Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

[leslielbk]

I have a 15' alumacraft, and it's all ready to go...except I have no way to get it to water. I'm towing about 2 miles to the boat ramp, and I asked Kia if towing anything voids my warranty, which it doesn't. I've gotten a price of $330, but a longtime boat man said he'd put one on for me if I bought a kit online. So now I don't know what one to order. I need the whole thing, wiring, etc., but could use some advice on which brand is best and what style. Thanks in advance!!

 

[ricohman]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

I'd go with whatever the dealer suggests. With the 1.6 motor you will certainly have limitations.
Is the Kia Soul actually rated to tow anything?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

I know it's only 2 miles but it only takes 2 yards to have an accident.
How much weight are you towing ?? What is the tow rating for the vehicle ??
A slippery ramp might be your worst nightmare.
You may have done this homework already but if not you need to do it before just putting a hitch on.
Just my thoughts though.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

As you can see here, there are lots of options. I've had several Hidden Hitch models over the years and have been very satisfied. Valley, Curt, and Draw-Tite also make quality hitches.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

I've used Draw-tite and Curt hitches over the years and never had a problem with any of them. I'd get whatever is cheapest lol. They are very easy to install- usually either use some existing holes in the frame or drill some holes in it. The wiring it is also very simple and you can buy it at Walmart for a few bucks. Take it easy on the little guy towing anything

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

I didnt think that the Kia Soul had a towing spec. that doesnt mean some aftermarket company didnt design a hitch. it just means that there is no towing spec on their website.

if your manual doesnt have a towing capacity, then it doesnt matter which hitch.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

Something I found with a quick google search.

http://autos.winnipegfreepress.com/news-article/id-3488/

Looks like it could well void your warranty. If the dealer says it's fine and won't void your warranty get something in writing. It's odd a hitch is a dealer installed option when towing is not recommended in North America but the same vehicle is fine to tow with in Europe.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

Something I found with a quick google search.

http://autos.winnipegfreepress.com/news-article/id-3488/

It's odd a hitch is a dealer installed option when towing is not recommended in North America but the same vehicle is fine to tow with in Europe.

It is odd for the same reasons that a step ladder is covered with warning labels....lawyers have whipped us into irresponsible wimps!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

Funny. Way back so long ago that I'd forgotten I used to tow a 14' Meyers rowboat with a 9.5hp Johnson on it with a early Chevy Chevette and it did just fine! Also used to pull a trailer with 2 motocross racers on it with a Vega!

 

[cribber]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2010_Kia_Soul.htm Etrailer carries a Curt hitch and also has the wiring harness. These are no drill kits and only take a couple of hours to install. It took longer to decide how to route the wiring harness on my Pacifica then id did to install the hitch.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

Pretty sure a soul isn't rated to tow anything, those hitches are for mounting receiver mount bike racks on.

 

[leslielbk]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

I can't thank you all enough for your various responses, all echoing the clashing thoughts in my head. I called Kia today, and they said if I stripped the transmission while towing, it would void the warranty. I can see myself trying to pull the boat up the ramp, shredding my transmission, and with clarity only induced by throat-clutching fear, unhitching the whole shebang to float off into the bay, and denying any towage to Kia.
Except that trailer hitch evidence....rats.

I'll figure out something. Thanks, guys.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

depending where you are, you can pick up a rusty and trusty pickup truck for about $500. probably already has a hitch on it.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

I can't thank you all enough for your various responses, all echoing the clashing thoughts in my head. I called Kia today, and they said if I stripped the transmission while towing, it would void the warranty.
I'll figure out something. Thanks, guys.

Thank you for an informative thread. Wife has a KIA Rio that she uses as a commuter for work. We both really like it and it's been a very dependable auto. We were at the dealer a short while back and I looked at the Soul and thought about it as a tow vehicle for my small Lund but like you I couldn't find any towing specs for it. So I guess know I too know and will just have to keep my Canyon.

 

[leslielbk]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

OK. I got my specs from Alumacraft - they're awesome. I just sent customer service an email and she fired over a cool old ad (which I already have, framed no less) and the spec sheet. My boat weighs 276 pounds. A lightweight! Now I need to get the trailer and motor weight, and I'll have a true total weight. But if I'm generous and double it, I think my little Soul can handle it. HOWEVER - up and down a ramp is another matter entirely.
Scott, thank you for the spare truck idea, but I'd have to insure it and find a place to keep it. Gets complicated...probably not more so than this fooling around is though...

 

[lrak]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

Personally if I felt that my transmission wasn't able to handle four typical overweight American passengers, I'd sell it immediately. Pulling a 750lb boat trailer up the ramp puts the same strain on the transmission as driving 750lbs of passengers up a parking garage ramp...

 

[bigdee]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

Pulling a 750lb boat trailer up the ramp puts the same strain on the transmission as driving 750lbs of passengers up a parking garage ramp...

An excellent analogy.....common sense prevails! Actually pulling the passengers is probably worse because of quicker acceleration.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

I can't thank you all enough for your various responses, all echoing the clashing thoughts in my head. I called Kia today, and they said if I stripped the transmission while towing, it would void the warranty. I can see myself trying to pull the boat up the ramp, shredding my transmission, and with clarity only induced by throat-clutching fear, unhitching the whole shebang to float off into the bay, and denying any towage to Kia.
Except that trailer hitch evidence....rats.

I'll figure out something. Thanks, guys.

And that's a real good reason not to tow with it.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

Personally if I felt that my transmission wasn't able to handle four typical overweight American passengers, I'd sell it immediately. Pulling a 750lb boat trailer up the ramp puts the same strain on the transmission as driving 750lbs of passengers up a parking garage ramp...

My mom has 2 Kia Souls and I'd really love to see a driver plus 750lbs of passengers inside one They are a nice little CAR, but you should re-evaluate your vehicle choice now that you have decided to add towing stuff to your vehicle requirements.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Which hitch kit for Kia Soul?

And that's a real good reason not to tow with it.

And that is good reason why this dealer would never get repeat business from me.