Recommended Trailer Hitch and Wiring for 2017 Kia Sorento without Tow Package

Question:

wanting to buy hitch and wiring for sorento. i read someplace that the rear has excessive sag with trailer attached and i was thinking about getting boosters for the rear shocks or suspension. do you have any suggestions?

asked by: Larry

Helpful Expert Reply:

We have everything you need to get your 2017 Kia Sorento set up for towing a trailer.

Starting with the trailer hitch, I recommend the Draw-Tite Class III Max Frame Receiver Hitch # 75908. This Class III hitch is confirmed to fit your Kia Sorento and will use existing holes in its frame for a no-drill installation. The hitch will provide you with a 2 inch receiver and it has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. You will also want to check your copy of the vehicle's owners manual for its specific capacity, as it is likely lower than what the hitch can handle. You will always need to follow whichever limit is lower, the vehicle's or the hitch's.

I have attached an installation video on your Sorento that you can use for reference.

Then for a trailer wiring harness that is designed to fit your vehicle that doesn't feature the factory tow package, I recommend the Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness # 118583. This custom-fit harness will install by connecting directly to built-in ports behind the driver and passenger side tail lights. This will give you a 4-Way connector to connect with and power a trailer's basic signal lights.

I have again attached an installation video on your vehicle for you to check out.

Finally, if you find that you have rear end sag on the vehicle when hooking up your trailer, the best solution is actually with a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancements like jounce springs or air bags are a great option if rear sag is a result of loaded cargo on the vehicle or a hitch mounted accessory like a heavy bike rack or cargo box, but when sag is happening from the tongue weight of a trailer, a weight distribution system works best.

In order to find a properly rated weight distribution system, you will need to determine the total tongue weight of your setup. This number includes the loaded tongue weight of the trailer (as if loaded and ready for a trip), along with any added cargo weight coming from behind the rear axle of your Sorento. Ideally, this number will fall somewhere near the middle of the operating range for the system you choose.

Using a tongue weight scale like the etrailer # e99044 is the most accurate method for determining your trailer's loaded tongue weight. Otherwise, if you can give me the GVWR of the trailer you will be towing, or happen to know its loaded tongue weight, I will be happy to make a specific recommendation. I have attached a great article on weight distribution systems that you can also take a look at.

You may want to first load your trailer and hook it up to your vehicle before deciding if anything else is needed. It's possible that the stories you read were simply a result of somebody putting more weight on the Sorento than what it is designed to handle.