Flat Towing a 2021 Kia Soul

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(4189)

$432.95

Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional

(282)

$1525.75

Blue Ox Avail Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 10,000 lbs

(612)

$862.22

Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 7-Way to 6-Way Coiled Adapter Cord

(2903)

$146.94

Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles

(1051)

$40.94

Question:

Just bought a Kia Soul 21 with a manual transmission. I see that you sell parts to flat tow this car, but the owners manual indicate that this model is not intended for flat towing, where as earlier year models were. Can you validate that flat towing a 2021 Soul with a manual is OK? I tried a couple dealerships - they dont know. I called corporate Kia - they couldnt place me with a specialist. Thanks.

asked by: Chuck A

Expert Reply:

We have items available for flat towing a Kia Soul because depending on specific specs of each vehicle some are able to be flat-towed. We always defer to the recommendation that our neighbors follow their vehicle specific guidelines. If your vehicle specific owners manual states that your 2021 Kia Soul is not to be flat-towed then I would be cautious about attempting to do otherwise.

From information available to me a manual transmission equipped 2021 Kia Soul can be flat-towed with certain conditions and must be a FWD vehicle, same for the FWD DCT (7 speed) all other configurations can not be.

For more in depth information, there are at least 7 transmission options available for the 2021 Kia Soul within the options of FWD, AWD, RWD, Hybrid and electric vehicles. Within just the FWD option there is configurations of a CVT, Manual, Automatic 6 speed, Automatic 8 speed, and DCT transmission option(s) and within the DCT option itself there is a 7 speed and an 8 speed choice. Of all these possible configurations, from current information available, only two configurations can be flat-towed. The FWD models with a manual transmission or a 7 speed option DCT transmission. All other configurations should not be flat-towed.

If you need a tow package, what we have available is listed as follows:

I suggest the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit, # BX2727 as it is a confirmed fit for 2021 Kia Soul models.

The Blue Ox Avail Tow Bar, # BX7420 is a great tow bar that is easy to use with self-aligning arms that telescope to automatically center and lock in place.

For lighting, I suggest the Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit, # RM-15267. Please note the attached installation video for this product. This will splice into your taillight wiring to allow your tow vehicle to control the taillight assemblies of the towed vehicle. This comes with a round 6-way connector that you will install on the front of your towed vehicle and enough coiled wire to go from there to the RV.

For supplemental braking that is required by law, I suggest the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR, this will apply the vehicles brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

The Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles, # RM-156-25.

Most likely you will also need a high low adapter so that the tow bar will be level when you are flat towing. Please see the attached links and help articles.