Kia EV6: Driving your vehicle / Trailer towing: (if equipped)

Contents:

• Hitches
• Safety chains
• Trailer brakes
• Driving with a trailer

If you plan to tow a trailer with the Kia EV6, first check the legal towing regulations and requirements established by your local Department of Motor Vehicles or other transportation authorities.

Trailer towing laws and equipment requirements may vary depending on the type of trailer, regional regulations, vehicle classification, and total trailer weight. For additional guidance regarding approved towing equipment and towing capacity, consult an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING

WARNING

CAUTION

NOTE

CAUTION

The Kia EV6 is capable of towing a trailer when equipped with the proper towing package and approved towing hardware.

To determine the exact towing capacity and allowable trailer weight for your specific Kia EV6 configuration, refer to the Reference Weight section for trailer towing specifications.

Driving with a trailer attached differs significantly from normal vehicle operation. Towing affects acceleration, braking performance, steering response, electric driving range, drivetrain load, suspension behavior, and overall handling characteristics.

Safe and successful trailer towing with the Kia EV6 requires properly matched equipment, correct trailer loading, and careful driving techniques.

This section contains important towing guidelines, safety precautions, and proven trailering recommendations designed to improve both driving safety and towing stability.

Always review the Kia EV6 towing information carefully before operating the vehicle with a trailer attached.

NOTE

Hitches

Using the correct hitch equipment is essential for safe and stable towing with the Kia EV6.

Crosswinds, rough roads, highway turbulence from large trucks, uneven pavement, and trailer sway can all affect towing stability if improper hitch equipment is installed.

Follow these important towing recommendations:

• If holes must be drilled into the Kia EV6 body or frame during trailer hitch installation, ensure all openings are properly sealed after installation or hitch removal.

  Unsealed openings may allow dirt, moisture, or water intrusion into the vehicle body structure.

• The rear bumper of the Kia EV6 is not designed to support bumper-mounted trailer hitches.

  Do not use rental-style bumper hitches or any towing system attached directly to the bumper structure.

  Always use a frame-mounted hitch specifically approved for the Kia EV6.

• No part of the rear license plate or rear lighting equipment may be blocked by the trailer coupling device.

• If any part of the coupling device partially obstructs the rear number plate or rear lights, only removable or repositionable towing devices approved by the manufacturer should be used.

• Mechanical coupling devices that require tools for removal are not permitted unless equipped with an approved quick-release mechanism requiring less than 20 Nm of operating force.

• Whenever the trailer hitch is not actively being used, reposition or remove the towing device if it obstructs the Kia EV6 rear plate or lighting system.

• Genuine Kia trailer hitch accessories and towing equipment for the Kia EV6 are available through authorized Kia dealerships.

• For optimal towing stability, periodically inspect the hitch assembly, safety chains, trailer wiring, and mounting hardware for looseness, corrosion, or wear before every trip.

Safety chains

Always connect safety chains between the Kia EV6 and the trailer whenever towing. Safety chains provide an additional level of protection in the event that the trailer becomes disconnected from the trailer hitch while driving.

Cross the safety chains underneath the trailer tongue so that the tongue cannot fall directly onto the roadway if separation from the hitch occurs.

Detailed instructions regarding proper safety chain installation may be supplied either by the trailer manufacturer or the hitch manufacturer. Always follow the recommendations provided by the equipment manufacturer when attaching safety chains to the Kia EV6.

Leave only enough slack in the safety chains to allow smooth turning and cornering movement while towing.

Never allow safety chains to drag on the ground, as this may damage the chains, create sparks, or lead to loss of trailer control.

Before every trip, inspect the safety chains on the Kia EV6 towing setup for wear, corrosion, loose attachment points, or damage that could reduce towing safety.

Trailer brakes

If your trailer is equipped with its own braking system, verify that the brake system complies with all local and state regulations and that it has been installed correctly and is operating properly before towing with the Kia EV6.

If the total trailer weight exceeds the maximum trailer weight permitted without trailer brakes, the trailer must be equipped with its own fully functional braking system.

The trailer braking system must provide adequate stopping performance and should be maintained according to the trailer brake manufacturer’s recommendations.

Always read and carefully follow the instructions provided with the trailer brake system so that installation, adjustment, testing, and maintenance procedures are performed correctly.

• Do not tap directly into the Kia EV6 brake hydraulic system when installing trailer brakes or towing equipment.

WARNING

Driving with a trailer

Towing a trailer with the Kia EV6 requires additional driving skill, awareness, and experience compared with normal vehicle operation.

Before driving on public roads, become fully familiar with the trailer, including its weight, braking behavior, turning characteristics, and overall handling response.

Keep in mind that the Kia EV6 and trailer combination will be longer, heavier, and less responsive than the vehicle alone. Acceleration, braking distance, lane changes, and cornering performance will all be affected while towing.

Before beginning a trip, carefully inspect the trailer hitch, hitch platform, safety chains, electrical connectors, trailer lighting system, tire condition, and side mirror adjustment.

If the trailer is equipped with electric brakes, slowly move the Kia EV6 and manually operate the trailer brake controller to confirm that the trailer brakes function correctly.

This procedure also helps verify that the trailer electrical connections are operating properly.

While traveling, periodically stop and inspect the trailer load, cargo tie-downs, safety chains, trailer lighting, tires, and brake system to ensure everything remains secure and functioning correctly.

Always allow greater following distance when towing with the Kia EV6 because stopping distances may increase significantly under load.

Reduce driving speed during strong crosswinds, downhill driving, rough roads, curves, or wet weather conditions, as trailer sway and reduced stability may occur more easily.

When descending steep grades with a trailer attached, maintain controlled vehicle speed and avoid excessive brake usage to reduce overheating and maintain braking performance.