Can You Flat Tow A Kia Soul?

The Kia Soul is different than most small SUVs because of its box shape. It offers adequate inside and cargo space for individuals who want to go on an adventure. On the off chance that you are taking an RV camping, a Kia Soul may be a great alternative to take with you on your adventure. Towing a vehicle of this size proves useful when you want to explore areas with narrow roads and when you need to visit the town and go shopping. However, can the Kia Soul be flat-towed?

According to Kia, the Kia Soul is flat-towable with all four wheels down if it has a manual transmission. The Kia Soul GT is the ideal alternative for flat towing as the DCT can disengage into neutral. Besides, it weighs 2,800 pounds, which makes it light and easy to pull. 

Good deal, you can use the manual transmission Kia Soul for flat towing! If you don't already own a manual transmission Kia Soul but are on the hunt for one, you may want to know more about it before making a final buying decision. So read on as we talk about flat towing the Kia Soul and other options for towing a vehicle behind your RV or motorhome.

Test drive of Kia Soul in Warsaw. The second generation of Soul was revealed in 2013, Can You Flat Tow A Kia Soul?

What Is Flat Towing?

Before we discuss more flat towing the Kia Soul, and other Kia vehicles capable of being flat towed, it is good to understand what precisely flat towing means.

Doing a flat tow or flat towing is a way to pull along a vehicle with the end goal that all four wheels are on the ground. Flat towing is also called dinghy towing, neutral towing, or four-wheel towing, among other names. It's a popular way to pull cars or four-wheel drive vehicles behind large trucks or RVs.

To do a flat tow, you need a smaller arrangement of gears to hitch another car to your vehicle or RV. The time and exertion expected to set up a flat tow are minimal compared to the next towing methods. Flat tow is a relatively basic framework for towing a vehicle since you don't have to purchase or set up trailers or carts. The vast majority of what you should do a flat tow is covered by a flat tow unit, assuming you have a vehicle that can be safely flat towed.

An rv towing a red jeep

Can You Flat Tow A 2021 Kia Soul Manual Transmission?

According to Kia, the 2021 Kia Soul can be flat – towed with all four wheels down if it's a manual transmission. The EZ5 Base Plate Kit is an exceptional fit for your Soul and will furnish you with removable arms which make for a clean look while not in tow.

The Kia Soul GT is the ideal alternative for flat towing as the DCT can disengage into neutral. In addition, it weighs 2,800 pounds, which makes it light enough that any RV can easily pull it.

Test drive of Kia Soul in Warsaw. The second generation of Soul was revealed in 2013, Can You Flat Tow A Kia Soul?

Can You Flat Tow A Kia Soul Behind An RV?

Most manufacturers will say not to tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground to avoid actual damage to your vehicle. However, is it okay to flat-tow a 2020 Kia Soul with a manual transmission?

According to Kia, the 2020 Kia Soul is flat-towable with all four wheels down if it has a manual transmission. The note in the proprietor's manual is for models with automatic transmission. As always, it is suggested you speak with the local dealer before another vehicle purchase.

The Kia Soul with manual transmission is flat-towable. You need a base plate, a tow bar, and a couple of accessories to get the car behind your RV. For an automatic Kia Soul, you will need a flatbed or to install aftermarket parts to facilitate the towing

You can check the client manual that accompanies your car to check whether you can flat-tow it. If the manufacturer doesn't suggest flat towing your vehicle, you will damage transmission segments on the off chance you attempt to dinghy tow it.

Kia Soul EV, an electric car from automaker Kia, with Clean Air Vehicle decal visible

Is 2019 Kia Soul Flat Towable?

The 2019 Kia Soul can be flat-towed with all four wheels down if it has a manual transmission. However, it is strongly recommended that you confirm this with your local dealer and owner's manual before doing so.

To flat-tow the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground behind a motorhome, you are going to need a tow bar, base plate kit, safety cables, tail light wiring harness, supplemental braking system, and possibly a high-low adapter. There may also be a few other smaller components that are needed depending on the options the vehicle is equipped with.

For a tow bar, it is recommended the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar part # RM-676. The Nighthawk is one of the best tow bars on the market. It has a non-binding and self-aligning design which makes for a straightforward hookup. It also comes with safety cables and a wiring extension. This tow bar is then compatible with the Roadmaster EZ5 Base Plate Kit part # RM-522115-5. The EZ5 Base Plate Kit is a custom fit for your Soul and will provide you with removable arms which make for a clean look while not in tow.

Then, for a tail light wiring harness, it is suggested the roadmaster Universal High-Power Diode Wiring Kit part # RM-152. To make the harness compatible with the wiring augmentation on the Nighthawk tow bar, you should wire the 6-way connector that accompanies the tow bar.

Which Kia Cars Can Be Flat Towed?

Currently, you can flat tow both the 2021 Kia Soul Turbo with dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and the 2021 Kia Forte GT with DCT. Plus, there are older Kia's that you can use as dinghy vehicles. Due to the DCT design, you can shift the transmission into neutral, which allows for safe flat towing. Many years ago, finding cars suitable for flat towing wasn't all that hard. Most cars and trucks with manual transmissions could be pulled with four wheels down, as could most four-wheel-drive SUVs with manual transfer cases.

Kia has raised the ranks to become a serious competitor in several segments, and the compact SUV is no exception. As we'll explain later, the Soul comes with plenty of features that make it practical and fun. Likewise, the Forte is no exception, and the GT version comes with a 7-speed DCT and 200 horsepower for a fun, cheap option.

A huge Kia motors logo on the side at a Kia dealership

Conclusion- Is the Kia Soul The Best Vehicle To Flat Tow?

There is no doubt that the Kia Soul is an excellent choice for flat towing behind your RV or Motorhome. However, consumers need to keep in mind that it needs to be a manual transmission. With that being said, before flat towing your Kia Soul or buying one to be flat towed, check with your local dealer to get confirmation that it can be flat towed. Flat towing a vehicle that isn't capable could cause extreme damage to the vehicle.

If you enjoyed this article on flat towing a Kia Soul, you might also like:

Where are Kia cars made?

Can You Flat Tow A Subaru? [Everything You Need To Know]

Can You Flat Tow A Jeep Compass?

We would love to hear from you! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!

Share this article

One comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *