The 2023 Towing Saga Part 2 - Finally good news!

[don tujaka]

I won’t be able to until later today but I will get a measurement.

If your Telluride is an EX or SX trim could you please explain/verify what the tailgate latch exchange did? What is different?
Thanks J

Note: Considering KIA's solution to the fires caused by wet trailer light control modules mounted underneath the vehicle was to first simply remove the trailer light fuse (OK, that would prevent fires).... I am skeptical of their solutions. (The permanent solution, now in place, is the relocation of the module to the jack compartment inside the vehicle, a change which was only possible by relocating/changing the wiring harness to move the connection point from underneath the SUV to the jack location.) Not to slag Kia but one look at the new harness and the fuses taped to the harness and you can tell this was an on-the-fly change. I was Reading between the lines that this kit is only needed until October. I assume in October there will be a permanent fix in the units as they roll off the line.

 

[Pigdog]

141/2" with factory hitch on SX X-Pro.

 

[TellmeyourWHAT?]

141/2" with factory hitch on SX X-Pro.
View attachment 31768

Someone is gonna ask ...... was that 14 1/2" measure taken while up on the ramp?

 

[bennyhanna]

If your Telluride is an EX or SX trim could you please explain/verify what the tailgate latch exchange did? What is different?
Thanks J

Note: Considering KIA's solution to the fires caused by wet trailer light control modules mounted underneath the vehicle was to first simply remove the trailer light fuse (OK, that would prevent fires).... I am skeptical of their solutions. (The permanent solution, now in place, is the relocation of the module to the jack compartment inside the vehicle, a change which was only possible by relocating/changing the wiring harness to move the connection point from underneath the SUV to the jack location.) Not to slag Kia but one look at the new harness and the fuses taped to the harness and you can tell this was an on-the-fly change. I was Reading between the lines that this kit is only needed until October. I assume in October there will be a permanent fix in the units as they roll off the line.

So what you’re saying is that in October everything is subject to change. Again?

______________________________

 

[skeetermx1825]

If your Telluride is an EX or SX trim could you please explain/verify what the tailgate latch exchange did? What is different?
Thanks J

Note: Considering KIA's solution to the fires caused by wet trailer light control modules mounted underneath the vehicle was to first simply remove the trailer light fuse (OK, that would prevent fires).... I am skeptical of their solutions. (The permanent solution, now in place, is the relocation of the module to the jack compartment inside the vehicle, a change which was only possible by relocating/changing the wiring harness to move the connection point from underneath the SUV to the jack location.) Not to slag Kia but one look at the new harness and the fuses taped to the harness and you can tell this was an on-the-fly change. I was Reading between the lines that this kit is only needed until October. I assume in October there will be a permanent fix in the units as they roll off the line.

I think the long term assembly line fix (after October) will incorporate all of the same pieces (maybe reduce a few connection points) but mostly just streamline the installation procedure

 

[don tujaka]

I agree with skeetermx1825. My assumption was based on the Aug 31 dealer letter which contained, "Model Year 2023 and early MY 2024 (produced before October 2023) Tellurides will require Tailgate Latch replacement when installing a Tow Hitch to comply with testing standards." I'm guessing Kia will have the new tailgate latch installed as the new standard going forward. Everything else could then remain the same. I think, but am not certain, this also means there could be a brake controller connection point behind the drivers side fuse panel cover thereby eliminating the need to run additional wires for a controller. What I am still in the dark about is just what the new tailgate latch (power) does.

 

[merlin309]

Got my hitch (Curt) and wiring (from the Palisade) done (just before the new kit was announced).

Looks pretty good, but my OCD is kicking in and I might want to redo where I cut the hole for the 7 pin connector. Does anyone know the part number of that panel that had to be cut for the hitch (and often the 7 pin connector)? My google skills have been failing me.

Also, does anyone have a clue if the new panel with the integrated connector (as seen in post #212) would fit the Curt hitch? Anyone have a part number for this piece too?

Thanks!

Mark

 

[TellmeyourWHAT?]

Does anyone know the part number of that panel that had to be cut for the hitch (and often the 7 pin connector)?

Also, does anyone have a clue if the new panel with the integrated connector (as seen in post #212) would fit the Curt hitch? Anyone have a part number for this piece too?

The panel can only be bought as part of the announced kit. The panel shown in post #212 was part of that kit. There is NO separate part number for the panel as of yet and probably won't be one for many months to come.

______________________________

 

[bennyhanna]

I spoke to my dealer today. The hitches came in today. I have an appointment for the install on the 18th.

