Weight Distribution Hitch for 2014 Kia Sorento Towing Trailer With 460 lb Tongue Weight

Question:

Purchasing new T@b 400, which has tongue weight of 400# dry, 460# loaded, dry weight 2,690 and GAWR of 3,500#, which is more than current pop-up we currently tow, needless to say. Tow vehicle is 2014 Kia Sorento SX-L FWD, 3,500 towing capacity per mfr specs, with Draw-Tite class III receiver hitch. Rear suspension of Kia is soft and sags with pop-up, therefore looking at weight distribution hitch for new T@b. After reading far too much info, I am confused and concerned about using WDH with Kia being unibody, and equally concerned about towing without WDH. Question is, is WDH safe with Sorento, and if so, which would be a good choice? Thanks

asked by: Terry P

Expert Reply:

I took a look at the owners manual for a 2014 Kia Sorento and there is no mention of avoiding a weight distribution system that I could find; the only note resembling something similar was to "consider sway control." That said, contacting your Kia dealer just to make sure may be a good idea.

As for the weight distribution system itself, to choose the best system, you will first need to know your total tongue weight (TTW), which is the tongue weight of your fully loaded and ready to go trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your 2014 Kia Sorento. The tongue weight is typically between 10% and 15% of your trailer's GVWR but you'll want to verify it by using a scale such as the etrailer # e99044 or by using one of the methods outlined in the help article on determining tongue weight I've linked for you.

From there, simply add on the weight of the cargo behind the rear axle of your vehicle and you'll have your TTW. The ideal system would be one in which your TTW would fall somewhere in the middle of the weight distribution system's tongue weight capacity.

An educated guess is possible from the numbers you gave and a TTW in the 500 lb range seems likely. If that was the case a great option for you would be the Reese Strait-Line # RP66083 which has a TTW capacity of between 400 lbs and 800 lbs, prevents sway before it begins and will allow you to back up with the system on. This weight distribution system will require a hitch ball, either # A-90 for a 2" ball or # 19286 for a 2-5/16" ball.

I've added a link to video reviews of this system for you to take a look at.