If you decide to pull a trailer

Here are some important points if you decide to pull a trailer:

  • Consider using sway control. You can ask a trailer hitch dealer about sway control.

  • Do not do any towing with your vehicle during its first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) to allow the vehicle to properly break in. Failure to heed this caution may result in serious motor or power electric system damage.

  • When towing a trailer, consult an authorized Kia dealer on additional requirements, such as a towing kit.

  • Always drive your vehicle at a moderate speed (less than 60 mph (100 km/h)) when towing a trailer.

  • On a long uphill grade, do not exceed 45 mph (70 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is lower.

  • The following chart contains important considerations related to weight:

  • The driving range of electric vehicle is affected by the weight and the shape of the trailer. Depending on the trailer, the driving range can decrease up to 50%.

Weight of the trailer

OCV095003N

  1. Tongue Load

  2. Total Trailer Weight

What is the maximum safe weight of a trailer? It should never weigh more than the maximum trailer weight with trailer brakes. Even that can be too heavy.

It depends on how you plan to use your trailer. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how often your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. The ideal trailer weight can also depend on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle.

Weight of the trailer tongue

OCV095004N

  1. Gross Axle Weight

  2. Gross Vehicle Weight

The tongue load of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total GVW. This weight includes the curb weight of your vehicle, any cargo you carry, and the people riding in your vehicle. If you tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle is also carrying that weight.

The trailer tongue should weigh a maximum of 10% of the total loaded trailer weight, within the limits of the maximum trailer tongue load permissible.

After you've loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and tongue separately to see if the weights are proper. If they aren't, you may be able to correct them simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

WARNING

Trailer

  • Never load a trailer with more weight in the rear than in the front. The front should be loaded with approximately 60% of the total trailer load; the rear should be loaded with approximately 40% of the total trailer load.

  • Never exceed the maximum weight limits of the trailer or trailer towing equipment. Improper loading can result in damage to your vehicle or personal injury. Check weights and loading on a commercial scale or at a highway patrol office equipped with scales.

  • An improperly loaded trailer can cause loss of control of your vehicle.

The chart contains important considerations that have to do with weight: For more details, refer to Reference weight when towing a trailer.