Trailer Hitch

[Sundi]

Purchased 2020 Telluride to tow small camper 3000 dry up to 4500 lb and hitch installer wanted waiver signed due to 351 tongue weight. That night I emailed Kia complaint, Marketing option, and next day received call stating it was an error, should be 500 lbs, and Kia working on corrections including door jam stickers. I was at work and asked for email confirmation, but it didn't arrive. A different hitch installer had Telluride experience, everything in stock, 7 pin hard wire brake controller in stock. Glad during my read I also noticed you must have 1200 miles before towing, maybe that's normal. RV dealer installed a weight distribution kit which and I'm bit concerned how heavy that thing alone is. I can't open tailgate more than a foot without hitting the camper power tongue hitch lift and and not sure car is charging the RVs batteries when drove 6 hours home. I really like the car, but wish I knew what I do now.

 

[Steve in Denver]

If you have questions about whether the trailer battery is charging, have the place that installed it check to verify. If you have a multimeter and are comfortable using it, measure the voltage at the camper battery, it’s with and without the 7 pin harness connected (with the telluride running) you should see a higher voltage (about 13 volts or more) when it is hooked up than when disconnected (less than 13 volts). It’s not the absolute numbers you should pay attention to, but the difference between the two. I’d look for at least 0.5 volts differential.

I’m shooting from the hip here on the numbers, so maybe someone with more experience can weigh in.

two things:

1. Disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle when not running forlong periods of time....otherwise you risk the trailer draining the tow vehicle battery.

2. the wiring and the connectors may not be rated for as much current as you might draw - for example, if you have an electric (12v) refrigerator running and a drained battery, the load might be higher than what is intended For the wiring/connector. I’d guess they are rated for 20 amps, maybe 30.

 

[jeffo65]

Well, it still requires upgrading to a 7 pin connector, and getting a brake controller installed, but I did receive this response from Kia Consumer Assistance regarding the tongue weight issue...

Thank you for your patience while we review your concern and gather the appropriate information. We have confirmed the correct tongue weight is 500 lbs. Our teams are working to have the owners materials properly updated with this correct information.
Thank you again for allowing us the time to research this. We hope you enjoy your Telluride!
Please let us know if we may be of any further assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Kia Motors America

Have you ever received an official note from Kia that actually shows the 500 pounds tongue weight?

 

[jw_tx21]

Have you ever received an official note from Kia that actually shows the 500 pounds tongue weight?

Yes.

PS 637 - Pitstop Tech Op 201903 - Maximum Towing & Tongue Weight Update

TELLURIDE MAXIMUM TOWING UPDATE TONGUE WEIGHT UPDATE For now a copy of a pic of a copy o_O, will update with better once posted on NHTSA.ogv site

tellurideforum.org

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[jeffo65]

Yes.

PS 637 - Pitstop Tech Op 201903 - Maximum Towing & Tongue Weight Update

TELLURIDE MAXIMUM TOWING UPDATE TONGUE WEIGHT UPDATE For now a copy of a pic of a copy o_O, will update with better once posted on NHTSA.ogv site

tellurideforum.org

I have seen that, but it says that owners and dealers will receive notice. I have yet to receive anything from Kia and my local dealer has not received anything either.

 

[FadaBeans]

My trailer had surge brakes. I need to find the reverse light wire. I will be installing a 7 pin plug but really only need 5 pins so I can back the trailer up. Once again where do I find the reverse wire I was able to find it on my Sorrento left rear interior trim panel. Behind the emergency fuel door release panel.

 

[FadaBeans]

My trailer had surge brakes. I need to find the reverse light wire. I will be installing a 7 pin plug but really only need 5 pins so I can back the trailer up. Once again where do I find the reverse wire I was able to find it on my Sorrento left rear interior trim panel. Behind the emergency fuel door release panel.

 

[FadaBeans]

My boat trailer has surge brakes with a 5 pin flat connector. I found that it has a hole on both sides of the tongue that you can push a ¼ inch bolt through which stabilizes the tongue when backing up to keep the brakes from locking up. Obviously it must be removed when towing the boat but it allows you to back to the launching ramp or back it into the garage. My Telly SX with towing package pulls my 5000 lb rig just fine and the trailer surge brakes and lights work normally with the 5-pin connector plugged in to the Kia factory 4-pin connector. I just need to put the bolt through the tongue when I need to back up. I have no trouble with trailer sway or overheating on the highway at 60 mph and fairly steep grades are handled with no problems. The transmission downshifts intelligently on grades with minimal loss of speed.

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[Steve in Denver]

What driving mode do you guys use when towing? I haven't looked in the manual yet to see if it specifies something or not. Also, when going up grades, do you often use the shifter to select (and hold) specific gears, or do you let the transmission do its thing? Also, does anyone have any way to monitor transmission temps (either through some special menu in the control screen, or through an OBD scanner or similar?)

 

[Sparky120]

What driving mode do you guys use when towing? I haven't looked in the manual yet to see if it specifies something or not. Also, when going up grades, do you often use the shifter to select (and hold) specific gears, or do you let the transmission do its thing? Also, does anyone have any way to monitor transmission temps (either through some special menu in the control screen, or through an OBD scanner or similar?)

I purchased an after market tranny cooler, as there isn't one from the factory. Which is a disappointing but a way for them to save money.

 

[AJQTelluride]

Anyone here tried to install theirs from uhaul? I'm worried about the quality and worksmanship of the install.

 

[eric5899]

Considering a 2021 Telluride. Noticed in the model year changes that the tow package will now be a 7 pin connector. I assume that means it will also get an integrated brake controller. It will be legal to pull the rated 5000#. Glad they addressed it.

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[eric5899]

I am considering a 2021 Telluride. Noticed in the model year changes the tow package will now include a 7 pin connector instead of a 4. I assume that also means it has an integrated brake controller. Glad they addressed the issue. It will be legal to tow the rated 5000#s now.

 

[alexdrums]

I am considering a 2021 Telluride. Noticed in the model year changes the tow package will now include a 7 pin connector instead of a 4. I assume that also means it has an integrated brake controller. Glad they addressed the issue. It will be legal to tow the rated 5000#s now.

No brake controller, sorry.

 

[NREVANS]

ok, so does the towing package of the telluride come with a transmission cooler or not? the 2020 model. i don't think anyone has given an answer to this.

 

[2020Telly]

ok, so does the towing package of the telluride come with a transmission cooler or not? the 2020 model. i don't think anyone has given an answer to this.

The Telluride has a transmission cooler that will allow towing 5,000lbs standard. This is only advertised on vehicles that require an upgrade transmission cooler that is added in their tow package like some minivans.

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