 

[merlin309]

The panel can only be bought as part of the announced kit. The panel shown in post #212 was part of that kit. There is NO separate part number for the panel as of yet and probably won't be one for many months to come.

About par for the course!

Thanks!

 

[Pigdog]

Someone is gonna ask ...... was that 14 1/2" measure taken while up on the ramp?

The panel can only be bought as part of the announced kit. The panel shown in post #212 was part of that kit. There is NO separate part number for the panel as of yet and probably won't be one for many months to come.

If properly done the homemade version looks better than the OEM imho. The OEM will cost 70 bucks and the waiting period will allow me to see if I care. The only way to see the cutouts anyway is in a position no one wants to be in.

-=Hint on the cover cutout=- Use the template to mark the corners of the cuts. Use a straight edge to mark a line between the marked points as a guide to cut along. Warm the vinyl cover a bit in the oven or use a heat gun. Once hot, a good pair of utility scissors to cut where you can get to, and a sharp knife for what you can't cut with the scissors, will make the job easer.

 

[daddy4daughters]

Called the dealer today to get a hitch ordered and I was told that they are no longer taking orders and you can't get on a list according to Kia. Anyone else having this issue or do I need to find a new dealer?

**Called another dealer and they got it order no problem. One week out. SMH

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[skeetermx1825]

I called my dealer yesterday to check on my order status and the guy on the phone told me ALL hitch orders were cancelled, after I screamed into the phone another parts guy next to him said No, No No, not his order, that's only for NEW Vehicle Hitch orders have been cancelled.

So....take that for what it is....I think it makes sense to serve the owners who've been waiting the longest, but KIA really needs to get their Parts and Sales guys educated asap....there's so much false information being told to customers....I also asked if my HItch order included the Rear Latch Fix parts, he was totally clueless about anything related to the rear latch..../ovey

 

[Steve828]

Just got mine done with all OEM parts at a kia dealership in Utah. Just over $1k installed. Looks great. View attachment 31765

That looks great! Do you know if they replaced the Tailgate Latch Assembly as well?

Also, which dealer did you have this done at? I'm in Utah as well!

 

[Jamchampnate]

That looks great! Do you know if they replaced the Tailgate Latch Assembly as well?

Also, which dealer did you have this done at? I'm in Utah as well!

How would I check to see if they replaced that? Doug Smith in AF.

 

[G-619673]

How would I check to see if they replaced that? Doug Smith in AF.

Sweet, that's where I bought my Telluride from!

Unfortunately I'm not sure how to tell if the tailgate latch assembly has been replaced.. and honestly I'm not even sure if/why it's supposed to be replaced. I was just wondering based on that corporate memo (mentioned in this thread) that Kia sent out to dealers which mentioned replacing the latch assembly as being part of the hitch installation process.

______________________________

 

[skeetermx1825]

How would I check to see if they replaced that? Doug Smith in AF.

parts should be listed on your work order...

 

[don tujaka]

Does anybody know just what the (Auto) Tailgate Latch Assembly does? How does it interact with the towing package? My guess is that there is a "feature" which prevents the tailgate from opening under certain conditions but there has been ZERO explanation from Kia.

 

[TellmeyourWHAT?]

Does anybody know just what the (Auto) Tailgate Latch Assembly does? How does it interact with the towing package? My guess is that there is a "feature" which prevents the tailgate from opening under certain conditions but there has been ZERO explanation from Kia.

No one on the forum here knows. We've been asking ever since the new package kit hit the scene. Perhaps a knowledgeable service manager might have the answer?

 

[don tujaka]

Maybe someone who has the new OEM kit installed on an SX or EX trim, which I think is ONLY available through a dealer and requires a dealer install (since it is a DIO)....maybe that person could ask for an explanation of how their vehicle tailgate now acts differently. A reasonable question to ask. Or, lacking an explanation from the dealer service department, could conduct a few experiments to investigate. Open/Close tailgate with remote, with tailgate mounted control, with the auto-open feature activated, with a trailer attached, while standing close to the tailgate to simulate an obstruction, etc. I am more curious than concerned but would not put it past a manufacturer to eliminate a feature due to a 0.1% security concern like the hatch opening while there is a bike in a hitch mounted bike rack. Could it possibly be sophisticated enough to use the rear camera or distance sensor to detect the presence of something and prevent the hatch from opening? Could that be part of the recent software automatic download. Why would that require a special latch? Curious minds want to know.