Trailer Wiring

Bruce H

@Bruce H

May 9, 2024

daveshel said:
I have a new 2024 Sportage HEV LX. I needed a hitch and the dealer agreed to have it installed. Along the way we learned that the LX did not have a trailer brake controller, and could only support a 4-pin trailer harness. Since my trailer only weighs 950 pounds, so I was not concerned. I read somewhere along the line that if your Sportage lacks the brake controller, your twoing capacity drops to 1667 pounds.

So was the dealer able to install the Kia 4-pin harness? Perhaps my Sportage was just wired wrong...

Legacy Mode

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HybridEX25

@HybridEX25

Jun 19, 2025

daveshel said:
The dealer had it installed, but, yes the 4-pin harness is installed and working.

So, for your wiring harness, did they go through the trouble of splicing in a harness or did they find an aftermarket harness with 'T' connectors. My '25 Hybrid EX does not have the 6-pin connector for the OEM harness. Dealer did not offer any other options.

15 Replies

mhertel

@mhertel

Jul 5, 2025

James Hill said:
I have a new 2026 Sportage EX Premium (Canada) with an 8 pin harness behind the left rear cargo panel. Dealer not sure of a plug and play harness for trailer? Too new of a vehicle???? Anyone know?

I have the 2026 X-line limited. (Canada).. How did you get to that harness?

15 Replies

James Hill

@James Hill

Jul 5, 2025

mhertel said:
I have the 2026 X-line limited. (Canada).. How did you get to that harness?

If you open the back hatch. Remove the tread panel. Then remove the three screws holding the driver’s side cargo panel and start popping back that panel a little. Do not need to remove the whole panel just a bit to pull back a bit. It was behind that panel. Pre-wired for a tow harness but apparently the new harness hasn’t been released to markets yet (according to KIA dealership). It’s an 8 pin male plug.

15 Replies

mhertel

@mhertel

Jul 5, 2025

James Hill said:
If you open the back hatch. Remove the tread panel. Then remove the three screws holding the driver’s side cargo panel and start popping back that panel a little. Do not need to remove the whole panel just a bit to pull back a bit. It was behind that panel. Pre-wired for a tow harness but apparently the new harness hasn’t been released to markets yet (according to KIA dealership). It’s an 8 pin male plug. View attachment 120

Great, thanks for the info. A lot of stuff is not out yet for the 2026, but a lot of the 2025 accessories do fit.
Still trying to find a phone mount that clips to the screen..

15 Replies

pbechard

@pbechard

Jul 16, 2025

James Hill said:
If you open the back hatch. Remove the tread panel. Then remove the three screws holding the driver’s side cargo panel and start popping back that panel a little. Do not need to remove the whole panel just a bit to pull back a bit. It was behind that panel. Pre-wired for a tow harness but apparently the new harness hasn’t been released to markets yet (according to KIA dealership). It’s an 8 pin male plug.

Did you ever figure out the pin-out schematic for this plug?

15 Replies

steveo

@steveo

Jul 16, 2025

mhertel said:
I looked on the site and they didnt list anything for 2026.. I ordered a similar one from amazon for a 2025 and it did not fit..
I managed to build one from various parts..

Yes the '23 & '26 dashes look a bit different. The ProClip would mount in the blank space between the two screens, behind the upper right side of the steering wheel.

2023:

2026:

Of course you could just contact ProClip and ask. Squeeky wheel gets the grease!

15 Replies