Can I tow a 16 with a 2014 Kia Soul?

[S.S. Kessler]

I have just obtained an old-but-little-used Com-Pac 16 on a Magic Tilt trailer, on which I put new tires and repacked the wheel bearings. I wish I had a pickup to tow it, but I only have one friend with a pickup, and I have a 2014 Kia Soul with no trailer hitch as of yet. I think I should be able to tow the 16, because my Soul has a six-speed manual transmission and disk brakes. After all, this car weighs over 2,700 pounds, and we have all read of Com-Pac 16 pioneers towing it with a 2,220-pound Pinto, right?

What do guys think? I only need to tow it 8 miles to a landing, but I don't want this "free" boat to ruin my almost-new car.

[JTMeissner]

IMHO, yes, with caveats.  In the US, Kia doesn't seem to post a tow rating, nor is a hitch a standard feature or option. However, in Europe, many more small vehicles are equipped with tow hitches than their same models in the States. Many reasons for sure (liability, insurance, manufacturing standards, etc.), but nonetheless differences.

This site lists the Soul (2013) with a 2000 lb rating: https://rideapart.com/articles/top-five-small-and-inexpensive-cars-that-can-towhaul

Etrailer.com will sell you a hitch designed for your 2014 Soul, 2000 lbs rated with 10% tongue weight: https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2014_Kia_Soul.htm

Edit: adding this site from England, 550 kg unbraked trailer, 1300 kg braked. http://carleasingmadesimple.com/business-car-leasing/kia/soul-hatchback_2/64206/technical-data/

My CP-16 weighed in at about 17-1800 lbs when I last moved across the country (including the trailer). For a small car, I would recommend trailer brakes to assist, I pulled with a Silverado and barely noticed the boat.  I added a hitch to a Honda Odyssey and have towed the boat from storage to launch with it. It generally isn't a tow problem, it's a stop problem.  Next is pulling up a steep ramp, but generally the front wheel drivetrain is on dry ground.  Biggest hassle is the hitch is so low on passenger vehicles you may need to lift the ball to get a good tow angle or not scrape in dips/ruts (like my driveway gutter), and it may interfere with the rear hatch.  You may also need to sink your rear end without a tongue extension.

-Justin

[S.S. Kessler]

Thanks, Justin! I saw that article saying the Soul had a 2,000-pound towing capacity, but that was for a top-of-the-line Soul, which has a 2.0-liter engine. Mine is only 1.6 liter, but it is a manual transmission, and again, I only need to tow my CP-16 eight miles to the landing.

Do others agree that I should be OK? ... I can get a fully-wired, body-bolted hitch and ball installed by U-Haul for about $300.

[fried fish]

You only live once. Go for it!
When they mount the hitch to the car, pay attention to what it bolts to. If it is only sheet metal, well it is only sheet metal.
Good luck,
Fred

[Citroen/Dave]

Check the height of the hitch ball.  The trailer should be level when everything is hooked up. The hitch receiver can accept the ball mount of several different heights.

You may have to drive in a lower gear. I hope you are not crossing any mountains in that 8 miles but if you do, downshift.

[tmw]

I installed the hitch on my Ford Escape (only rated for 1000 pounds towing), and it was kind of rewarding to do it myself.  Watching the videos on youtube provided plenty of direction to ensure the job was completed right.  I don't see why you would regret having the hitch installed, even if you don't often tow the boat.

As for the distance, it can depend on the terrain.  You can monitor the engine temperature and performance to ensure it's not too taxing.  I've read that vehicles with increased towing capacity often have larger oil coolers to help keep the engines from overheating.

Best of luck with your new boat!

[Tom L.]

You have a very short distance to tow. Shouldn't be a problem at all. Biggest issue is the manual transmission. Nearly all mfgs. recommend automatic for towing even 1 ton pick ups.

Tom L.

[S.S. Kessler]

Thanks. It bolts to the frame, according to this YouTube video:https://youtu.be/EJFZGzUOw-Y

[S.S. Kessler]

I will be towing it into and out of the Lake St. Croix river valley on the MN/WI border, but it's only about 300 feet of elevation difference in those 8 miles.

[S.S. Kessler]

If I were towing it through a metro area, I can see why an automatic transmission would be preferable, but I will be towing it through a town into a river valley, and I think the manual transmission will help by letting me gear down, helping the brakes on the way down and providing extra torque on the way up.

[Tom L.]

SS that is true about driving on the open road with a manual vs automatic transmission. Down shifting/up shifting etc. But you can do that with an automatic to. If it has overdrive pull it out of overdrive...always.

The real issue is starting a load from dead stop  that may be close to twice as heavy than the original tow vehicle. Then add that to starting that load on a steep ramp. That becomes torture for a clutch. I know I fried a clutch trying to back a trailer up a modest driveway. There are many circumstances that will work considerably better with an automatic.

I know you have what you have but just writing this so others considering the manual vs automatic understand why manufactureres recommend the automatic transmission.