We have just bought a Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XS 2005 model which has parking sensors. Our previous car was fitted with a fixed towbar and we had planned to do the same with our Kia. However, it seems that there are concerns with the parking sensors and would like some advice on whether it causes any problems with or without the caravan hitched on (being that they are activated). We have an Alko stabiliser fitted to the caravan.
Would really appreciate some help with this before we go ahead with fitting a new towbar. Have searched many websites/forums via Google and am still concerned which way to go from here. Can the parking sensors be switched off (as can be done on my mum's Honda CR-V).
I have a New 2.5 Kia Sorento Titan and obviously ours has parking sensors. Our Sorento has a fixed tow bar (not detachable) it is not seen by the sensors. Go ahead there's no problem.
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i have no problem with the sensors on my car when hitched, but i can switch them off if need be ,,i find them helpful to me when reversing back onto a pitch... or getting it back on the drive, as i have to jack knife the outfit to get it unhitched and the car away just to pull it 5 feet to it's final position...the sensors stop me hitting the caravan to within 2" ...works a treat in my opinion
I've got a fixed towbar on my 2006 Sorento, plus sensors, and there's no problem. I think it's possible to fit a relay or switch so that they're deactivated when reversing with the caravan on the back.
You could check out the relay/switch idea at:
http://kiasorento.proboards46.com/index.cgi?action=login
I have a Kia Sorento Titan 2007. It has reversing sensors and I was concerned about them detecting the Witter fixed towbar I was having fitted, NOT the extended Alko type. I enquired widely about whether the reversing sensors would detect the towbar as an obstruction. I had differing advice from Kia UK and Kia dealers. Kia UK said it might detect the towbar but they could tell a Kia dealer of a way around this. Kia UK would NOT tell me!! Many Kia owners on the Sorento forum said that it would NOT be a problem.
I, also, wanted a 13 pin socket fitted. Kia dealers and other towbar fitters seemed to find this difficult. After some trouble I got my usual mechanic to fit a Witter Towbar with Towequippe (Westfalia branded) 13 pin socket and wiring. This uses the plugs/sockets in the Kia wiring loom, need for scotch locks or cutting wiring loom, to connect the towbar electrics and switches off the reversing sensors when the caravan is hooked up.
When I am not hooked up the reversing sensor work normally and "ignore" the standard type towball - it does not, of course, stick out as much as Alko type towbar would but I think even that would probably be okay.
Incidentally if you are having the 13 pin wiring and socket fitted make sure that the correct 13 pin wiring is fitted as some 13 core cable sold in the UK by some companies does not conform to the European standards for size of the cores. It is, also, important that the correct pins for powering the caravan fridge are included in the socket. Even though I bought an additional section of wiring for the fridge electric from Towequippe the actual 13 pin socket from Towequippe was missing the required pin. My mechanic had to re-assemble the car's wiring after he had started on the job and wait for Towequippe to send out the extra pin!!!
All's well that ends well, however and 13 pin electrics are now working fine. Reverse sensors are working too, on and detecting, NO problems with detecting tow ball, when solo and off when towing.
Please post again if you have any further questions as I spent an age on getting this right but got there in the end.
Thanks so much to you all for the advice, it has been really helpful to know that you have been there with your own vehicles and so far it seems that we won't experience too much of a problem having the towbar fitted. Cross fingers we don't have any problems with the sensors, but it looks like if we do it will only be in reverse with the caravan hitched up.
S
Thanks again! We get the Sorento this Saturday and am looking forward to driving our first 4x4 - from the last message I think my husband will make sure he drives in front in case I try for the reversing method all the way home
As I said in my previous post it is important that you get the towbar wiring kit specific to the Kia Sorento as only that type will turn off the reversing sensors when hitched up. It is, also, important that you specify twin or 13 pin wiring for towing a CARAVAN so that you get the fridge connection included.
Happy towing. We have been very pleased with our Sorento and towed c4000 mile in France this summer.
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Topic: towing with parking sensors on Kia Sorent
