Trailer Towing Hitch. Safety Chain. Trailer Brakes. Towing a Trailer

Towing a trailer with the Kia Opirus requires technical knowledge and preparation. Only original, approved tow hitches may be installed. The safety cable and functional trailer brakes are also mandatory. This chapter also explains the importance of safe following distances, reversing with a guide person, and driving through curves. It is a practical guide for anyone who wants to use the Kia Opirus to tow a trailer.

Trailer tow hitch

Use only original and approved KIA tow hitches.

Your KIA dealer will be happy to advise you. Because tow hitches are not "do-it-yourself" products, have a tow hitch installed properly by a KIA dealer. On request, your KIA dealer will also gladly handle the technical inspection and registration in the vehicle documents.

The safety cable

When towing, the towing vehicle and trailer must always be connected with a safety cable. Route the safety cable under the trailer drawbar so that the drawbar does not hit the ground if it becomes detached from the vehicle.

When attaching the safety cable, also observe the installation and safety instructions of the trailer and tow hitch manufacturers.

Route the safety cable loosely enough to leave sufficient slack for cornering, but make sure that the cable cannot drag on the ground.

The trailer brakes

Trailers that exceed a certain gross weight must be equipped with brakes.

Observe the trailer manufacturer's instructions regarding the care, maintenance and adjustment of the trailer brakes.

• Never attempt to connect hydraulic trailer brakes to the hydraulic brake system of your KIA.

Make sure that the brake system of your trailer is in proper working condition before using the trailer.

Checking and assessing the trailer brakes is not a "do-it-yourself" task.

Have this carried out exclusively by a qualified technician.

Driving with a trailer

Driving with a trailer requires experience. Before taking part in public road traffic with a trailer, it is advisable to practice towing a trailer.

Familiarize yourself beforehand with the handling, the driving behavior and braking under the additional load. Always remember that your trailer combination is considerably longer and less maneuverable than the vehicle without a trailer.

Before starting your journey, check the tow hitch, the safety cable, the cable connector, the function of the trailer lights, the tires and the mirror adjustment.

Check occasionally while driving that the load is adequately secured and that the trailer lighting and trailer brakes are working properly.

Safe following distance

When towing a trailer, keep a following distance at least twice as large as when driving without a trailer. This helps to avoid sudden braking and abrupt steering maneuvers.

Overtaking

Remember that overtaking with a trailer takes longer and that, due to the length of the trailer combination, you need a longer distance before you can pull back into your lane.

Reversing

Hold the steering wheel with one hand at the bottom edge. Turn the steering wheel to the left to steer the trailer to the left, or

turn the steering wheel to the right to steer the trailer to the right. Always reverse slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you.

Cornering

When towing a trailer, take curves with a larger turning radius than without a trailer, to avoid contact with road edges, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Signal in good time.

The combination of an approved tow hitch, a correctly installed safety cable and maintained trailer brakes makes the Kia Opirus 2003–2011 a safe towing vehicle. All of these components should be carefully checked before every journey.

Experience in handling a trailer and observing the recommended following distances contribute significantly to keeping the trailer combination under control, even in difficult situations.

Why is the safety cable necessary when towing a trailer?
It prevents the drawbar from dropping to the ground should it become detached from the towing vehicle.

How can reversing with a trailer be made easier?
By driving slowly and making precise steering movements with your hand at the bottom edge of the steering wheel.