Can Trailer Wiring Harness to Routed to Outside of a 2016 Kia Sportage Instead of Cargo Area

Question:

Im looking at your Draw Tite 11/4 inch Hitch for KIA Sportage 2016 EX and the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector. The only thing missing that I can see, other than someone to install it, is a bracket for the plug. I noticed before that you did have some. Do you have one that will fit this plug and fit on this hitch assembly? FYI: I just bought your window shades and installed them. They look nice and you handled the broken ones, that I received in the first shipment, very professionally and timely. Thank you for your first class service

asked by: Arlene I

Expert Reply:

The way that the trailer wiring harness # 118526 and others for your 2016 Kia Sportage are designed negates the need for a mounting bracket. It stows in the cargo area of the vehicle and you pull it out when needed and shut the rear hatch on the wires. The weather stripping will protect it from damage as long as it isn't caught in any locking or latching mechanism.

To route this harness to the outside of the vehicle and permanently mount it you will need to follow an alternate installation method. Check in the very bottom of the cargo area, below the panels and carpet and anything else to get to the bare metal. Look for a grommet or any harness that goes from the inside to the outside of the vehicle that you could route the 4-Way through. If none exists you would have to drill a hole.

Once you have the 4-Way routed to the outside of the vehicle and over to the hitch seal up any holes with silicone. Then you can use bracket # 18144 with # C57202 to mount the 4-Way to the hitch.

expert reply by: Michael H