Kia Telluride Factory OEM Hitch and 7 Pin Connector Installation

I recently purchased a 2022 Telluride. Although I wanted the factory tow package, I wasn't willing to wait for months to order a car with everything I wanted. I was able to find a car in the color/trim level that I was looking for but it didn't have the factory tow package. In this video, I show the installation of all of the OEM parts to add the hitch. The only thing that's not added is the self-leveling shocks that come with the factory tow package option. The following parts were installed:
Kia OEM Tow Hitch - S9F61 AU000
Installation hardware - S9F61-AU030 (if not included as kit/bundle)
7 pin Wiring Harness - S9F67 AC500
Tow Hitch Bumper Trim - S9F61 AU060
Sellers on Amazon and Ebay sometimes bundle these parts together but you can also purchase them separately.

[@Gubsminator]

There is a special place in heaven for people like you

[@trentgray9457]

This is possibly the best and most thorough video I’ve watched on KZbin. Thanks for your clear video and great explanation. I ordered the Telluride hitch and am actually installing on a 2023 Palisade. I wanted to mention, the hitch I ordered (S9F61-AU000) did not come with the hardware. I had to order the hardware separately and the part number for that is S9F61-AU030…thought you might add that to your list. Thanks again!

[@PIFDIY]

Thanks Trent, great info! I added the hardware kit part number to the video description. Thanks for the kind words. Good luck!

[@matthatter93]

Did it fit the 2023? I am assuming if it fit the 23 it will also fit the 24

[@nprez83]

I literally never comment on videos, but just wanted to say thanks for such a great tutorial. I bought the hitch on eBay and unfortunately it came without instructions, so your video was extremely helpful.

[@PIFDIY]

Thanks @nprez83. I know what it's like to stumble on a video that helps me with a project. I really think that's the best thing about KZbin. I'm glad it helped !

[@mikeg3529]

For anyone with a 23-up telluride who wants to self install a hitch and is getting danced around by Kia dealers with the trailer harness converter, you can aquire one from hyundai for the 23-up palisade and it will work! All the kia dealers by me told me it had to be ordered...also, every dealer I called for it named a different price for the same exact part. (It looks like they mark it up by whatever amount they choose). Ive also heard people say thier kia dealer refused to even sell harness by itself, and insisted it needed to be purchased with the complete hitch package as a whole. I was able to get part s8f67-ac700 from hyundai in hand without waiting for shipping and it plugged right in and worked fine on our telluride. (The part itself even has the kia logo on it). It was also priced lower than any quote Kia gave me!

[@PIFDIY]

Mike, this is great stuff. Thanks for posting this here. I'm sure it'll help someone!

[@themichaelcreed]

FYI.. Not sure about the 2023's, but the wiring harness for 2024 is different. In this video it ties into the harness behind the rear wheelwell. On the 2024 it ties into the harness where the jack is stored inside the car.

[@augustschellhase]

I’m looking to install on a 2024 telluride- watching this from my cell. Hard to find the part #s but maybe easier on the big screen- thank. I didn’t know that had an oem panel replacement , great video

[@bane1240]

Just got a 2024 on Saturday and while I wont be doing this in the immediate future, I will be doing it probably before end of September (if I can get the wiring harness - seems they are on back order). Great step by step - Thnx!

[@michaelchow8944]

Very nice. Thank you for the detailed and well done installation. It looks great. Great video.

[@jasonrider969]

Thanks for the video, you made my install easy!

[@PIFDIY]

Great to hear! Thanks!

[@jamesleonard3720]

In regards to the wiring harness, Was the car already prewired from the factory to where you plugged in?

[@horneraz]

Thanks for adding the part numbers, tells me which one I need to get.

[@childeroland6858]

Great video. I did this too, and the guide is perfect. Thanks!

[@jasonridings]

Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing

[@tylermyers6920]

Thanks! Great video! Now can you do one on replacing the vacuum pump on a 2013 F150 Ecoboost! LOL

[@PIFDIY]

lol!

[@randomgenius8551]

Thanks for posting.

[@IdanBidani]

Thank you! That's really helpful 👏

[@marshallsanders5672]

Thank you good video strait forward and pt.#s very helpful

[@user-zp4iy7nm1k]

Do you by chance know the vendor you bought this kit from? Looking for a 2023 telluride

[@PIFDIY]

It was an ebay vendor that no longer has those parts. I would search on the OEM part numbers to find purchasing options.

[@cruzgi]

Great look. Thank you.

[@mayhem5116]

Does this work for Palisade?

[@burbankclippers8793]

Thank you for this!

[@bigfishbrau]

do you have those torque specs in foot lbs?

[@Fresco1044]

Why does the OEM hitch kit come with power latch assembly? I see you did not replace the power latch so I'm assuming it's not needed but Kia is saying it comes with the kit.?

[@PIFDIY]

Not sure what you mean by "power latch". You can see what's included when I unbox the OEM hitch kit.

[@themichaelcreed]

@@PIFDIY There a bulletin out (Parts Bulletin MI-23-31) to replace the latch on powered hatches. Something about towing\hitch weight causing the latch to come out of alignment. It's not an issue for Tellurides built after 10/6/23.

[@PIFDIY]

Interesting. I didn't know that. @@themichaelcreed

[@kathyweigelhi-lophotovideo2984]

kia just issued a fire safety recall on these hitches...probably has to do with the wiring harness getting wet.

[@PIFDIY]

Thanks for the head's up.

[@twash254]

Any project

[@chelseakitchens2392]

Will these parts and this process work with the 2023 ex x-line as well?

