Can I Pull A 1,000 lb Trailer With A 2018 Kia Forte?

Updated 05/23/2024 | Published 05/13/2024

Question:

Etrailer sells a tow package for my 2018 Kia Forte however Kia says that this vehicle has no tow rating. Is it safe to tow maybe 1000 lbs with your tow package? thanks.

asked by: Ted W

Expert Reply:

Hello Ted. The owners manual for the 2018 Kia Forte pretty clearly states not to use the vehicle for towing. True, we do sell a 2,000 lb rated trailer hitch, the Curt # C11368 which fits the 2018 Forte. The 2,000 lb rating is minimum weight rating for any Curt hitch, and this does not mean that the vehicle is rated for towing 2,000 lbs.

I have a 2010 Corolla with a hitch on it and it is pretty much the same as the Forte in this regard. I have only ever used the hitch for a bike rack. Could I potentially pull a very light trailer with it? Yes. Would I? Absolutely not. I would be risking damaging the car, and also risking my safety as well as the safety of other motorists.

If there was an absolutely necessary need to pull a trailer, I would say 100-200 lbs total would be the max weight that I would attempt, and even then only for very short distances at very low speed.

I cannot in good conscience recommend that you attempt to pull a 1,000 lb trailer with your 2018 Kia Forte. The hitch should only be used for a bike rack or other hitch mounted accessory.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Ted W.

5/22/2024

Thanks for the honest response. Proves what I assumed in the first place. I will unfortunately need to trade that car in for something that can tow about 3000 lbs. Again, Thanks.