[Duncan]

I need to get a lift installed on my 2022 Niro PHEV.
First it needs a 2" trailer hitch installed with all the relevant lights and power taps.
Has anyone done this?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Duncan

 

[yticolev]

The easy way is to have U-Haul do it. But get the wiring harness from Kia first for a better install.

Relevant threads here are tough to search for but here are two:

Niro Plug-in Trailer Hitch and Wiring

Hi all, Just bought a 2020 Niro EX Plug-in. Love it so far. We need to put a trailer hitch on it (for very light-duty towing and a bike rack), and I've read a couple other threads here about people making a small modification to the Curt Niro hitch to make it fit. That sounds good -- but if...

www.kianiroforum.com

niro EV trailer hitch

is there a trailer hitch receiver available for the kia niro EV? is the rear of chassis, where a trailer hitch would mount the same on a normal niro, different than on the EV?

www.kianiroforum.com

 

[Bob.is.Here]

The easy way is to have U-Haul do it. But get the wiring harness from Kia first for a better install.

Relevant threads here are tough to search for but here are two:

Niro Plug-in Trailer Hitch and Wiring

Hi all, Just bought a 2020 Niro EX Plug-in. Love it so far. We need to put a trailer hitch on it (for very light-duty towing and a bike rack), and I've read a couple other threads here about people making a small modification to the Curt Niro hitch to make it fit. That sounds good -- but if...

www.kianiroforum.com

niro EV trailer hitch

is there a trailer hitch receiver available for the kia niro EV? is the rear of chassis, where a trailer hitch would mount the same on a normal niro, different than on the EV?

www.kianiroforum.com

HUMMmmmmmm Well I wouldn't do it. Your are dealing with un-sprung weight . (meaning There is no way to support the weight over bumps or dips in the road). The lift will weigh about 200 lbs. for a electric lift and the scooter will weight at least 175 lbs. The hitch will weigh about 75 LBS. All that weight has to sit behind the springs and suspension. The car won't hold that weight and the hitch will soon break or bend the rear of the car. At best it will hang at least 5 inches behind the back bumper.

 

[Duncan]

HUMMmmmmmm Well I wouldn't do it. Your are dealing with un-sprung weight . (meaning There is no way to support the weight over bumps or dips in the road). The lift will weigh about 200 lbs. for a electric lift and the scooter will weight at least 175 lbs. The hitch will weigh about 75 LBS. All that weight has to sit behind the springs and suspension. The car won't hold that weight and the hitch will soon break or bend the rear of the car. At best it will hang at least 5 inches behind the back bumper.
[/QUOTE

 

[Duncan]

Yea, I wasn’t thinking about the load so much as If hoist would be to hard on the electrical.
But now I think of how it bounced around on my Explorer may have to stick with my walker for now.
Thanks for the input.

 

[yticolev]

Your are dealing with un-sprung weight .

Sprung weight right? Cure is installing higher rate rate springs.

 

[vangone]

Sprung weight right? Cure is installing higher rate rate springs.

Beefier springs do not address having 350-400 pounds of weight behind the rear axle. Would think that this would raise the front end of the vehicle and adversely affect traction and maneuverability.

 

[Duncan]

How about air bags? I know they work for leveling out the car, but that is all I know.
Thanks All,
Duncan

 

[yticolev]

Beefier springs do not address having 350-400 pounds of weight behind the rear axle. Would think that this would raise the front end of the vehicle and adversely affect traction and maneuverability.

There is no other way to address extra weight (although in addition to higher rate springs, additional damping is best) and that is what would be the intervention of choice for any vehicle carrying a scooter (or motorcycle or bicycles, tool box, et cetera). Yes, every change to weight distribution changes handling. To which the driver can adjust. This is not a sports car.

 

[Jim Collins]

HUMMmmmmmm Well I wouldn't do it. Your are dealing with un-sprung weight . (meaning There is no way to support the weight over bumps or dips in the road). The lift will weigh about 200 lbs. for a electric lift and the scooter will weight at least 175 lbs. The hitch will weigh about 75 LBS. All that weight has to sit behind the springs and suspension. The car won't hold that weight and the hitch will soon break or bend the rear of the car. At best it will hang at least 5 inches behind the back bumper.

Absolutely true, I had Uhaul put a 2 " receiver on my 2017 ex but no way would I ever put a lift on it , I have A fold up carrier for it and I use Pride 10 Scooter, but because I don't need it all the time I store the carrier in my garage , for long trips I just fold down the back seat and put it inside , and still have room for luggage, safe and dry inside, oh by the way it doesn't even affect my mpg

 

[Duncan]

Absolutely true, I had Uhaul put a 2 " receiver on my 2017 ex but no way would I ever put a lift on it , I have A fold up carrier for it and I use Pride 10 Scooter, but because I don't need it all the time I store the carrier in my garage , for long trips I just fold down the back seat and put it inside , and still have room for luggage, safe and dry inside, oh by the way it doesn't even affect my mpg

I think mine is 10 also. I will see how it fits.

 

[yticolev]

Yes, inside is always best for mpg and simply better for stuff. A major reason I purchased the Niro is that I could put a bicycle inside upright with no disassembly and still have room to sleep inside. Putting it outside on a rack exposes it to the elements and possible theft or vandalism.

That said, while that suits me, it may not suit everyone. Scooters for the differently abled may best suit their owners needs by being more accessible stored behind the vehicle. I have no doubt that you can modify most cars appropriately and safely to meet such a need, including the Niro. A Smart car, well, that is an outlier for sure! Might tip over so suspension modifications wouldn't help.