CX-5 Class III Hitch available
- Thread starter Lando
- Start date
I ordered the Curt Class III (13127) yesterday from etrailer.com. I paid $152.20 total shipped. I'm really excited about installing it. I have all the tools to do the install according to the manual.
I have a quick question, should I use some blue Loctite on the bolts for extra security to prevent them from coming undone? I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.
Additionally, in the install manual it says the following: "WARNING: ALL NON-TRAILER LOADS APPLIED TO THIS PRODUCT MUST BE SUPPORTED BY 18050 STABILIZING STRAPS. ** FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUPPORT NON-TRAILER LOADS WILL VOID PRODUCT WARRANTY**"
I plan on using the hitch for a bike rack. Do I really need those straps?
I have a quick question, should I use some blue Loctite on the bolts for extra security to prevent them from coming undone? I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.
Additionally, in the install manual it says the following: "WARNING: ALL NON-TRAILER LOADS APPLIED TO THIS PRODUCT MUST BE SUPPORTED BY 18050 STABILIZING STRAPS. ** FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUPPORT NON-TRAILER LOADS WILL VOID PRODUCT WARRANTY**"
I plan on using the hitch for a bike rack. Do I really need those straps?
- :
- 2023 CX-5 Premium; 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatch
Raden: I don't suppose it would do any harm to use Loctite, but I don't think it's necessary. Keep in mind you may want/need to make some slight adjustments to the hitch after you install it. Loctite will make that a little more difficult.
As for the stabilizing straps, I think that's just Curt trying to cover their ass legally. I don't use tham on my type II with a two bike Allen rack and have had no troubles. Besides, you would tear up the hatch spoiler if you did try to use them. Just use common sense and don't overload the rack.
One more thing I just recently discovered (and the reason I had to loosen my hitch and adjust). I found that after installing the hitch and the rack, it became apparent that the rack did not sit square with the back of the car and, when loaded, the bikes accentuated this missalignment. To correct this, I loosened the hitch and pulled it to one side to straighten out the whole assembly so that it squared with the back of the car and didn't look so odd. There is a small amount of "slop" in the mounting holes of the hitch that makes this adjustment possilbe. I suggest anyone installing this hitch keep this in mind as it's difficult to tell if the receiver is perfectly perpendicular to the bumber withought having your rack installed.
As for the stabilizing straps, I think that's just Curt trying to cover their ass legally. I don't use tham on my type II with a two bike Allen rack and have had no troubles. Besides, you would tear up the hatch spoiler if you did try to use them. Just use common sense and don't overload the rack.
One more thing I just recently discovered (and the reason I had to loosen my hitch and adjust). I found that after installing the hitch and the rack, it became apparent that the rack did not sit square with the back of the car and, when loaded, the bikes accentuated this missalignment. To correct this, I loosened the hitch and pulled it to one side to straighten out the whole assembly so that it squared with the back of the car and didn't look so odd. There is a small amount of "slop" in the mounting holes of the hitch that makes this adjustment possilbe. I suggest anyone installing this hitch keep this in mind as it's difficult to tell if the receiver is perfectly perpendicular to the bumber withought having your rack installed.
Thank you Paris1, that is a good suggestion. I have major OCD when it comes to details like that. Do you have any suggestions on how to level and square the mount to the car with something other than eyes? One of my friends will be helping me, so that's a second pair of eyes to make sure its level.
- :
- 2023 CX-5 Premium; 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatch
Not really, other than what I suggested. There's no place to put any kind of T-square on the rear of the car to measure for a right angle on the receiver, so you pretty much have to go by how it looks.
I don't know if this would help, but maybe place a long 2x4 flat against the hitch face and square it with the car.
That sounds crazy enough that it might just work... Thanks!
I spoke to customer server at eTrailer a few minutes ago. The rep says that this can happen in transit. However, the rep tells me that the hitch arms are made to flex and it can be bent back into shape. I was planning on having a local shop install it. I guess we'll find out when I see them.
Woodys2718
Member
- :
- 2016 CX 5 GT AWD, Tech & IActivesense
Tell them to send you a new one and a shipping label to return this one.
Don't let someone start hammering on it. They may get it back into shape, but they'll destroy the paint and then it'll turn to rust.
Just me 2 cents.
Don't let someone start hammering on it. They may get it back into shape, but they'll destroy the paint and then it'll turn to rust.
Just me 2 cents.
Bladecutter
Member
- :
- 2014 Mazda CX-5 Touring
Send an email to Curt, and show them those pictures, and ask them if this is how the receiver should look line upon delivery.
They will tell you no, and work with you to get a new one to you.
BC.
Update:
On Bladecutter's suggestion, I called Curt. They told me that sometimes the hitches can be bent during transport. According to them, this is because the delivery guys kick them off the trucks, dropping them off in the process. They said that it is cold-rolled steel and that it has flex and a tolerance of a bout an inch or two. They said to try installing it and if any problems arise, they will replace it.
I went to my local shop and had it installed. It took about 20 minutes, and everything is just fine. I inspected it and there were no paint chips or any issues. I watched them bend it back with a bench vise. They were very careful. Total cost of install was $100 (NJ is pricey). If I had the tools and the space, (I live in a coop building) I would do this myself.
Here's a pic:
'Murica
On Bladecutter's suggestion, I called Curt. They told me that sometimes the hitches can be bent during transport. According to them, this is because the delivery guys kick them off the trucks, dropping them off in the process. They said that it is cold-rolled steel and that it has flex and a tolerance of a bout an inch or two. They said to try installing it and if any problems arise, they will replace it.
I went to my local shop and had it installed. It took about 20 minutes, and everything is just fine. I inspected it and there were no paint chips or any issues. I watched them bend it back with a bench vise. They were very careful. Total cost of install was $100 (NJ is pricey). If I had the tools and the space, (I live in a coop building) I would do this myself.
Here's a pic:
'Murica
Last edited:
Woodys2718
Member
- :
- 2016 CX 5 GT AWD, Tech & IActivesense
(rockon)
I'm glad to hear everything worked out for you.
I'm glad to hear everything worked out for you.
Chris_Top_Her
Contributor
- :
- San Antonio, Texas
- :
- '15 CX-5 Miata AWD
'maniac
Even Steven
Member
'Murica
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.
Chris_Top_Her
Contributor
- :
- San Antonio, Texas
- :
- '15 CX-5 Miata AWD
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)
Even Steven
Member
I'd leave it without a cover before I'd put an American flag on it.
