Mazda CX5 AWD 2.5 petrol - towing a jayco camper trailer

[Kathysouthmoran]

Hi I am new to this forum. I am picking up my Mazda CX5 AWD 2.5 petrol this week. My husband and I will be towing a Jayco camper trailer with our CX5 for two to four weeks a year. I am a little concerned re the tow bar our Mazda dealership is offering and the closeness of the tow ball to the back bumper bar. We have not yet purchased our camper trailer and will be doing our best to keep the trailer at a weight lower than 1.5 tonne, The manual says you can tow 1.8 tonne. The trailer will be braked. Can I have some suggestions around tow bars? Can I also have suggestions as to whether we need to add shockers to the vehicle. And I am hoping some of the Mazda enthusiasts can give me some feedback on their experiences towing with the CX5. Thanking you in advance.

 

[johnygfunk]

There are a number of hitches that you can get for the cx-5. The mazda OEM hitch is only a class I with a 1.25 inch receiver (in the US). The 2000lb (1.8 tonne) maximum is the maximum for this type of receiver however, finding accessories here (in the US) is a little more difficult with this receiver hitch. Because of this I opted for a Hidden Hitch Class III with a 2 inch receiver slot (US). I used my dad's lift and was able to install the hitch following the Youtube video instructions in under an hour. All I needed was a torque wrench - all other parts were supplied.

Although the hitch can handle items outside the weight range of the CX-5 I have been able to find accessories (bike racks, platforms) much more easily with the larger class III hitch. I can also, if needed size the receiver down, you can't size a receiver up.

I would be very careful with overloading the CX-5 with a larger trailer. Giving yourself a few lbs of buffer margin will ensure that you don't overload your drive train. The idea of getting a trailer with brakes is also good as it is recommended in the manual for any large size trailer.

So, my vote is hidden hitch or Kurt. They are easy to install, require no cutting and are not unsightly. I believe the OEM hitch requires a tiny bit of cutting of the plastic on the bumper (if I remember correctly).

Edit: I have never heard the term "schokers" before so can't offer insight there.

Edit: Holy crap I completely did my conversion wrong 1.8 tonne is a bunch for the CX-5 - wonder why the NA version is rated so much lower.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I purchased my hitch from eTrailer.

http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2015_Mazda_CX-5.htm

 

[Kathysouthmoran]

Thanks for your reply. Shockers, otherwise known as shock absorbers in Australia are rear springs usually two placed in the rear of the vehicle to give you a more comfortable ride/drive. They are spring based? They also help keep your vehicle evenly loaded when towing.

 

[CC58]

Here in the US, the CX-5 is rated at 1 tonne (2000#) with trailer brakes. You Aussies and Europeans get a much more generous rating. Towing 3000# I would recommend an equalizer hitch rather than beefy rear shocks. An equalizer hitch distributes the load weight to all four wheels and makes a more stable towing vehicle. Also, at that weight, I would never tow faster than 60mph to avoid trailer sway.
Here are a few equalizer hitches (also called weight distribution hitch).
http://www.curtmfg.com/Category/278/Trunnion%20Bar%20Weight%20Distribution%20Hitches

 

[Kathysouthmoran]

Thanks. The link is extremely helpful.

 

[Kathysouthmoran]

We picked up our cx5 yesterday. Mazda fitted the tow bar/hitch. Looking forward to many years of happy motoring.

 

[jackyF123q]

Would it be nice of you have it check up by the professional look out of the product.

 

[CaboWabo]

Is a class II hitch ok on the CX5?

 

[inlinev]

Curious, why the higher tow rating for our friends on the other side of the Atlantic?

 

[CaboWabo]

Curious, why the higher tow rating for our friends on the other side of the Atlantic?

The US has stricter safety standards. Its the same car though, so it probably can tow 3000 if you want to risk it.

 

[MikeM.]

I am a little concerned re the tow bar our Mazda dealership is offering and the closeness of the tow ball to the back bumper bar.

What is your concern with the closeness of the tow ball to the back bumper?

Tow vehicles work better with the ball as close as practical to the rear axle. This reduces the chances of trailer sway.

 

[Ride92]

The US has stricter safety standards. Its the same car though, so it probably can tow 3000 if you want to risk it.

Not really, the us actually has very lax laws when it comes to towing. Any person with a standard drivers license can (not cdl) can tow up to 26,000lbs combined vehicle and trailer weight. That can be a lot of weight if you don't know what your doing. There is also no speed restriction on towing other the. Posted speed limits. Across the pond the restrictions on towing are much greater. You need a different endorsement to tow anything over 10,000lbs combined I believe and you can't go over 60 kph I believe. So you can't tow as much or as fast with out the government making sure your able to do so safely. Also the tongue weight in Europe is around 4-6% where the USA is usually around 10% so tongue weight plays a big factor into how much can be towed and at what speeds

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

You can get rear spring airbag inserts from firestone callwd ride rites too.

 

[piotrek91]

Curious, why the higher tow rating for our friends on the other side of the Atlantic?

This article explains this very very well. http://oppositelock.kinja.com/tow-me-down-1609112611
In summary, it all comes down to preventing trailer sway at towing speeds.

 

[jackyF123q]

Good tips from towing a mazda cx5. There are quite relevant to some of the tactics that have been featured from the car.

 

[Lbear]

Is 18" from the ground to the trailer ball top a good height for towing a trailer?

 

[MikeM.]

Is 18" from the ground to the trailer ball top a good height for towing a trailer?

That will work well with a number of trailers but every trailer has it's own needs. The ball height is specific to each trailer and is one of the most critical things for stable towing. A couple inches can make a big difference.

 

[Lbear]

That will work well with a number of trailers but every trailer has it's own needs. The ball height is specific to each trailer and is one of the most critical things for stable towing. A couple inches can make a big difference.

As long as the trailer is level when attached to the ball, that is the main factor, correct?

 

[CC58]

As long as the trailer is level when attached to the ball, that is the main factor, correct?

Yes, that is important. Also take it out and test for stress factors. (lol2)

You should also make sure your trailer's tongue weight is not above 150# using a bathroom scale.