Adapter to Convert 2016 Kia Sorento Trailer Harness from 4-Pole to 5-Pole with Reverse Lockout

Question:

I have a 2016 KIA Sorento SX/V6 AWD with factory installed hitch and flat 4 pole connector. I need to have a surge brake lock-out for the boat trailer. What is the best way to accomplish this ? Replace the existing wiring harness ? Add an adapter ? Do you recommend anyone in the Winston-Salem NC area ? The dealer said they did not want to wire anything additonal because it is not factory.

asked by: Tim O

Expert Reply:

The simplest and most cost-friendly way to add a reverse light circuit to your 2016 Kia Sorento's factory-installed 4-pole wiring harness is to use an adapter. There are no 5-pole wiring kits offered for your car. We offer Tow Ready's 4 Pole to 5 Pole Trailer Wiring Adapter # 20036. This simple kit consists of a 20-inch 4-pole-to-5-pole adapter that will plug in to your existing 4-pole and a separate 60-inch blue wire with plug and quick-splice connector. This blue wire will connect to the Sorento's reverse light circuit to provide a reverse lockout signal to deactivate your boat trailer's surge coupler to allow you to back up the trailer.

You'll need to identify the reverse light wire at one of the taillight assemblies. The best way to do this is to test using a circuit tester like # PTW2993. You'll need a competent helper to sit in the car and shift it into reverse (with a foot firmly on the brake pedal) while you test the wires until you find the one that goes hot only when the car is placed into reverse. For your safety be sure to have the emergency brake on since the car will be in reverse gear while you're testing the wires.

Once you've identified the correct wire you will splice it to the blue wire included in the kit using the supplied quick-splice connector.

You may care to review the two linked videos. One illustrates how to operate the circuit tester and the other shows installation of this Tow Ready adapter kit in a 2015 model year vehicle. On this particular vehicle our technician needed to add some additional wire to lengthen the blue wire a bit. You can use # 12-1-1 or similar gauge wire to that which is on your car. Although specific vehicle construction details may differ from your Sorento, the basic process will be essentially the same.

We do not have affiliated installers we can recommend but if you should have any further questions before installation or any problems afterward, please do not hesitate to contact us again.