[eatbikenap]

Thanks to your inspiration, I did the same with my installation and I'm much happier leaving the muffler guard in place. If you already have your grinder out and some primer on hand to modify the hitch, why not go for it with the guard as well?
Cheers,
Dave

 

[realto]

I'm waiting for a Class 1 hitch, just to tow bicycles. A class 2 hitch is really overkill, and Class 3 ridiculous. I want no more than a 1" receiver, its less weight and space. But no way would I tow a trailer or mortorbikes, etc. in a hybrid.

 

[bostonniroowner]

I was able to get the Curt Trailer Hitch (https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Curt/C13329.html) installed on my 2018 PHEV today. No cutting necessary! I went to https://www.capworld.com/ in Saugus (Boston Area) and they did it in 1 hr for $100. They said it was really tight but didn't have to cut a thing. I called a UHaul and they were reluctant. Hope this helps others... I've been looking into doing this a very long time and was glad it was so easy. Now to find the right carrier...

 

[bostonniroowner]

To follow up, ended up getting this 300lb capacity ATV cargo carrier very cheap from Harbor Freight (300 lb. Capacity ATV Cargo Carrier). I wanted something smaller than the big 60" wide carriers, and one that had an angled hitch since the Niro doesn't have that much clearance. This carrier is light and cheap. Great buy when paired with a hitch tightener.

 

[Newfoundland]

I made an appointment to have Rack and Roll store in Seattle install a Curt hitch with 2" receiver (much better for bike rack than 1.25"). They say they can do it but just need to trim a small piece. They are more expensive than Uhaul but I just have a better feeling about the store. I will post after the installation. One downside it that it will reduce ground clearance. Robert

Please let us know how it turned out with the Seattle installer and show a towing picture. Any driving changes you noticed?

 

[Sstr Maria]

I ordered and installed the Curt C12171 1-1/4" trailer hitch receiver.
It's fit for purpose for my bike rack and 30 lbs lighter than the 2".
I have not noticed any driving changes with it.

Amazon.com: Class 2 Trailer Hitch with Ball Mount, 1-1/4-Inch Receiver for Select Kia Niro: Automotive

Buy Class 2 Trailer Hitch with Ball Mount, 1-1/4-Inch Receiver for Select Kia Niro: Drawbar Hitch - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Curt/C12171.html

There's a video there of how to install and people have posted pictures of their bike racks in the receiver.
I would not consider towing anything.

 

[Caroline]

Hello

I want ton install a hitch on my Niro PHEV and I can't find the detailed instructions you're mentionned. Can you tell me where I can find them?
Thank you

Caroline

My Kia dealer just installed a CURT 13329 receiver hitch on my 2018 Kia Niro PHEV. This is a hitch that is made for the Niro, but requires a simple modification to fit the PHEV. The modification requires using an angle grinder, or some other cutting tool, to cut a small notch (1/2" X 2 1/2") in the right side (passenger) vertical flange. The notch allows for a fit around a channel that is peculiar to the PHEV. If you find the CURT website and plug in "Kia Niro" it matches with the CURT 13329 hitch. Scroll down the reviews for the hitch and you will find a discussion with pictures of fitting the hitch to the PHEV.

My dealer was initially reluctant to install the hitch.............because they had never before installed one on a PHEV. When I went back with the detailed instructions from the CURT website and the pictures from the reviews, they decided they could use my vehicle as their prototype. Modification of the hitch and installation time: 40 minutes. Charge: $58.

I will not be towing anything. Hitch will be used only for bike rack.

 

[Dovidan]

I ordered and installed the Curt C12171 1-1/4" trailer hitch receiver.
It's fit for purpose for my bike rack and 30 lbs lighter than the 2".
I have not noticed any driving changes with it.

Amazon.com: Class 2 Trailer Hitch with Ball Mount, 1-1/4-Inch Receiver for Select Kia Niro: Automotive

Buy Class 2 Trailer Hitch with Ball Mount, 1-1/4-Inch Receiver for Select Kia Niro: Drawbar Hitch - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Curt/C12171.html

There's a video there of how to install and people have posted pictures of their bike racks in the receiver.
I would not consider towing anything.

Who did your install? Thanks

 

[Sstr Maria]

Who did your install? Thanks

The local truck & trailer center, who are professional trailer hitch installers.

