CX-5 Class III Hitch available

[raden]

I'm not trying to knock you or anything, but I'd have a hard time putting an American flag on the back of a Japanese vehicle....especially one that was made in Japan.

True, it's made in Japan, but it's driven in the US. I guess I'm just showing a little patriotism there.

 

[raden]

I'd leave it without a cover before I'd put an American flag on it.

Sounds like you don't like America bro, perhaps you would prefer to live in socialist Europe

 

[raden]

lel, most likely, he got it because when you buy the hitch that cover is like a $5 add on (it doesn't come with a cover)

Yup, I just couldn't resist One of these days when I get the wiring, I'll try to find one that lights up when I hit the brakes. Maybe there is a Team America version... I'm sure that would piss off a few liberals.

 

[Even Steven]

Sounds like you don't like America bro, perhaps you would prefer to live in socialist Europe

Born and raised here....of course I love my country. That's why I'd never want to be a hypocrite by putting my flag on a Japanese car. Just sayin'.....of course this is America, so you're free to do whatever floats your boat. LOL

 

[raden]

Born and raised here....of course I love my country. That's why I'd never want to be a hypocrite by putting my flag on a Japanese car.

Touch, pussycat

 

[Even Steven]

True, it's made in Japan, but it's driven in the US. I guess I'm just showing a little patriotism there.

Dude, you drive a Japanese car. Own that fact. Just because it is driven in the U.S. doesn't make it American.

 

[raden]

Dude, you drive a Japanese car. Own that fact. Just because it is driven in the U.S. doesn't make it American.

Calm down there bro, you're gonna get a little too excited and cream in your pants. I'll put my country's flag wherever I please. For the record, I never denied that it's a Japanese car. It says so right on the sticker when you buy it.

 

[Even Steven]

Calm down there bro, you're gonna get a little too excited and cream in your pants. I'll put my country's flag wherever I please. For the record, I never denied that it's a Japanese car. It says so right on the sticker when you buy it.

LOL....don't worry, I'm not excited. Not sure what would make you think that. If anything, I'm amused. Like I said earlier, it's your right to fly the flag on anything you want. And it's my right to think you're foolish for flying the flag on a car that came from Japan.

Gotta love the top answer found here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061016174609AAOErUO

 

[Bladecutter]

I'm sure that would piss off a few liberals.

Hate to tell you this, but "Liberal's" wouldn't care, one way or another.

It always amazes me why some people feel that they just have to make other people unhappy, even with the smallest of things, in order to feel good about themselves.

BC.

 

[raden]

Hate to tell you this, but "Liberal's" wouldn't care, one way or another.

It always amazes me why some people feel that they just have to make other people unhappy, even with the smallest of things, in order to feel good about themselves.

BC.

I have to agree with you on that!

 

[Michael Moore]

I've just ordered a Curt Class 3 and wiring kit. In the photos of the installed hitch they don't look like they are very high off the ground. Are people finding that they need a lot of rise in the ball mount? I'll be getting something like a Kendon "stand-up" motorcycle trailer and they spec a 20" receiver height, which might need a 6-10" rise ball mount if the hitch receiver is around 10-12" height.

cheers,
Michael

 

[Michael Moore]

I found that bending the ends of the Curt fish wires back on themselves (making a U shape) seemed to reduce their propensity to catch on the inside of the frame and then ball up behind that point.

The class 3 hitch installation was more awkward than difficult, but I'm in no hurry to do it over again by myself whilst laying under the car.

cheers,
Michael

 

[Surfsup]

My guess is that the OE hitch is done that way because Mazda deemed it the most aesthetically (sp?) pleasing, while Curt, et al used their own design to simplify installation, lower cost and make the product more appealing to the DIYer crowd. Kinda' doubt you're going to find anything with a lower (higher) profile than the Mazda accessory.

New to this forum. Looking at a CX5 and trying to figure out my options with trailer hitch, roof racks, etc. Info here has been great. Wondering if there is a OEM hitch photo somewhere? I will keep looking on mazdausa.com for it...thanks in advance.

