Installed Trailer Hitch Pictures

[randy00]

Here are some pictures of our installed Hidden Hitch 2" for our cx-9

undercoating made it a little difficult to thread the bolts through the pre welded holes and nutes. but overall it was not really a problem.

install time: 30-40 minutes.


http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/db0mbase/DSC_3763.jpg

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/db0mbase/1.jpg

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/db0mbase/2-1.jpg

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/db0mbase/3.jpg

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/db0mbase/4.jpg

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/db0mbase/5.jpg

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/db0mbase/6.jpg

 

[ceric]

I hope you torqued the bolts properly ...
'cause I saw a regular wrench in one of the photos...

Great pictures. Thanks.
I also had the Hidden Hitch, which is not so hidden.

 

[randy00]

yepp 75lb

 

[Richardd]

Randy: I noticed that your car, has undercoating. Is that right and Why did you get that?(shady)

 

[randy00]

Randy: I noticed that your car, has undercoating. Is that right and Why did you get that?(shady)

i live in Toronto and roads are salty during winter so i got the electronic rust protection and it was packaged with the undercoating. i think it helps prevent rust, dampens road noise or protects the metal from debris.. all i know is that the electronic rust protection works. after 1 year of weather in canada, the rotors, wheels, and underneath, are rust free.. from my previous owned cars they usually started rusting even after it rained during cold weather (hand)

 

[dbcafy]

side view of your trailer hitch

Hi Randy00,

Is there anyway to take a sideview picture of your trailer hitch. How much does it stick out beyond the rear bumper.

Thanks!

 

[ceric]

dbcafy,
See my signature photo.
I have Hidden Hitch also.

 

[randy00]

Hi Randy00,

Is there anyway to take a sideview picture of your trailer hitch. How much does it stick out beyond the rear bumper.

Thanks!

sure np, here are the pics. they dont stick out past the bumper.. i like the way to fits. its not to "out" but still out enough to be seen and have a clean look.

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/db0mbase/photo1.jpg

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/db0mbase/photo.jpg

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/db0mbase/photo3.jpg

 

[randy00]

i had to kneel to take the pictures.. but when standing you dont see the hitch at all unless your behind the car.

 

[ceric]

I guess the hitch makers don't know that CX9 already has a cut-out area in the bumper planned and marked - ready to be trimmed off.

Imagine that some hitch requires customers to cut a square hole in the bumper. That probably won't sell too well w/o knowing that....

 

[randy00]

Be nice if someone offered a 2" that fits like the factory receiver. Cutting the notch was super easy and it looks very clean.

huh? what notch? be nice? what?

 

[danz75]

huh? what notch? be nice? what?

The factory hitch sits a little higher than the aftermarket hitch therefore requiring a small notch to be cut out from the bottom area of the bumper. Makes it look like it's more "integrated" with the car.

 

[randy00]

ahh ic ic

 

[Richardd]

I just installed my Draw Tite Class III hitch the other day and It fit like a glove. No cutting on bumper. I glad I didn't get the Mazda factory one.

 

[joffficer]

Is the mazda hitch a 1 1/4" receiver? I haven't found an after market one that size. I have a boat(s) I'd like to tow. Max weight is about 2500lbs. Would the smaller hitch work ok?

Any big difference wiring in the lights with the Advanced key... modifications?

 

[Richardd]

Question: Does the Touring CX 9 2009, come with the harness for the hitch and if so, where is located?(sadbanana)

 

[vikefan7]

Is the mazda hitch a 1 1/4" receiver? I haven't found an after market one that size. I have a boat(s) I'd like to tow. Max weight is about 2500lbs. Would the smaller hitch work ok?

Any big difference wiring in the lights with the Advanced key... modifications?

Yes the Mazda hitch is a 1 1/4 and if it's factory installed you should have a 3500 lb towing capacity. The only thing I would worry about is what the tongue weight is.

There have been a few people who have wired in the towing themselves so you can probably get an idea what's involved by searching the forum.

 

[joffficer]

I decided to go with the Valley hitch (2") as all my draw bars/accesories will fit. It doesn't look like the 'T' connectors are a big deal to install. Maybe a pain running the power line to the battery, though.

 

[tomiller97]

Hidden Hitch

I just bought my hidden hitch from etrailers this week and it arrived last night. Like a kid all excited with a new toy I had to go out and see how it 'fits' under my 2008 CX-9. When I put the hitch up underneath it seemed like there was about 1" or a lil more of extra space between the frame rails and the mounting plates of the hitch? Did you guys notice this when you installed yours or was a tight fit between the frame? I'm not sure but I'm assuming the frame might bend a lil when I torque the nuts in?

I figured I'd ask you guys who have done it already to see if this was the same case? It looks like the right hitch, correct spacing for the bolt holes...fits up under the bumper correctly..

I'll post up a few pics tonight when I try to put it in.

Wiring harness doesn't look to bad either...I think I remember another post on here where someone showed how to cut a hole and run the harness under the CX-9 as opposed to having to run it through the tailgate every time...

 

[ceric]

tomiller97,
Mine was like that also. Try to tighten the bolts progressively on both sides (like you do with the bolts on the wheels). If you don't, the bolts on the other side will be too short once you have tightened one side. The gaps will narrow progressively as you torque them alternatively (side to side).