What is the correct tow-ball weight for my 2023 Kia Sportage?
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Asked by Alasdair
The ball weight of a vehicle is usually 10 per cent of the load rating. I have the 2023 Kia Sportage SX+, rated at 1900kg, but the ball weight is only 100kg, and not 190kg. Why? On tow-bar company websites they rate their tow bars at 1900kg/ 190kg. Is 100kg correct?
Answered by CarsGuide
15 Jan 2024The allowable maximum tow-ball weight for the Sportage will have been calculated by Kia using all the available information from the car's weight distribution to the spring rates, the ride height and wheelbase measurements and even the way the rear structure of the car is physically constructed. So that's what you should stick to and, yes, 100kg is the official tow-ball weight for this vehicle.
The theory that holds that tow-ball weight should be 10 per cent of the towed weight (while the reality for a lot of makes and models) is really just that; a theory, a rule of thumb, and definitely not a hard and fast rule. As such, there's nothing to force car-makers to stick to it. Which is why Kia hasn't for the Sportage.
There's another school of thought in other countries that the tow-ball weight should actually be closer to five per cent of the towed mass, at which point the Kia's limit starts to make more sense.
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