Trailer Hitch and Wiring Recommendations for a 2014 Kia Forte

Updated 09/08/2017 | Published 09/06/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"

(35)

$191.71

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(5)

$70.76

Curt Drawbar for 1-1/4" Hitches - 5-3/8" Rise, 6" Drop - 5-9/16" Long - 2K

(2273)

$29.73

Question:

I have a 2014 Kia Forte EX. I have a 400-500 pound trailer - it used to be a 1964 Apache tent trailer - tent is gone, just the aluminum box remains. The torque is only 154 @ 4700 on the Kia. Do you see any problem with towing this small, 2 wheel trailer? Also, the trailer tongue is about 17.5 inches high. Will the trailer hitch be high enough when installed? Thanks!

asked by: Diane

Expert Reply:

The owner's manual for your 2014 Kia Forte EX only states that they do not recommend towing a trailer. It doesn't say you can't but it also doesn't give any capacity information. But given that the weight of your trailer is all of 400 to 500 pounds even your small car would be fine towing it.

With Curt trailer hitch # C11368 installed the top of the receiver opening will be about 1 inch or so below the bottom of the rear fascia. Measure up from the ground to a point about 1 inch below the rear fascia on the vehicle. Then subtract that distance from 17.5. The result you get is the amount of rise you will need from a ball mount in order to tow the trailer level.

The Class I ball mount that offers the most rise is # C45028. It has a total of 5-3/8 inches rise.

For a trailer wiring harness you can use # 118594 to add a 4-Way flat connector to the rear of the vehicle.

expert reply by: Michael H