Can the Kia Telluride Tow an RV Trailer?
The Kia Telluride is a popular midsize SUV that seems to have it all in terms of performance and comfort, but does it have what it takes to safely pull an RV trailer?
Having an SUV instead of a truck as your tow vehicle definitely has its advantages. They often get better mileage. They also tend to handle better, ride more smoothly, and maneuver more easily into smaller spaces.
You can pack lots of stuff in them or have a few extra passengers.
The question is whether the Kia Telluride is rugged enough to stand up to the rigors of towing an RV. Let’s take a close look at the numbers to find out.
Kia Telluride Towing Capacity
The Korean company Kia lists the Telluride’s towing capacity at 5,000 lbs. A big part of what makes this rating possible is what’s under the hood.
Powering this smooth-riding three-row crossover is a 3.8-liter Lambda V6 engine that provides 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The combination of the two offers the smooth performance you require to move something the weight of a travel trailer.
2020 Kia Telluride Specs
With a length of 196.9 inches, the Kia Telluride stretches eight inches longer than the Kia Sorrento and, for further comparison’s sake, is also larger than a Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, but a bit shorter than a Ford Explorer.
It is available in three different trim packages – the Telluride LX, Telluride S and Telluride EX – and has a base MSRP of $31,890.
Front wheel drive is standard, with an AWD option available. It is designed to seat up to 8 passengers. Gas mileage is rated at 20/26, and the tank holds 18.8 gallons.
The Telluride’s curb weight is 4,112 lbs. The payload capacity is 1,664 lbs.
There’s an optional towing package that offers self-leveling suspension and a 7-blade wiring harness.
Can the Kia Telluride Tow an RV?
The short answer is yes, but it depends on what kind of RV.
Our advice would be to think small.
When factoring in the weight of what you’re towing, you have to consider not just the weight of the camper but its cargo, too, as well as how much weight the trailer hitch can support. Keep in mind, too, that wear and tear happens over time.
So even though the Kia Telluride can pull a lot of weight, you can end up damaging the engine or transmission if you overdo it.
You never want to push it by running your vehicle close to capacity levels.
There are other variables that can put stress on an SUV besides weight, such as high winds, steep grades, and bad road conditions, just to name a few.
What Kind of RVs Can the Kia Telluride Tow?
A Kia Telluride should be able to easily tow many smaller types of RVs.
Teardrop trailers, which usually weigh less than 2,000 pounds, should be a cinch, and there are others in the travel trailer classification that will also fall safely inside the Telluride’s limits.
Other likely candidates are pop-up campers, which generally sleep four to six people and are literally designed for traveling light.
What makes them weigh less than many other kinds of RV trailers is that their sides are made of canvas. Their walls extend to provide living space and collapse when they’re not in use, so they are compact and easy to tow.
Pop-ups can be pretty heavy once their tanks are full and they are fully loaded with supplies, but many of them should be plenty light enough to be safely towed by a Kia Telluride.
The 2020 Kia Telluride: Great for Towing Small Campers
The verdict is in. Yes, the Kia Telluride can be a great tow vehicle as long as your expectations are reasonable. In this case, don’t set your sights too high because you don’t want to cause serious and permanent damage to the vehicle.
As always, play it smart and be cautious.
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