Camping is one activity that can relieve one's stress over the weekdays. One of the best available shelters when camping is by using a camper. Have you ever wondered if the Kia Sorento is capable of towing one? We have consulted automotive experts, and here is what we got from them.
The Kia Sorento can tow around 2,000 to 3,500 pounds. The Kia Sorento can definitely tow campers and other heavy equipment. Just keep in mind that your max towing capacity will depend on what engine and drivetrain your Kia Sorento has.
When it comes to towing, the drivetrain and torque of the vehicle will matter a lot. The higher the torque number, the heavier it can pull, while the drivetrain will help give traction. Learn more about the Kia Sorento's towing capability down below.
![Red crossover Kia Sorento in the city street - How Much Can A Kia Sorento Tow [Can It Tow A Camper]](https://vehq.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Red-crossover-Kia-Sorento-in-the-city-street-How-Much-Can-A-Kia-Sorento-Tow-Can-It-Tow-A-Camper.png)
Can The Kia Sorento Tow A Camper?
Yes, the Kia Sorento is able to tow a camper. Just be sure that the camper weighs a maximum of 2,000 lbs if you have the 2.5-liter inline-four engine and 3,500 lbs if you have the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four.
Here are some of the 2022 Kia Sorento's features that help with towing:
- Adaptive AWD with Lock Mode
- Torque-Vectoring Cornering Control
- Drive Mode Select with Snow Mode
- Hill-Start Assist Control
- Safe Exit Assist
- Blind Spot Collision Warning & Avoidance Assist
Towing beyond your vehicle's maximum towing rating can damage the components of your vehicle, such as its engine and transmission. Towing beyond your vehicle's maximum rating will stress the components of your car.
Your engine may blow up, and your transmission may give out because of all the stress of pulling something heavy. Changing or repairing these components will be time-consuming and very costly.
Also, towing beyond your maximum load rating is very dangerous. Towing a very heavy load can make your vehicle stop longer. This is hazardous because this may cause accidents, especially when driving on the highway.
That's why when you are about to embark on a camping trip, make sure that the camper you are towing is within the weight capacity and make sure everything is securely placed. Double-checking what you're towing is always a good practice to follow.
What Is The Kia Sorento's Best Trim For Towing?
The Kia Sorento does not have a specific trim dedicated for towing, but it does have some trims that can cater to light towing. One thing you should look for when looking for a vehicle that can tow is its torque numbers.
Though the Kia Sorento is not known for its towing capacity, it is still able to tow stuff such as a trailer or camper. The Kia Sorento has two engine options a 2.5-liter DOHC naturally aspirated engine and a 2.5-liter DOHC turbocharged engine.
Out of the two engines, the turbocharged engine puts out more torque, making its maximum towing capacity much higher. With the turbocharged engine, you get a max towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, since the Kia Sorento is not built for towing, this is a decent amount of towing capacity.
The best Kia Sorento trims for light towing include:
- EX
- X-Line EX AWD
- SX, SX Prestige
- X-Line SX Prestige AWD.
All these trims are equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. The exact power output of this engine is 281-hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
Kia has also equipped the Sorento with features to help with towing, such as Adaptive AWD with Lock Mode, Torque-Vectoring Cornering Control, All-Weather Capability, and many more. These features will help you tow a trailer or camper in any weather.
What Camper Trailers Can A Kia Sorento Tow?
When looking for a camper trailer for the Kia Sorento, it's essential that you think about how much it weighs. The type of camper trailer you can tow will depend on what engine your Kia Sorento has.
If you have the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, you have a max towing capacity of 2,000 lbs, while for the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, you can tow around 3,500 lbs. Staying within the max towing capacity is essential to stay safe and prevent your engine from giving out.
If you have the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine, here are some of the most popular campers under 2,000 lbs:
- Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro - 1,164 lbs to 1,763 lbs
- Scamp Travel Trailer - 1,500 lbs to 2,000 lbs
- Roulotte ProLite - 500 lbs to 1,995 lbs
And If you have the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, here are some of the best picks for campers under 3,500 lbs:
- Winnebago hike 170S - 3,260 lbs
- Prime Time RV Avenger LT 16BH - 3,033 lbs
- Gulf Stream RV Friendship 199DD - 3,100 lbs
All of the listed trailers are perfect to take on camping trips since they are all within the max towing capacity limit set by Kia. Just remember to count the weight of your luggage to the weight of the camper, since this will affect the total weight.
How To Tow A Trailer Safely
It is essential that you know the basic towing safety guidelines. This will help keep you and other motorists on the road safe. Also, this will help prevent your vehicle from overworking itself.
Not only should you keep in mind the rating of your equipment, but also your driving style should change when towing a trailer. Here are the things to check and keep in mind when towing a trailer:
Towing Capacity
Knowing your max towing capacity is essential since going overboard can negatively affect your travel. Towing beyond your maximum towing limit will cause your vehicle to break longer than usual and will greatly stress your engine.
Hitch Size
Having the proper hitch is a must for you to attach the trailer to your vehicle. Make sure that the hitch and ball fit together, and neither of the two is too big. Also before leaving always double-check if the trailer you're towing is secure.
Weight Distribution
Weight balance on your trailer is essential, especially if you're towing a utility trailer. What you want is a leveled trailer after it has been hooked up to your vehicle. If the trailer is unbalanced, try moving your load to the front or back to even it out.
Driving
Your driving should definitely change when towing a trailer. Always be aware of your surroundings, especially when going around corners because you may clip something.
Also, avoid speeding and overtaking when on the highway. Driving while towing a trailer is very dangerous. Only overtake when there is clearly no one near you.
Is The Kia Sorento Good For Long Trips?
The Kia Sorento is great for long trips since it is a very reliable and comfortable mid-sized SUV. With the Kia Sorento being an SUV, it has a lot of space to fit both passengers and their luggage.
You have a total of 105.3 cubic feet of passenger space which can seat six people comfortably. For the lower trims of the Kia Sorento, you get cloth seats, for the middle trims you get leatherette seats, and on higher trims, you get genuine leather seats.
Staying comfortable is very important for long drives since this will reduce the bad effects you may get from sitting, such as backaches and numbness. Staying comfortable can also help you stay focused on the road.
In addition to great passenger space, the Kia Sorento has great cargo space. The Kia Sorento has a cargo space of 12.6 cubic feet with all seats up. With the third-row seats down, you get 45 cubic feet.
And lastly, when the third and second-row seats are down, you get a total of 75.5 cubic feet. When going on a long trip, you will typically go for a few days, and having a decent cargo space to put all your luggage is helpful.
In Closing
The Kia Sorento can definitely tow a camper as long as it is within the recommended weight limit set by Kia. It is essential that you always keep in mind how much something you're going to tow weighs. This is a good safety practice to keep you and others safe on the road.
The Kia Sorento is great to take on long drives since it has a lot of room, plus you have the ability to tow something like a camper or storage trailer. If you're planning to get one, there are a lot of available trims that may suit your needs.
For more automotive topics and tips, check out the following posts: