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Workshop Weekday: We Install (And Test) a Kia Niro Tow Hitch On A 2019 e-Niro Electric Car!
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2020
- Today's video is trying a new format to add to our mix of shows. It's unscripted (so there's a few more pauses than normal!)
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We're often told that electric cars can't tow... and most electric cars on sale today are sold with no towing capabilities (at least according to manufacturers).
But that's not stopping Kate Walton-Elliott from fitting a tow hitch to a 2019 Kia e-Niro EV.
Presenter: Kate Walton-Elliott
Produced: Transport Evolved
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Please watch: "2023 Kia Niro EV: Why You'll Want To Drive This"
• 2023 Kia Niro EV: A Fa...
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I often tow light trailers with my Model 3. On a 1200 mile trip to pick up a couch, despite the slower speeds towing (about 60mph because California limits trailers to 55) I remember a 10% to 20% range hit. Minimal on the way there, more losses with the couch breaking the wind.
And just the other day I hooked up the trailer to pick up a mini split heat pump for my shop, trailers are so handy, if you have a place to store them.
Thanks for the less common content, I find it interesting.
Regardless of being an EV or an ICE car, in the US they seldom rate "cars" for towing. The same models in Europe are usually rated to tow even though there are no structural differences. If a vehicle in both countries ARE rated to tow, the one in Europe almost always has a higher rating. European towing laws make it safer and therefore the higher tow ratings are permitted.
Would love to see the full install video if you can. It’s always nice to see the nity gritty on getting it installed.
Tow hitch will be a major consideration when I buy an EV.
Will only need tow 750 kgs.
Fortunately, they are coming. In Europe: Model Y/3, Mustang Mach-e, Skoda Enyaq, VW ID.4, and I think some more expensive models from Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes-benz. The e-Niro, however is only rated for carrying a 75 kg load on the hitch (ie carrying bikes only), and towing a trailer is actually illegal.
Same for me. I have an eBike and need a Tow bar to transport it to different rides.
Towing is important. We currently tow our camp trailer with our Model X. Our trailer, an Alto A2124 by Safari Condo is specifically designed to be aerodynamic to be less impact on range. Still, range is limited and we look forward to getting a Cybertruck with 500+ miles range. That should allow us 250 miles between charges easily.
Hi I have spent the last 4 months towing a 1600kg twin axle Bailey caravan around the Uk with my new Mercedes EQC its rated for 1800kg. I got the towbar factory fitted from new the only model available with a hitch in the UK is the bottom of the range Sport. The range, real world without the caravan is 200 to 220 miles, with the caravan 140 to 160. Charging is a pain when needed as most times I have to unhitch then charge. Towing is effortless and stable ( the legal limit is 60mph in the UK) I owned 3 Toyota Landcuisers over the past 34 years I prefer the EQC. Just wish the range was better, short hops and stay a couple of days is the new norm.
I wish more EV manufacturers would design for tow hitches, despite the hit that takes on range. Towing with an EV is a dream, way nicer than an ICE vehicle. As a farmer (with chickens! yay!) a trailer is a must. Same for many in construction. Range needs are typically low, so battery hit is a non issue, or a planning issue. Like always!
There are real small motorcycle tent campers or a small teardrop camper with enough room to sleep in and the kitchin is outside with a lift up door with stove water and cooler or frig. This is made to be towed by a small car. If you are in a do it your self try a small cargo trailer conversion. there are plenty of you tube videos on this and you can control the added weight.
Agree about how nice it would be to have a tow hitch install video with details like connection points structurally and electrically. How long an endoscope?
I have a 2018 Model 3 and I am thinking about installing a tow hitch. Mostly for putting on a bike rake for my e-bike, but I could see getting a small utility trailer for hauling yard stuff. Luckily there are some pre-designed options for the Model 3. Now I just need to figure out the time and expense. Fortunately I have a friend with a lift in his garage to make this sort of work less back breaking.
Ideally I want the VW ID Camper😁
That is going to be my midlife crisis car😁 I can't wait
@@tvtech77 it's gonna be very very expensive though.
Have a guess.
I'd say starting price €80,000
@@marks-0-0 well I started saving when I first saw it
Get in the queue!! I have the money waiting, also my mid life crisis vehicle. My guess is £50,000 for the base model, £60,000 for the 4WD beast.
I just ordered a hitch for my 2017 Volt. Officially not supported, but should work just fine. Looking forward to it.
Ahhh, towing.
I use my diesel estate car for my carpentry and making work. My reasoning has always been that I can get a lot of stuff in the back, on the roof, and in a trailer. The reason I don't run a van, or pick up truck, as a commercial vehicle is because I also want to transport my family members, be able to park in car parks, and not have the restrictions of running, storing, insuring, and generally funding/fuelling a commercial vehicle as well as a family car. One economic vehicle is always going to be easier then one mid sized car and one large van/pick up truck.
I have three trailers, and two different roof racks, that cover all my transport needs and the ability to use those is paramount to my ability to run a single efficient vehicle for personal and professional use. For work I can run solo, or load the roof, or take one of three trailers to suit the load in order to minimise the fuel use.
My smallest trailer even flat packs to travel inside the car for the unladen leg of the round trip.
Most of the trailer journeys tend to be 70-100 miles and so range for a modern EV wouldn't be a problem. Also I could park the trailer at the job site while the car is charging elsewhere while I work.
It has been the secondary (primary being cost) reason for not having purchased or leased an EV so far. I have yet to find an affordable large estate car that will seat 5 adults, tow a 1600kg trailer, and use a roof rack.
So, given I have a vehicle that will do all that running on diesel, I have taken the step of converting it to EV using second hand parts. If nothing else it will cater for a lot of my 30 mile radius work until a better solution arises.
I would also love to see the full install video because I have similar towing needs
Towing is not something I do any more. However, I have a tow hitch on my (ICE) car and would want one on the EV I really would like to buy. I use the hitch to mount a bicycle rack on the car to carry my eBike. Without a bike on it, the rack is a negligible drag, although I do notice the weight on the back, more so than towing a box trailer. But add a bike and the air drag is quite noticeable, especially on the highway.
Nice coop. Like the idea of the water column supported from the roof. On the subject of letting us down. That’s a fowl notion.
Yes. I’m getting my coat...
The loading of a hitch during normal towing I guess, is mainly on the hitch-bar, (the hitch’s framework) and connection points at the chassis. Then there’s the down load in the ball and thus the suspension, which in the case of OEM, is often up uprated or setup differently, to account for the loading of a fully laden towing vehicle. This gives a stiffer twitchy backend when not towing. But for the buyer who specs. a hitch from new, the expectation, is that the vehicle will be mainly used for towing. Like pickups/trucks/UTEs, when the backend isn’t loaded, the rear can feels like it’s not planted on the road and may step-out on bends and uneven roads. The brakes are routinely uprated too. All that with normal expected loading.
Given the possibility of a crash/wreck. The dynamic loading on the entire chassis and linkages is immense. Providing that nothing snaps and the trailer, (braked or un-braked) remains connected to the towing vehicle. Normal loadings then get thrown out the window. It doesn’t help that many accident-towers, also flip sideways and many of those that flip also roll. Not many auto makers test for rollover protection, with results they’re willing to publicise. I doubt there’s a single auto maker of small vehicles, that tests for rollover while towing.
So under normal loaded towing, there’s a vehicle and an attached weight hanging off the backend. Which you know at higher speeds, will become a tail wagging the dog. But everything is hunky-dory, apart from the reduced fuel efficiency. Then it suddenly goes pear shaped and even quicker goes all honey shaped. You better have a prepared good word with a deity of your choosing. And or hope the auto maker has at least had a passing plan for your present predicament. That the chassis, suspension rating & setup, rollover protection and all static & non-static linkages are to spec. and up to the job. The only job that has any bearing at this point. That of protecting the vehicle’s occupant/s. If the trailer and or its cargo detaches, it/they become just large shrapnel.
A ground-up EV can if wanted, be designed for ‘extra’ tow loading. In the case of vehicles such as the Bolt, Ioniq, Kona & Niro EVs, etc. The original frame and chassis were designed as one thing and with certain mods. became something else. Perhaps the structural frame, chassis, suspension, brakes & drivetrain, as per original OEM spec., just aren’t up to the extra actual stresses and potential dynamic loadings of towing in all its guises.
Hi from Australia love your show . I would love to tow with my Model 3. Tesla said it's coming soon; as Elon says 'still waiting'
My friend has a Toyota corolla and towed a pop up camper thru the hills and burned out his transmission. They are heavier then you think. Maybe those little egg shaped trailers might be more doable. I wonder if this install will void your warranty? I admire your guts Kate.. Nice vid, thumps up.
I own a kia e-niro in canada. Kia dealer accept to instal after market towing hitch, keeping the warranty intact as long as you say it will only carry bicycle rack or so. Once home, I guest it is up to you.
Would be great if you can have data from an ob2 as if the batterie/electric motor overheat while towing, giving an idea if towing will prematurely degrade batterie/motor capacity/lifetime.
Luv your show. Thanks
Dave Cavanagh .... how could the car overheat?? You don’t think the system does not have a built-in safety which reacts to variety of temp sensors .... just like BMS won’t allow you to charge at 75kW for long, it will not allow the drivetrain self destruct because of towing an extra weight .... I think this overheating is a bit of public myth. What do you think is worse for and EV car .... fully loaded car going up a long 45 gradient hill at speed, or towing a trailer on relatively flat road? I don;t think either is a problem ... from drivetrain standpoint. None.
Are there such things such as electric assist trailers? These could either contain batteries to allow the car and trailer extra range, or have batteries and an electric motor to allow the trailer to assist the car when going up-hill, accelerating etc (a bit ike an electrically assisted bicycle)? When going down-hill and braking, the system would regen the batteries.
Actually, I purchased a 2020 Bolt EV this March, and Chevrolet does offer a Tow Hitch for it. Granted it is not very substantial, however, it is available. I didn't get one at the time of purchase, but I did get one through my local U-Haul dealer a couple months after that.
The hitch for the bolt that GM offers is not strong enough to tow with
@@transportevolved LOL wow did NOT realize that. I guess it's a good thing I got the U-Haul Hitch then!
@@jcaughman01 Too right! The original hitch from GM is only meant to be for carriers like hitch boxes etc. If you look, it doesn't have anywhere to hook chains!
Thank you for the update on towing. Someday, I hope to be able to afford an EV that will tow our 2,500 lb. teardrop trailer.
Darling, the lighting was beautiful when u cut but still i enjoyed hearing about tows &(here's the hitch....ha) the various involved histories ( camping trips- long distance experiences, etc.) Luv y'all here in Big D! So glad u guys have survived the horrendously devastating fires. Jeez🙀
Would love a towbar for my Nissan Leaf just so I can put a bike rack on it. But in the UK it's not allowed. Just hope by the time I'm looking for my next car an affordable one will be on the market, that can take a towbar.
We believe a bike carrier is allowed... just not a tow bar for towing.
How heavy of a loat could you tow? Ofcours I will need a smal trailer to tow.
And thank you for you video. Yes I gonna first install a tow bar! ❤
Kate and team, can you look into the legal aspect more please, I am looking at getting the ENV200 and know you can buy a tow hitch for the ICE version, but not the EV, I read a great long thread with two guys arguing whether it was legal or not, to me, it looks like a not!
At least next year we should have the new Nissan and hopefully the Sono coming out, which can both have tow bars/hitches.
This towing issue is a really pain. We are keeping our old Berlingo going cos we really can't do without our trailer and fittings a towbar unofficially isn't legal in Denmark. Sion is definitely a possibility otherwise the EV Berlingo should be available in 2022 (van version next year).
Legal issues vary greatly by country and manufacturer.
I don’t own an ev but hope to eventually and would prefer one I could tow with. Not crazy about towing trailers but it is handy to be able to if need be.
I have a 93 Toyota HiAce for dirty jobs. So I don't need to fit that in my beloved Citroën C5 tourer. 😁
A "tent trailer" could be made much more streamlined than they typically are. They are basically just a box on wheels. They make some that are more teardrop shaped for motorcycles but they are waaaaay toooo small for 2 people.
Hope you document the trailer restoration. That would be interesting.
An interesting topic and one that isn't usually talked about in the EV world so "Congtrats" there.
Hey these halloween shirts are COOL
Hi guys, could you make a brief video about Electrify America's upgraded pricing tiers and what it would mean in terms of charging costs from 10-80 % ?
I personally would not buy a new long range EV without an OEM tow hitch. I just told that to a Kia dealer a week ago ... he said he will get back to me, but hoped it will not be a problem. People forget, it’s not just to pull trailers, its more often to attach a proper bike rack, so I can carry bikes. Bikes on roof are insanity, on any car.
I would really like to fit a hitch to my MG ZS EV , not for long distance, but local transport of garden supplies and general use. Most UK and Euro EV's are not homologated for towing therefore are a legal and insurance nightmare. Despite having the exact same bodyshell (minor battery fixings excepted) they are quite capable but companies seem reluctant to do so?
Nice video. . I get about the same general economy as you as well..
Regarding towing i am from the UK and its not very common, its also not important for me BUT I would be slightly worried about the cars warranty...
When you are towing and recharging are there any problems parking in front of the charger? I would imagine a car plus trailer might be too long to fit in the parking space.
Good question. My initial thought is to unhitch the trailer into a conventional parking space and then go and recharge.
Depends on the charger configuration and how busy it is. We drop the trailer about 1/2 the time. This of course means we means to charge 1/2 the time without dropping it.
24kw Leaf here. I do miss having the option if I'm honest
Airstream trailers are aerodynamic
Might be illegal to drive in our country when the brand say no. Idk what happen if we add hitch despite the ban and got involved in accident. Insurance may be void. Car guarante is of course gone.
Very good topic. Would adding a tow aftermarket would void the warranty? Kate the next video could ya speak up s little bit more I had my volume turned all the way up with inside small box as my speaker and I could Not hear you too well. I had to put my phone right to my ears to hear ya and to u understand what you said.
I easily put the tow bar on my 2020 Kia Soul EV but since kia says I can't tow with it I am having trouble finding the information on the signal lights. On the ICE version there is a kit that just plugs in and wends its way behind the tail lights. what did you do?
"Scamp" is, I think, the small caravan you are thinking of.
I hate my LEAF for not having a legale Tow Hitch in Denmark..
Kona EV the petrol tow hitch fits as far as I know.
HELL YES! K.W.E.!
I just bought an old petrol car because there is no option for a cheap electric car with a tow hitch. The eNiro is a the moment the car I would really like to switch my Mercedes Vaneo for, but they are hard to get here in Germany and the add on of the hitch would be to expensive at the moment...
I did not know that you bough a E nero and I see that you still have the BMW i3 .
Would love a chicken tour!
I saw the picture backwards and wondered" wtf why did you put a lift on the front of a toaster."
More chicken videos please! Lol
This is one of my big issues at the moment with moving to an EV. I need a family friendly car that can comfortably fit 4 adults with their luggage but I frequently us a trailer for local jobs such as dump runs, buying furniture and building materials and also once a year for a family holiday where it needs to come 350ish miles with us to bring all the self catering gubbins we always need. That last requirement could be overcome by hiring a car for the holiday I guess but the couple of times a month use in the local area would not be practical and range would really not be an issue for that.
I'm thinking the next car will need to be PHEV for exactly that reason, not because I don't want to drop the ICE but because I will need to tow and insurance of a non approved aftermarket hitch would be a nightmare (and a non-starter if I lease which I would like to do).
If you can wait, VW ID.4 may be able to do all you ask.
nice. small trailer or sailboat.
You got ships in the tank of a car?
The volume is so low I cannot hear you
Catalina 22 sport
How many miles do you loose running winter tires in the summer?
I think about 5ish %, but will have some stats at the end of the summer. ^Kate
I've swapped to MICHELIN
CrossClimate all year round with negligible consequences for fuel economy.
I need towing. One of the reasons EV's are not rated to tow is the slope rule. Without a low gear they can't get up a mountain with a trailer.
I can't think that is true. As most EVs have more horse power than the petrol equivalent and more torque, I don't see why they wouldn't be able to two up hills, unless maybe it is a very long hill and the motor cooler can't cope, but that happens with ICE cars as well of course.
@@SheepShearerMike Yes cooling is the issue. Tow packages for larger ICE pickups include transmission coolers. Also some old EV's don't have the torque.