Kia Sportage Towing and Hauling
The Kia Sportage engine has the power to haul with an impressive towing capacity. The Sportage SUV can tow up to 2,000 pounds when fitted with the proper hitch and mounts. With a selection of towing and hauling parts for Kia Sportage, you can find the parts you need to start towing.
How do you attach a hitch for hauling?The tools you will need are lubricant spray, small wire brushes, a ratchet with an extension, sockets, a wrench, and a pry bar and wire or a support strap. Before beginning, make sure the vehicle is safely parked and will not be moved.
- You will need to lower the exhaust system temporarily while attaching the hitch. Working underneath the vehicle, wrap the wire or support strap around the exhaust pipe and secure the other end so it cannot fall. Circular rubber isolators hold the exhaust system on the vehicle, one on each side. Spray the rubber isolators with lubricating spray and pry off the bottom connectors. The support strapping should allow the exhaust to drop down but not fall off. Now you are ready to attach the hitch to the Kia.
- There are two predrilled holes on each side of the exhaust. Locate and thoroughly clean out the holes with lubricant spray and the small wire brushes.
- Hold the hitch in position over the mounting holes and bolt into place using the supplied hardware, and then torque to specified instructions.
- Raise the exhaust back into place, reattach both rubber isolators, and remove wire or support strap.
Hitches attach to couplers on RVs or other tow behinds, which vary in height, so ball mounts come in many lengths to compensate for the difference. To measure the size, have the vehicle and the tow behind on level ground and a tape measure.
- Measure the Kia. Start from the ground and measure to the top of the hitch receiver opening.
- Take a second measurement from the ground to the bottom of the tow behind coupler.
- If the hitch height is greater or higher than the coupler, you will need a ball mount with drop. Use this calculation to determine drop: car hitch measurement minus coupler measurement. For example, the hitch measured 15 inches, and the coupler was 10 inches, 15-10=5. The drop is 5 inches. You will need a ball mount with a 5-inch drop.
- If the coupler height is greater or higher than the hitch, you will need a ball mount with a rise. Use this calculation to determine rise: trailer coupler measurement minus car hitch measurement. For example, the trailer coupler measured 12 inches, and the hitch measured 10 inches, 12-10=2. The rise is 2 inches. You will need a ball mount with a 2-inch rise.