How to Install a Trailer Hitch on a 2018 Kia Soul

To add a trailer hitch to your 2018 Kia Soul you’ll need a few tools, a CURT 11419 trailer hitch and about 60 minutes to complete the installation. Follow the steps below to start adventuring in your Kia Soul today.

About the CURT 11419

The CURT 11419 is a class 1, bolt-on hitch custom designed for the 2018 Kia Soul. The hitch weighs approximately 32 lb. and has a max trailer weight of 2,000 lb. and a max tongue weight of 200 lb. – perfect for a cargo carrier or bike rack. There is no welding or drilling required for this installation.

Tools needed:

  • Exhaust pliers
  • Safety glasses
  • Phillips screwdriver 
  • Torque wrench 
  • Battery terminal brush
  •  Ratchet with Phillips bit
  • 17mm box wrench
  •  17mm socket with 5 in. extension
  • Socket wrench
  

2018 Kia Soul hitch installation steps

1. Remove the wheel well liners

Start by removing the rear passenger and driver side wheel well liners so you can access the weld nuts. Each liner is held in place by three plastic fasteners and three screws near the outer edge of the fascia. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove them. You may need to use a socket wrench with a Philips' head to access the screws.

2. Locate the weld nuts

After the screws and fasteners are removed, pull the liner away from the wheel well and locate the weld nuts. There are three on both the rear driver side and passenger side on the vehicle frame.

3. Lower the exhaust

Remove the rearmost isolator rod from the exhaust hanger using a Phillips screwdriver or exhaust pliers. The exhaust will loosely dangle in place, but it will be supported by the axel so you don’t need to worry about it being damaged.

4. Clean the weld nuts (if necessary)

You may need to clean the weld nuts if there is visible corrosion on the threads. Check that all six weld nuts are free from dust and debris. You can use a battery terminal brush or thread tap to clean them.

5. Position and attach the hitch

Position the hitch so that the weld nuts line up with the attachment points. Tighten the six bolts with your hands first to keep the hitch in place. After the hitch is in place, tighten the bolts with the torque wrench fitted with a 17mm socket. Each bolt calls for 48 ft. lb. of torque. The torque wrench should make a clicking sound after reaching the correct torque.

6. Reattach the exhaust

With the hitch firmly in place, begin piecing everything back together starting with the exhaust. Simply raise the exhaust rod and firmly secure it back in the exhaust hanger. The exhaust should be loose enough to move but it should not touch the hitch.

7. Rebuild the wheel well liner

Working in reverse, reassemble the wheel well liner by inserting the three screws and three plastic fasteners on both sides of the vehicle. After everything is in place, you should only be able to see the 1 ¼-inch receiver tube receiver and tow hooks. The cross tube should be hidden behind the bumper fascia.

Once installed, the hitch should measure:

  • 11 in. from the inside of the receiver to the ground 
  • 5 ¼ in. from the pin hole to the end of the bumper 
  • 3 ¼ in. from the end of the receiver to the bumper

You should now have your CURT 11419 custom trailer hitch installed on your 2018 Kia Soul.

Whatever vehicle you drive, we have a trailer hitch for you. Don’t have the time to install yourself? Schedule a professional installation at uhaul.com and we’ll do the work. If U-Haul doesn’t have a hitch for your vehicle, nobody does!

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