 

[paris1]

New to this forum. Looking at a CX5 and trying to figure out my options with trailer hitch, roof racks, etc. Info here has been great. Wondering if there is a OEM hitch photo somewhere? I will keep looking on mazdausa.com for it...thanks in advance.

Interesting pics of oem hitch in post #1 of this thread http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...tory-Trailer-Hitch-Photos&highlight=oem+hitch. This dealer did the install without notching the bumper valance which is what Mazda recommends. While this is tricky to get right, it has the advantage of at least partially obscuring the receiver up under the bumper. The Curt hitch, which most people here (including myself) use, hangs about half an inch lower and protrudes from the bumper about an inch more than the OE unit, which is not a good thing IMO. But it is much cheaper and very easy to install.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Interesting pics of oem hitch in post #1 of this thread http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...tory-Trailer-Hitch-Photos&highlight=oem+hitch. This dealer did the install without notching the bumper valance which is what Mazda recommends. While this is tricky to get right, it has the advantage of at least partially obscuring the receiver up under the bumper. The Curt hitch, which most people here (including myself) use, hangs about half an inch lower and protrudes from the bumper about an inch more than the OE unit, which is not a good thing IMO. But it is much cheaper and very easy to install.

They guy with the factory (US) hitch and no notch had his hitch pushing up against the bumper (hence the notch). Whether or not it will cause and issues in the long run, who knows (It's possible that cracks could develop right there from movement of whatever he is towing). As far as the curt hitch hanging under the bumper about half an inch; this is how the OEM hitch for the eu model sits (which is also rated for higher towing), and I don't see why that would be a bad thing. If you get the curt class 2 hitch it's sit's slightly lower than the oem (US) hitch, just enough so that it is not putting pressure on the bumper without having to cut it.

 

[paris1]

They guy with the factory (US) hitch and no notch had his hitch pushing up against the bumper (hence the notch). Whether or not it will cause and issues in the long run, who knows (It's possible that cracks could develop right there from movement of whatever he is towing). As far as the curt hitch hanging under the bumper about half an inch; this is how the OEM hitch for the eu model sits (which is also rated for higher towing), and I don't see why that would be a bad thing. If you get the curt class 2 hitch it's sit's slightly lower than the oem (US) hitch, just enough so that it is not putting pressure on the bumper without having to cut it.

The point I was trying to make is that, from an aesthetic standpoint, I wish my Curt Class II was a bit shorter and tucked up under the bumper a little more like the OE hitch.

 

[Surfsup]

Interesting pics of oem hitch in post #1 of this thread http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...tory-Trailer-Hitch-Photos&highlight=oem+hitch. This dealer did the install without notching the bumper valance which is what Mazda recommends.

Thanks, using my phone earlier I didn't notice those links. Neither of the three pics shows the full shot, but it doesn't look bad, but it also doesn't look much different - not worth a $200 difference over the aftermarket hitches you guys have been posting pictures of. Thanks. That helps me a lot. This thread is older, looks like now there are 2" hitches readily available as well. Interestingly enough, I just got home and saw a white CX5 and it looked nice...I'm leaning toward the CX5 at this point.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

The point I was trying to make is that, from an aesthetic standpoint, I wish my Curt Class II was a bit shorter and tucked up under the bumper a little more like the OE hitch.

Ah, yea, I can agree on that point as well. Im my case though I use a hitch cover so you can't really tell how far it sticks out.

 

[deuxdiesel]

I just installed the Curt Class II yesterday. It was really fun lying on my back in the salty slush and freezing cold. I only had ramps for the rear, so clearance was tight. It took about 1 hour working by myself because I decided to remove the muffler completely- it comes off quickly with a 14 mm deep well socket. Once it was off, it was really easy (well, easier...) to maneuver the hitch in place by myself. I went with the Class II only because Auto Anything had them for $109 delivered, and it exceeds the towing/tongue weight of the car, plus my 1UP rack is 1 1/4". I do wish it was a little more stealthy, with maybe a vertical receiver like the Miata hitches, but this will have to do.

 

[vanwyk4257]

Installed a Curt class III hitch on my CX5 yesterday by myself in about an hour. Not to bad doing solo. I used a floor jack under the muffler to help support the exhaust and weight of the hitch. Love the way it fit, very happy with the quality of the hitch.