How Can I Transport My Mobility Scooter on My 2009 Kia Spectra?  

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From the information I have on your mother's 2009 Kia Spectra, her vehicle has a maximum tongue weight rating of 200 pounds. With that maximum vehicle rating, even if there was a hitch receiver rated for over 200 pounds, you would still need to abide by that 200-pound maximum capacity of the vehicle. With that being said, unfortunately, the only hitch we carry for her vehicle is the Curt Hitch - 1-1/4" # C11679. In order to make sure that your mother's Spectra has a maximum weight capacity of 200 pound of max tongue weight, I always recommend confirming that capacity with your Kia owner's manual.

Even though the maximum tongue weight for her vehicle is 200 pounds, you may have enough gross towing weight capacity available to tow a small utility trailer with the Curt Hitch # C11679. For this route, I recommend the Detail K2 Mighty Multi Utility Trailer - 6' Long - 1,295 lbs # K2MMT4X6. With this utility trailer, it has a max payload capacity of 1,295 pounds. In order to determine the gross towing capacity of the trailer with your mom's scooter loaded, you simply add the weight of her scooter to the 305-pound weight of the trailer itself. If this weight falls under the vehicle's gross towing weight capacity, then you are good to go! Since the rear gate doubles as a ramp, you can load the scooter easily onto the trailer's platform.

With the Mighty Utility Trailer, there are a few additional components you need. First off, you need a 1-7/8" ball like the 1-7/8" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome # C40002. It is important to note that each ball mount requires a different diameter shank on the ball in order for the ball to fit the mount. As far as the mount, since the coupler of the trailer stands at 16 inches tall from the ground, you most likely need a rise/drop on the mount itself in order to make the trailer connection as even as possible. I went ahead and linked a product page of all our available rise/drop ball mounts that fit 1-1/4" hitch receivers. I also recommend cam buckle straps like the # IMF12637 to hold the mobility scooter in place during transport.

In addition to those components, you also need a 4-way vehicle wiring harness to activate the trailer's taillights. If the Spectra does not have one already, I recommend the Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # HM11143924. Since the trailer comes with a 4-way connection already, you do not need to worry about equipping any wiring on the trailer's side of the setup.

If you decide to go with the utility trailer, it is extremely important to confirm the Spectra's gross towing weight capacity with the Kia owner's manual.

expert reply by: Bob C

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