Workshop Weekday: We Install (And Test) a Kia Niro Tow Hitch On A 2019 e-Niro Electric Car!

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Today's video is trying a new format to add to our mix of shows. It's unscripted (so there's a few more pauses than normal!)

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We're often told that electric cars can't tow... and most electric cars on sale today are sold with no towing capabilities (at least according to manufacturers).

But that's not stopping Kate Walton-Elliott from fitting a tow hitch to a 2019 Kia e-Niro EV.

Presenter: Kate Walton-Elliott
Produced: Transport Evolved

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Please watch: "2023 Kia Niro EV: Why You'll Want To Drive This"
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I often tow light trailers with my Model 3. On a 1200 mile trip to pick up a couch, despite the slower speeds towing (about 60mph because California limits trailers to 55) I remember a 10% to 20% range hit. Minimal on the way there, more losses with the couch breaking the wind.
And just the other day I hooked up the trailer to pick up a mini split heat pump for my shop, trailers are so handy, if you have a place to store them.
Thanks for the less common content, I find it interesting.

CafeElectric
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Regardless of being an EV or an ICE car, in the US they seldom rate "cars" for towing. The same models in Europe are usually rated to tow even though there are no structural differences. If a vehicle in both countries ARE rated to tow, the one in Europe almost always has a higher rating. European towing laws make it safer and therefore the higher tow ratings are permitted.

msmithffl
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Would love to see the full install video if you can. It’s always nice to see the nity gritty on getting it installed.

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Tow hitch will be a major consideration when I buy an EV.
Will only need tow 750 kgs.

stephenboyd
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Agree about how nice it would be to have a tow hitch install video with details like connection points structurally and electrically. How long an endoscope?

williamstanley
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Towing is important. We currently tow our camp trailer with our Model X. Our trailer, an Alto A2124 by Safari Condo is specifically designed to be aerodynamic to be less impact on range. Still, range is limited and we look forward to getting a Cybertruck with 500+ miles range. That should allow us 250 miles between charges easily.

HarveyPayne
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There are real small motorcycle tent campers or a small teardrop camper with enough room to sleep in and the kitchin is outside with a lift up door with stove water and cooler or frig. This is made to be towed by a small car. If you are in a do it your self try a small cargo trailer conversion. there are plenty of you tube videos on this and you can control the added weight.

turnerdan
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Hi I have spent the last 4 months towing a 1600kg twin axle Bailey caravan around the Uk with my new Mercedes EQC its rated for 1800kg. I got the towbar factory fitted from new the only model available with a hitch in the UK is the bottom of the range Sport. The range, real world without the caravan is 200 to 220 miles, with the caravan 140 to 160. Charging is a pain when needed as most times I have to unhitch then charge. Towing is effortless and stable ( the legal limit is 60mph in the UK) I owned 3 Toyota Landcuisers over the past 34 years I prefer the EQC. Just wish the range was better, short hops and stay a couple of days is the new norm.

paulphoenix
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I would also love to see the full install video because I have similar towing needs

canis
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I wish more EV manufacturers would design for tow hitches, despite the hit that takes on range. Towing with an EV is a dream, way nicer than an ICE vehicle. As a farmer (with chickens! yay!) a trailer is a must. Same for many in construction. Range needs are typically low, so battery hit is a non issue, or a planning issue. Like always!

charlet
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I have a 2018 Model 3 and I am thinking about installing a tow hitch. Mostly for putting on a bike rake for my e-bike, but I could see getting a small utility trailer for hauling yard stuff. Luckily there are some pre-designed options for the Model 3. Now I just need to figure out the time and expense. Fortunately I have a friend with a lift in his garage to make this sort of work less back breaking.

jshanks
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I just ordered a hitch for my 2017 Volt. Officially not supported, but should work just fine. Looking forward to it.

FollowTheLion
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Ahhh, towing.

I use my diesel estate car for my carpentry and making work. My reasoning has always been that I can get a lot of stuff in the back, on the roof, and in a trailer. The reason I don't run a van, or pick up truck, as a commercial vehicle is because I also want to transport my family members, be able to park in car parks, and not have the restrictions of running, storing, insuring, and generally funding/fuelling a commercial vehicle as well as a family car. One economic vehicle is always going to be easier then one mid sized car and one large van/pick up truck.

