Can 2000 Kia Sportage with Manual Transmission be Flat Towed  

Question:

Expert Reply:

I took a look at the online owner's manual for your 2000 Kia Sportage and was able to find that the manual transmission model can indeed be flat towed behind an RV with all four wheels on the ground. I do recommend verifying this information in your copy of the owner's manual, along with reading through the specific steps and parameters to take before proceeding.

In order to flat tow your vehicle, you will need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, a lighting solution and a supplemental braking system.

Starting with the base plates, I recommend the Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit # 2104-1. These are custom-fit for your Sportage and feature a hidden bracket design and an all-steel construction for exceptional strength.

For a compatible tow bar, I recommend the Roadmaster Falcon 2 # RM-520. This is a great tow bar that has extra-long telescoping arms that will allow for better maneuverability and easier towing. It has a weight capacity of 6,000 pounds. Then for safety cables you can use the Roadmaster 68 Inch Single Hook # RM-643, which features the same 6,000 pound capacity.

For a lighting solution, I recommend looking at the Optronics Magnetic Tow Lights # TLL21RK. These magnetic lights will give you the required signal lights on your vehicle without having to tap into any existing wiring.

Then for a supplemental braking system, I highly recommend the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR. This is a great, proportional system that will physically press down on the brake pedal in your Sportage at the same time and with the same intensity that you apply to them in your RV.

Lastly, you will likely need a high-low adapter in order to keep your tow bar level. I have included an article that explains how to choose the correct one, along with a link that will take you to our available selection. I have also attached video demonstrations and installation details for the products mentioned and an exellent article on flat towing that you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Chris R

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