Tongue Weight and Towing Capacity of 2020 Kia Telluride

Question:

The Kia Telluride manual is ambiguous. There is a section that implies the vehicle’s max Tongue Weight is 351 lbs. It is unclear if that number is that of the vehicle’s TW or the factory tow hitch max rating. This Curt aftermarket tow hitch receiver that hangs lower than the bumper is rates for 750 lbs TW and max towing capacity of 5,000 which is what the Telluride’s advertised max towing capacity when properly equipped. When Curt rates the 750 lbs is that done when attached to the vehicle? If so does that mean that the max tongue weight of 351 in the manual can be ignored because the Curt rating takes into account the frame and suspension when calculating load?

asked by: NCBT

Expert Reply:

Those are really good questions so I took a look at the owner's manual of a 2020 Kia Telluride and it does state that the towing capacity is 5,000 lbs (if the trailer has brakes) and the tongue weight capacity is 351 lbs (which is oddly specific).

That figure is for the vehicle, so no matter what trailer hitch you put on it, the maximum tongue weight for a '20 Telluride is 351 lbs because you always need to go by the lowest-rated component when towing.

The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13420 is rated for 5,000 lbs towing and 750 lbs of tongue weight, but you still need to abide by rating stated in the owner's manual, which is 351 lbs.

I have added a link to the written instructions to the Curt hitch for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Kyle S