The Kia Telluride is an exceptional mid-size SUV accommodating seven to eight passengers comfortably. Since its debut in 2020, its been a top choice amongst consumers because of its performance, smooth ride, and modest starting MSRP. While those are all great, how does it do when you need it for towing? And how is its max towing capacity? We have conducted extensive research to find exactly how much the Kia Telluride can tow.
Whether you are thinking of buying or already own the Kia Telluride LX, S, EX, or SX, the max towing capacity is 5,000 lbs. This means that the Kia Telluride has more than enough capability to tow a small trailer, camper, toy hauler, or utility trailer. It is recommended to reach out to your dealer about a tow package for your Telluride to ensure proper installation to avoid damage to the vehicle.
Well, that’s good news! Now you don’t have to upgrade to a pickup truck. While many consumers prefer a pickup truck when it comes to towing, you will find that Kia Telluride can handle most jobs. Read on as we discuss more the Kia Tellurides towing package and the campers within its towing capacity.
Which Kia Has The Most Towing Capacity?
Kia makes different types of crossovers and SUVs, and they all have their own highlights, but which one has the most towing capacity? You might have guessed that the biggest SUV probably can tow the most, right? Well, you are right! Prior to the Kia Telluride, the Kia Sorento had the most towing capacity out of Kia’s vehicles. Now the Kia Telluride takes the spotlight as the go-to SUV for towing and cabin space.
The New SUV On The Block
Kia came out with the Telluride for several reasons, but the main reason is that they needed something bigger. With so many mid-size SUVs in the market, such as their cousin the Hyundai Palisade, Chevy Traverse, and Ford Explorer, they knew they needed something to compete. Their smaller third-row seat SUV, the Kia Sorento, is no doubt a great vehicle, but it lacks the legroom and cabin space in the third row.
Another big difference between the Kia Telluride and the Kia Sorento is its towing capabilities. The Kia Telluride has a max towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, whereas the Kia Sorento can only tow a max of 3,500 lbs. This difference of 1,500 lbs may not seem like much, but it really is when you start looking around at the weight campers. If you need to accommodate more than two people in a camper, your options are limited in the 3,500 lbs and less range.
Nonetheless, we did the research on different types of campers under 5,000 lbs that the Kia Telluride can tow effortlessly. Read on as we discuss campers under 5,000 lbs and the different packages of the Kia Telluride.
Can Kia Telluride Tow A Camper?
Nowadays, there are several companies that are making some pretty cool campers that are lightweight. Don’t be confused, though, just because they are lightweight doesn’t mean they can’t accommodate more than one or two persons. Let’s take a look at the different types of campers under 5,000 lbs.
Teardrop Campers
First, on our list of campers, the Kia Telluride is more than capable of towing teardrop campers. What are teardrop campers, exactly? A teardrop camper is a compact RV that is lightweight and usually accommodates one to two people. They get their name because their shape, well, looks like a teardrop. Teardrop campers range in weight from 1,500 to 4,000 lbs and can be towed by most vehicles equipped with a V6 or four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Here is a list of teardrop campers that we recommend for your next camping trip:
- Luna Lite Trailer
- The Little Guy Mini Max
- HC1
- High Camp Aluminum Teardrop
- Vintage Overland Teardrops
- Timberleaf Classic and Pika
- So-Cal Teardrops
- The Cricket
- Wide-Path Homie Camper
When it comes to these types of campers, less is more. They aren’t extravagant, and if you are looking for glamourous camping, these aren’t the right choice for you. These campers are for the minimalist that is looking to spend quite a bit of time in the outdoors. This includes going to the bathroom outside and also cooking outside. This is because most teardrop campers aren’t self-sustainable, meaning they have plumbing, which means there is no bathroom or indoor kitchen sink. In addition, if you are trying to bring your whole family, this isn’t the camper for you.
However, there are several benefits of a teardrop camper. One of the best things about the teardrop camper is that you can take it where most campers can’t go. Their size makes them easy to maneuver and park in tight spaces. They are also so light that they don’t kill your gas mileage while you travel. Lastly, they have a quick setup process. Park them, level them out, and boom, you are camping!
Campers Under 5,000 lbs For The Whole Family
While the teardrop campers are great for the solo traveler or a couple, they just don’t cut it when it comes to accommodations. That is why we put together a list of campers under 5,000 lbs that sleep four or more people, with an indoor kitchen and a bathroom.
- Airstream Sport Travel Trailer: Sleeps 4/2,860 lbs
- Keystone Sport Travel Trailer: Sleeps 10/3,160 lbs
- KZ Sportsmen Classic Ultra Lightweight Travel Trailer: Sleeps 5/3,400 lbs
- Dutchmen Coleman Lantern LT Pull Behind Travel Trailer: Sleeps 6/3,980 lbs
- Forest River R-Pod Hood River 179 Travel Trailer: Sleeps 4/3,654 lbs
- Winnebago HIKE: Sleeps 4/3,400 lbs
- Starcraft Satellite 18MK: Sleeps 4/3,315 lbs
- Coachmen Clipper Ultra-Lite Travel Trailer: Sleeps 5/3,984 lbs
- Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser Travel Trailer: Sleeps 6/3,410 lbs
That’s a legit list of campers under 5,000 lbs that sleep a whole family or a larger group of people. Take the Keystone Sports Travel Trailer, for example. Not only is it under 3,500 lbs, but when set up properly, it can sleep ten people! That’s honestly incredible for how light it is. Not only is the tech on vehicles getting advanced, but so is the engineering and design of campers in the market.
What Does The Kia Telluride Tow Package Cost?
Currently, the Kia Telluride does not come standard with a towing package. This is essential if you plan on towing because you could cause severe damage to your vehicle without one. A towing package can be added to any of the Tellurides trim packages, LX, S, EX, and SX. The cost to add a towing package is $475 from the dealer. Consumers can look into other auto accessory stores to see if they can get a better deal, but it is recommended to go with the deal tow package to ensure that it is properly installed.
What Does Kia Telluride Tow Package Include?
The Kia Tellerudie tow package comes with the essential hardware to get you hooked up to your utility trailer or camper. The package includes a tow hitch, proper wiring for brake lights, and a strong mounting frame. When this is installed, the Kia Telluride is capable of towing 5,000 lbs.
When hooking up your Kia Telluride to your camper or trailer, it is crucial to ensure that everything is working properly. It is wise to double-check that your trailer brakes, blinkers, and hazard lights, are working before hitting the road. Wiring can become unplugged or have a glitch, and not only could malfunction lights get you a ticket from the police, but it could also increase the chance of an accident.
If your trailer lights aren’t working for one reason or another, there are steps you can take to diagnose the issue. Check out this video below to help diagnose why your trailer lights aren’t working.
In Closing: Is the Kia Telluride Good For Towing?
If you own a Kia Telluride or are looking to purchase one, you will be happy to know that it offers a little of everything. What do we mean by this? Well, it has a spacious cabin that can be used to seat seven or eight passengers, or the second and third-row seat can be folded down for increased cargo space. It is durable off-road and capable of towing a variety of campers. Overall, the Kia Telluride may be one of the newest mid-size SUVs on the market, but it is quickly becoming one of the most popular.
If you would like to learn more about the Kia Telluride and its capabilities, check out these articles:
Does The Kia Telluride Have Heated Seats?
How Much Is A Fully Loaded Kia Telluride?
Is The Kia Telluride Good In The Snow?
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