the 2023 telluride but I haven't ordered one yet. I'd love to see where it's going to hookup

______________________________

 

[dwb913]

E-trailer.com makes a non invasive harness for the 23 . No cutting and splicing. These clip onto the wires and detect current. Also Kia recently came out with a harness for the 23

 

[dwb913]

thats awesome, but again its so ridiculous that owners of a $50,000 vehicle are having to tear apart their cars to do this! ive done trailer hitch installation and wiring before, but its been all plug and play.. again i cant believe they havent come out with a fix for this yet!! im moving my new vehicle search to something that can actually tow like it states, right off of the lot!

I fought my dealer about this issue got $3000 back. Now I am told Kia just came out with a harness for the 23.

 

[Bilt.K5]

I was in a local dealership this week and the parts department could not supply the plastic center plate (that fits around the oem hitch) as a single part. It's packaged with the tow hitch as part of a kit and not available (says he). If anyone has a part number for just that - the plastic center plate that is molded around the tow hitch - please share!

Interestingly that kit also includes a new rear hatch latch.

I also installed the '22 hitch on mine, with the Palisade wiring from Canada because I didn't want to wait. I haven't yet cut down the original plastic center panel but may do this week.

part numbers:

 

[2020Telly]

I was in a local dealership this week and the parts department could not supply the plastic center plate (that fits around the oem hitch) as a single part. It's packaged with the tow hitch as part of a kit and not available (says he). If anyone has a part number for just that - the plastic center plate that is molded around the tow hitch - please share!

Interestingly that kit also includes a new rear hatch latch.

I also installed the '22 hitch on mine, with the Palisade wiring from Canada because I didn't want to wait. I haven't yet cut down the original plastic center panel but may do this week.

Part number for bumper plate in this post:

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

______________________________

 

[G-520714]

 Etrailer has a FAQ that lists a wiring harness for the 2023. It mentions that there is a wiring harness located behind the driver's-side interior trim panel in the rear cargo area. Can anyone confirm if this is accurate?

Yes, it is located on drivers side compartment where the Jack is located over the left tire wheel well.

 

[dwb913]

Hi all! Former 2022 and and now new 2023 SX-P owner here! I wanted to add some hard data to the 2023 Towing Hitch saga. I only know this because my 2022 was totaled by an F150 about 2 weeks ago, and I managed to jump on a 2023 SX-P X-Pro. Here's what I can add for you:

1. It appears by all accounts that the 2022 aftermarket tow hitch bar itself will fit. Just this week, E-trailer has changed the '23 Telly status to reflect that the Draw-Tite/Reece/Curt tow bar (hitch) made by Horizon Global will fit the '23. This can be confirmed on E-trailer's website, along with Reece, and Draw-Tite. I will not make any personal representations as I don't own this hitch (or any right now). This hitch is sold under Draw-Tite part number 76420, Reece part number 84420, and Curt part number CQT76420.

Now - this does NOT mean that the factory 2022 hitch will be compatible with the 2023 bumper cover. It only means that it should fit. Here are some pictures of the mounting places of my '23 for you to compare to.

Left Side mounting points of the 2023 SX-P X-Pro:
View attachment 28458

Right side mounting points of the 2023 SX-P X-Pro:
View attachment 28460

2. It appears that the 2022 wiring harness will most definitely NOT fit the 2023, at least not on the SX-P X-Pro. Here are some pictures comparing the 2022 harness to my 2023 connectors. The 2020-2022 Tellurides had a dedicated connector to plug in the towing harness, whereas the 2023 does NOT have the same connector. In fact, it looks like the towing harness for 2023 will need a pass-through style design.

Picture from e-trailer video showing where to plug in the 2022 style harness (note two connectors):
View attachment 28462

2020-2022 Wiring Harness Picture (note the style of the female harness circled):
View attachment 28463

Picture from my 2023 SX-P X-Pro harness location (note there is only 1 connector now):
View attachment 28464

Pictures of the mating sides of the 2023 connector:
(Side leading towards the rear taillights, etc.):
View attachment 28465

(Side leading to the front of car):
View attachment 28466

3. I can guarantee that the 2022 tow cover will NOT fit the 2023 SX-P X-Pro. The shape is completely different.
Picture of the 2020-2022 rear bumper where the tow cover would reside:
View attachment 28467

Picture of the 2023 SX-P X-Pro:
View attachment 28468


Sadly, it seems we are going to need to go full aftermarket, or wait until the saga completes from Kia and we know how to order the factory parts.

