I finally got all this mess put on the new '11 I bought. It's got the 3500# prep package.
1) Hidden Hitch from etrailer.com.
2) Mazda harness from Mazda dealer
3) Harbor Freight steel cargo carrier
So, the hitch and harness have been beat to death here, read the instructions and you really can't screw it up.
The cargo carrier is a HF deal, on sale, you know the drill. I looked at the Al one, and it had too much plastic on it and was 2x the price. Same weight rating, and the steel is 8lbs heavier. WAY better band for your HF buck.
The stock reflective bits (the 2 red decals to the sides) aren't, IMO, enough visual indication of the carrier. Also, I have 2 needs -- one where the carrier can be close in to the vehicle, and one (tall cargo) where it needs the stock distance.
So, to the stock HF carrier, I:
- Drilled another set of pin holes for a 5/8 pin which position the carrier closer to the vehicle (the pictures reflect that, no pics of the stock distance). Dressed the new holes to prevent chafing and rust.
- Added 2 LED strips and wired them up to a 4-pin standard trailer connector, for running lights only (no turn signals). I ran the wiring through the center channel, with the appropriate holes drilled, dressed, and then sealed. The wiring exits the Hidden Hitch reciever at the front, and then wraps behind. I really like this wiring job, and the conduit is extremely heavy duty (its some spark plug wire wrap i had laying around). Connections all soldered.
- Added some reflective tape to the center button (it was just painted red). I had this laying around as well, thought it was a nice touch.
And now I'm ready to carry the cooler, the chairs and all that other crap in style.
1) Hidden Hitch from etrailer.com.
2) Mazda harness from Mazda dealer
3) Harbor Freight steel cargo carrier
So, the hitch and harness have been beat to death here, read the instructions and you really can't screw it up.
The cargo carrier is a HF deal, on sale, you know the drill. I looked at the Al one, and it had too much plastic on it and was 2x the price. Same weight rating, and the steel is 8lbs heavier. WAY better band for your HF buck.
The stock reflective bits (the 2 red decals to the sides) aren't, IMO, enough visual indication of the carrier. Also, I have 2 needs -- one where the carrier can be close in to the vehicle, and one (tall cargo) where it needs the stock distance.
So, to the stock HF carrier, I:
- Drilled another set of pin holes for a 5/8 pin which position the carrier closer to the vehicle (the pictures reflect that, no pics of the stock distance). Dressed the new holes to prevent chafing and rust.
- Added 2 LED strips and wired them up to a 4-pin standard trailer connector, for running lights only (no turn signals). I ran the wiring through the center channel, with the appropriate holes drilled, dressed, and then sealed. The wiring exits the Hidden Hitch reciever at the front, and then wraps behind. I really like this wiring job, and the conduit is extremely heavy duty (its some spark plug wire wrap i had laying around). Connections all soldered.
- Added some reflective tape to the center button (it was just painted red). I had this laying around as well, thought it was a nice touch.
And now I'm ready to carry the cooler, the chairs and all that other crap in style.