[@PIFDIY]

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that one.

[@matthatter93]

Dumb question but does this also work for a 2024? I am ordering now but the towing package was not available for my trim level and didn’t want to spend the extra 6 thousand dollars

[@PIFDIY]

Hi, sorry but I don't know about the 2024 models. Maybe someone can chime in...

[@Fresco1044]

I have a full OEM kit available for sale if you in Florida ?

[@mvargas144]

@@Fresco1044if not sold let me know

[@rrcbiker]

What is the self-leveling shocks for? Do I need them to tow a small car?

[@PIFDIY]

Alan, you'll have to read up on it. I went through that process when I tried to determine if I could get away without self leveling shocks. For me, I have two types of motorcycle hitch carriers with a variety of bikes as well as a tandem wheel landscape trailer that I occasionally use for hauling stuff. I've used both carriers and the trailer with about a ton of stuff in it with no excessive squat. I would read up though...

[@micheldemers9837]

Thoses washers are Belleville washers ,

[@PIFDIY]

Thanks! Not a common washer, hope I can remember the name next time I come across one :)

[@hlipham]

I am in the process of installing this hitch on a 2023 Telluride and there is a gap between the hitch and the frame on the driver side. I first tightened the passenger side carriage bolts as the manufacturer's instructions said to do and when I went to tighten the driver's side 19 mm bolts, I noticed that there's about a quarter inch gap between the hitch and the frame, before I started tightening the bolts. Is that normal? I'm concerned about damaging the frame if I tighten these bolts all the way down.

[@PIFDIY]

I don't recall any gap. I believe that I could hold the hitch up flush against the frame without tightening the bolts. I would try to loosening the driver's side bolts and see if you can alternate back and forth between all bolts to snug up the hitch. If it starts to bind, you'll probably want to find out if there have been any changes with the hitch or car for 2023.

[@bigfishbrau]

what did you find out hlipham? did you get it to work??

[@hlipham]

@@bigfishbrau Yes, I installed two washers on the driver side. The passenger side was tightened up without any washers.

[@bigfishbrau]

@@hlipham oh wow, there was that much of a gap? i wonder if thats not unusual though. they cant fit exact i would think? im just worried because i just ordered one to put on a 23 palisade because i saw someone that did that and he said it fit fine.. :/

[@Ttaylor2308]

Isnt there a problem with the trunk latch or something with the 2022 wiring?

[@172sbct]

New to towing. We just got a little camper trailer with electric brakes. Has 7 pin plug. Do we need a control box or can we install this kit and the trailer brakes will function? Thanks for this video too. Super helpful for when we get the hitch and wiring.

[@PIFDIY]

You'll need a brake controller in addition to the 7 pin plug connection. I have a video showing how I installed mine. If you want to avoid having to install and wire a brake controller, you could look at something like the Curt Echo. It plugs directly into the 7 pin connector and goes between the car and the trailer. I'm sure you can find some KZbin videos on how it works. Good luck!

[@172sbct]

@@PIFDIY I found one at Curt for under $70 bucks. Thanks! So even though I am installing the factory tow package with a legit 7 pin connector the trailer brakes still don’t function without a controller? Only reason I ask is I thought a controller just gave you the ability to fine tune the brakes gain, etc. but the brakes would still function with the plug just being plugged in. Thanks again!

[@PIFDIY]

@@172sbct The brakes will not function without a controller. More focused vehicles will come with integrated brake controllers or offer it as an option (full sized SUVs and pickups) but it needs to be added to the Telluride. If you look at my brake controller video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKLaqmSLlq2lgrM), you can see that the wiring is provided under the dash, but you need to purchase and install the controller.

[@172sbct]

@@PIFDIY. Kills me that Kia doesn’t supply that as part of the tow package for a complete unit. Or at least supply a cheap basic one. The one from Curt looks like it is what I need. Thanks again for the speedy responses. At least Kia has set the consumer up for success with the wiring ready to go and easily accessible. Kia dealer wanted an arm and a leg to install the tow package.

[@PIFDIY]

@@172sbct Kia probably feels with a 5000lb tow capacity, most trailers won't have brakes so no need to add the cost of a controller. That said, even my 2015 Tahoe didn't come with one. Just another way to cut costs. But, like you said, at least the wiring harness is there...

[@jethmpsn1]

Can you link the tool you used that you said was from Amazon...I don't even know what to call it?

[@PIFDIY]

Sure, here's one...www.amazon.com/KUNTEC-Exhaust-Removal-Tailpipes-Mufflers/dp/B095BX2JGR

[@jethmpsn1]

@@PIFDIY Great...thank you

[@cougrr68]

How long did it take for you to do this by yourself

[@PIFDIY]

Not sure exactly but this is a very easy DIY project. With all the parts, figure a couple hours at most. I always try to watch videos and/or study service manuals/procedures before starting projects which help things go smoother. Also try to have your tools ready so you're not going back and forth from under the car. I give a lot of the fastener sizes in the video.

[@samgoddard6443]

What was the price for all pieces?

[@PIFDIY]

The part numbers are shown in my video description. You can google prices. Just call to make sure they have it in stock.

[@twiz148]

What are they doing for you on the recall?

[@Meng776]

I'm looking for the bundle

[@PIFDIY]

Looks like the bundle is gone from Amazon. The seller was Mastria Kia so maybe try them directly?

[@Meng776]

@@PIFDIY I called them and they're quoting $750 for hitch, harness and cover.....before shipping.