Class III Trailer Hitch

[BBOB]

I noticed on some of the posts several questions concerning Class III hitches on the CX-9. I have a 2010 and was very suprised to find out that trailer tow package is really tow prep, several hundred dollars and no hitch or wiring. After some discussion with the dealer I found that Mazda only offers the smaller hitch, no two inch reciever class III. I purchased one from a local installer, a Drawtight class III with the two inch reciever. When they put it on they told me that installation was simple, all holes matched those on the Mazda. I was forced to go back to the dealer for the wiring as the installer had no plugs similar to the one beside the spare tire and they could not find power on the plug. Turns out when you pay the 80 dollars for the wiring package it comes with an additional fuse for your fusebox which sends power to the plug, it comes with grommets, wire ties, pretty much everything you need.

 

[Space Blue]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing, going with the class III, I'm affraid it may void my warranty. Did your dealer mention this to you? I just have a small 4X8 utility trailer I use to simple little jobs, like taking my riding mower somewhere, or taking the 4 wheeler out to the woods. I could easily get by with Mazdas class II but all my hardware is for a class III.

 

[Little John]

FWIW, one of the dealer's we went to said they usually send the AWDs down the street to U-Haul for a Class III hitch. Not sure if that voids the warranty, but if that's what the dealer does, it seems to me it would be fine.

 

[ceric]

Moss Magnu. Act.
Aftermarket parts do not void warranty unless dealers can prove that the said parts caused failure of other systems. (to that effect)

A hitch will not void any warranty for sure. The wiring, however, should be done carefully w/o causing electric failure. I would go with the factory wiring, since it is a simple plug and play.