I have three trailers, and two different roof racks, that cover all my transport needs and the ability to use those is paramount to my ability to run a single efficient vehicle for personal and professional use. For work I can run solo, or load the roof, or take one of three trailers to suit the load in order to minimise the fuel use.
My smallest trailer even flat packs to travel inside the car for the unladen leg of the round trip.
Most of the trailer journeys tend to be 70-100 miles and so range for a modern EV wouldn't be a problem. Also I could park the trailer at the job site while the car is charging elsewhere while I work.

It has been the secondary (primary being cost) reason for not having purchased or leased an EV so far. I have yet to find an affordable large estate car that will seat 5 adults, tow a 1600kg trailer, and use a roof rack.

So, given I have a vehicle that will do all that running on diesel, I have taken the step of converting it to EV using second hand parts. If nothing else it will cater for a lot of my 30 mile radius work until a better solution arises.

Maker_of_Things
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Darling, the lighting was beautiful when u cut but still i enjoyed hearing about tows &(here's the hitch....ha) the various involved histories ( camping trips- long distance experiences, etc.) Luv y'all here in Big D! So glad u guys have survived the horrendously devastating fires. Jeez🙀

sableminer
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Hi from Australia love your show . I would love to tow with my Model 3. Tesla said it's coming soon; as Elon says 'still waiting'

teslatowinginaustralia
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Nice coop. Like the idea of the water column supported from the roof. On the subject of letting us down. That’s a fowl notion.
Yes. I’m getting my coat...

The loading of a hitch during normal towing I guess, is mainly on the hitch-bar, (the hitch’s framework) and connection points at the chassis. Then there’s the down load in the ball and thus the suspension, which in the case of OEM, is often up uprated or setup differently, to account for the loading of a fully laden towing vehicle. This gives a stiffer twitchy backend when not towing. But for the buyer who specs. a hitch from new, the expectation, is that the vehicle will be mainly used for towing. Like pickups/trucks/UTEs, when the backend isn’t loaded, the rear can feels like it’s not planted on the road and may step-out on bends and uneven roads. The brakes are routinely uprated too. All that with normal expected loading.

Given the possibility of a crash/wreck. The dynamic loading on the entire chassis and linkages is immense. Providing that nothing snaps and the trailer, (braked or un-braked) remains connected to the towing vehicle. Normal loadings then get thrown out the window. It doesn’t help that many accident-towers, also flip sideways and many of those that flip also roll. Not many auto makers test for rollover protection, with results they’re willing to publicise. I doubt there’s a single auto maker of small vehicles, that tests for rollover while towing.

So under normal loaded towing, there’s a vehicle and an attached weight hanging off the backend. Which you know at higher speeds, will become a tail wagging the dog. But everything is hunky-dory, apart from the reduced fuel efficiency. Then it suddenly goes pear shaped and even quicker goes all honey shaped. You better have a prepared good word with a deity of your choosing. And or hope the auto maker has at least had a passing plan for your present predicament. That the chassis, suspension rating & setup, rollover protection and all static & non-static linkages are to spec. and up to the job. The only job that has any bearing at this point. That of protecting the vehicle’s occupant/s. If the trailer and or its cargo detaches, it/they become just large shrapnel.

A ground-up EV can if wanted, be designed for ‘extra’ tow loading. In the case of vehicles such as the Bolt, Ioniq, Kona & Niro EVs, etc. The original frame and chassis were designed as one thing and with certain mods. became something else. Perhaps the structural frame, chassis, suspension, brakes & drivetrain, as per original OEM spec., just aren’t up to the extra actual stresses and potential dynamic loadings of towing in all its guises.

dcvariousvids
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Hope you document the trailer restoration. That would be interesting.

earthwizz
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Towing is not something I do any more. However, I have a tow hitch on my (ICE) car and would want one on the EV I really would like to buy. I use the hitch to mount a bicycle rack on the car to carry my eBike. Without a bike on it, the rack is a negligible drag, although I do notice the weight on the back, more so than towing a box trailer. But add a bike and the air drag is quite noticeable, especially on the highway.

John.z
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Thank you for the update on towing. Someday, I hope to be able to afford an EV that will tow our 2, 500 lb. teardrop trailer.

rdh
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My friend has a Toyota corolla and towed a pop up camper thru the hills and burned out his transmission. They are heavier then you think. Maybe those little egg shaped trailers might be more doable. I wonder if this install will void your warranty? I admire your guts Kate.. Nice vid, thumps up.

bossman