 

[Mikek7]

Successfully installed my hitch last weekend on my 2020 Niro Phev.
I got 1.25" hitch from Curt and angle grinned the one side to get it to fit. I also angle grinned the exhaust guard and kept it installed instead of removing it completely.
Class 2 Trailer Hitch, 1-1/4" Receiver, Select Kia Niro

The hitch feels very solid and I'm not concerned about the modification. There 6 bolts in total holding everything in place.

I'll be just using this for Bike carrier and maybe a small cargo tray. Won't be using it for any towing.
I haven't noticed any millage impact, the hitch only adds additional 26 lbs to the car.

 

[JRD]

Hi all-- the local dealer told me that installing a trailer hitch receiver on our 2019 Niro PHEV would likely void the warranty. I then called Kia USA customer support, and they told me that installing a receiver hitch to haul bikes (not used for towing so no wiring harness or heavy loads) would indeed void aspects of the warranty, especially in regard to any of the sensors on the rear end of the car. I have a hard time accepting this, as many new cars with rear cameras and sensors have tow package options! Do any of you forum members have a letter from Kia or a dealer or some other documentation you could share with me so I can install a Curt receiver hitch knowing that it won't void the warranty?

Thanks!

 

[Spiritwalker2222]

I don't know how a bicycle can break a sensor (assuming no physical contact). Now on my last trip with bicycles my BSD gave me a warning that there was something in the way and disabled itself. But as soon as I removed the bicycles, everything was back to normal.

 

[yticolev]

I don't think it will "break" the sensor, but you can hardly claim a warranty repair for a non-functioning blind spot sensor that has a bicycle in its way and can be "fixed" by removing it. A bit laborious reasoning, but perhaps what they meant.

I have read of people who have bikes on the back with constant warnings. Not sure if they figured out how to resolve the issue or just live with it when carrying bicycles.

 

[JRD]

Here's an excerpt from a response from one of the experts at etrailer:

"Adding a trailer hitch receiver ... that bolts on to the frame of your 2017 Kia Niro will not void your warranty from Kia. You are covered under federal law. Consumers of aftermarket products are protected by the Federal Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act. The Act states that if something breaks on your vehicle and you take it in for warranty repair, the dealer must honor your warranty unless whatever modifications you have added to your vehicle actually caused the problem in question."

This is solid enough information for me to not worry about voiding the warranty!

 

[Spiritwalker2222]

And for Canadian's, we have a similar law. It has a different name, but I forget what it's called.

 

[PapaTodd]

Resurrecting this thread with a related question...

Those of you who have put a hitch on your Niro PHEV, did you have any issues with the wiring? What wiring harness did you use? I ask because, on the etrailer web site, they list two custom wiring harnesses for the Niro -- a Tekonsha brand, and a Curt. However, they both say "excluding plug-in". I am far from an expert on vehicle wiring, but I'm guessing there is no actual difference between the wiring for the lights whether it's a plug-in or a regular hybrid. I suspect that the only reason it says "excluding plug-in" is that there isn't a hitch made specifically for the plug-in model, rather than it having anything to do with the wiring itself.

2020 Kia Niro Trailer Wiring | etrailer.com

Thanks!
Todd

 

[yticolev]

As a BTW, I've read this query at least 4 times now. Most regulars on this forum simply go to new posts. There are far more subforums (a silly number) than there are daily posts so new posts are the easiest way to see what you want to read. That said, when trying to reach a particular member, a PM is probably best. That generates an email to them even if they have not visited to see your post.

 

[PapaTodd]

As a BTW, I've read this query at least 4 times now. Most regulars on this forum simply go to new posts. There are far more subforums (a silly number) than there are daily posts so new posts are the easiest way to see what you want to read. That said, when trying to reach a particular member, a PM is probably best. That generates an email to them even if they have not visited to see your post.

Okay, thanks!

 

[theQball80]

I'm thinking of doing this mod to the Draw-tite shown below. It doesn't have the 3rd vertical bolt like the Curt. But when the hitch is weighted (biked only) the rear bolts are kind of like a pivot point and would probably put upward pressure on the forward bolt. So losing "meat" above the forward bolt hole shouldn't be a problem.
The Drawtite sits higher off the ground and has to cut the rear plastic shield a bit. But I think it looks better.