Thanks!
Tyger23

I've been through the gamut of this whole saga. I even got $3000 back from the dealership for misrepresentation. Kia America quoted that they wouldn't honor my warranty if I used an aftermarket wiring solution. However, they did contact me months later claiming they have a solution now. I haven't looked into that because I no longer have my boat. I did get the mechanical hitch from etrailer and it fit just fine. If you're looking for a wiring harness from Kia, contact a dealer. I did try an etrailer harness they claimed would work on the 23 but it won't so I'm selling it at 50% off. $50

 

[edlagace]

?

 

[NRS]

Just got my tow hitch installed. All OEM done at a a kia dealership in Utah. Just over $1k. Expensive but looks great. View attachment 31761

New forum member... hello! . I was also taken a bit back that the '23 Prestige/X-Pro I just acquired (seemingly had every package available) didn't come with a tow bar/package. Bad to assume I guess. I did however buy the vehicle online from a dealership in another state (trade-in at a BMW/Land Rover dealership) and shipped it out to CA... price was $5K+ lower than anything with under 10K miles out here. Didn't even think to ask if it had the bar because all KIA (marketing) talks about is the upgraded towing capacity on the on the X-Pro. Ridiculous!

Any way, good to hear they actually have a kit now. This set up in the picture looks great. Can I bother anyone for the part/kit number(s)? Thx in advance!

______________________________

 

[dwb913]

Hi all! Former 2022 and and now new 2023 SX-P owner here! I wanted to add some hard data to the 2023 Towing Hitch saga. I only know this because my 2022 was totaled by an F150 about 2 weeks ago, and I managed to jump on a 2023 SX-P X-Pro. Here's what I can add for you:

1. It appears by all accounts that the 2022 aftermarket tow hitch bar itself will fit. Just this week, E-trailer has changed the '23 Telly status to reflect that the Draw-Tite/Reece/Curt tow bar (hitch) made by Horizon Global will fit the '23. This can be confirmed on E-trailer's website, along with Reece, and Draw-Tite. I will not make any personal representations as I don't own this hitch (or any right now). This hitch is sold under Draw-Tite part number 76420, Reece part number 84420, and Curt part number CQT76420.

Now - this does NOT mean that the factory 2022 hitch will be compatible with the 2023 bumper cover. It only means that it should fit. Here are some pictures of the mounting places of my '23 for you to compare to.

Left Side mounting points of the 2023 SX-P X-Pro:
View attachment 28458

Right side mounting points of the 2023 SX-P X-Pro:
View attachment 28460

2. It appears that the 2022 wiring harness will most definitely NOT fit the 2023, at least not on the SX-P X-Pro. Here are some pictures comparing the 2022 harness to my 2023 connectors. The 2020-2022 Tellurides had a dedicated connector to plug in the towing harness, whereas the 2023 does NOT have the same connector. In fact, it looks like the towing harness for 2023 will need a pass-through style design.

Picture from e-trailer video showing where to plug in the 2022 style harness (note two connectors):
View attachment 28462

2020-2022 Wiring Harness Picture (note the style of the female harness circled):
View attachment 28463

Picture from my 2023 SX-P X-Pro harness location (note there is only 1 connector now):
View attachment 28464

Pictures of the mating sides of the 2023 connector:
(Side leading towards the rear taillights, etc.):
View attachment 28465

(Side leading to the front of car):
View attachment 28466

3. I can guarantee that the 2022 tow cover will NOT fit the 2023 SX-P X-Pro. The shape is completely different.
Picture of the 2020-2022 rear bumper where the tow cover would reside:
View attachment 28467

Picture of the 2023 SX-P X-Pro:
View attachment 28468

Sadly, it seems we are going to need to go full aftermarket, or wait until the saga completes from Kia and we know how to order the factory parts.

Thanks!
Tyger23

I have a brand new, in original package, wiring harness for the 21-22 telluride. Paid $95 will sell for $50