Reese Class III Hitch Install

[eskimo0101]

Starting to think spring here in WNY and that means soon I'll be pulling the boat out of storage. One problem, no hitch on the new to the family CX-9.

It's a Touring AWD with the radiator code for 3500lb towing so I picked up the factory Mazda wiring harness and liked the look of the Hidden Hitch the best. Reese and Hidden Hitch are owned by the same company, look identical, but you can get the Reese online from Walmart for $117 and free shipping.

Took a quick look under the car and decided to drop the spare tire to give myself more room. Then backed it up on the ramps I've had since I was 16 and got to work.

Before I tried to hang the hitch I ran a bolt into each of the factory frame nuts to make sure I wasn't dealing with any thread corrosion issues. No problems found, but if they were now is the time to run a tap through to chase out the threads, not when you've got half the bolts holding the hitch in the way.

The passengers side bolts are a little tougher because the spare tire winch prevents using a ratchet. I just ran these in with a large 19mm box end wrench. I've seen a lot of complaints about there being a gap because the hitch was "too narrow". There was a little play when the bolts were loose but once they were tightened down the way you're supposed to tighten hitch bolts the gap was totally gone.

Here's the end result after about a 30 minute install, including the time to dig out my ramps. Really happy with the way the most of the hitch is hidden. I'm still debating on the receiver chrome piece but it just snaps on so if I start to hate it I'll pop it off. Right now I think it goes well with the exhaust tips.

 

[voldsom]

Solid install. I love how easy they made it for the CX-9. Six dedicated bolt holes and you're done. Still need to do this though for my '14... That price is pretty killer for the Resse/HiddenHitch, I'll probably go that route! Did you get your harness on eBay?

 

[eskimo0101]

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

 

[Blujett2.0]

Nice install! Do you have the model number for the Reese? I tried looking but couldn't find it. :S

 

[eskimo0101]

Its a 44572

Amazon has it too for $117 and prime eligible.

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

 

[Blujett2.0]

Awesome! Thanks!

 

[Blujett2.0]

I picked up one of these hitches locally on the weekend and tried to install but the heat shields are interfering. How did you get it up in there without bending the crap out of them? Just force it in? Thanks!

 

[eskimo0101]

Get the car up high enough that you can stand the hitch on it's end (reciever opening pointing straight down) and rotate it up into place. Shouldn't have to bend the muffler heat shields much at all.

 

[tulsamal]

So how does this compare to what the dealer would install?

 

[voldsom]

So how does this compare to what the dealer would install?

The dealer would most likely install the Mazda OEM model... It would cost more, and only be a Class II hitch (less capacity, smaller receiver).

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-hitchclasses.aspx

 

[tulsamal]

I was going to start my own thread to ask this but you have opened the door, hope you don't mind.

My wife takes the CX-9 to dog shows. So my intention when I bought the 2011 was to install the towing option and get the roof rack. Once I saw prices, I never did do either. Now she has a big show where she really needs extra space. So one or the other. We could get the roof rack and a bag but I cringe when I think about it moving around up there and slowly destroying the paint. Or we can get the towing package installed and then get some type of hitch mounted cargo carrier.

So with that data, which option do you think give me the most "bang for the buck?" Looks like a cargo carrier is going to be anywhere from $60 to $130.

Thanks for the help. At this point she is telling me to just go ahead and order the hitch and harness. I'm just trying to get a bit more information first. And I've done some automotive stuff over the decades but I've never worked on the Mazda whatsoever. Hopefully it won't be too much of an adventure.

Gregg

 

[voldsom]

I was going to start my own thread to ask this but you have opened the door, hope you don't mind.

My wife takes the CX-9 to dog shows. So my intention when I bought the 2011 was to install the towing option and get the roof rack. Once I saw prices, I never did do either. Now she has a big show where she really needs extra space. So one or the other. We could get the roof rack and a bag but I cringe when I think about it moving around up there and slowly destroying the paint. Or we can get the towing package installed and then get some type of hitch mounted cargo carrier.

So with that data, which option do you think give me the most "bang for the buck?" Looks like a cargo carrier is going to be anywhere from $60 to $130.

Thanks for the help. At this point she is telling me to just go ahead and order the hitch and harness. I'm just trying to get a bit more information first. And I've done some automotive stuff over the decades but I've never worked on the Mazda whatsoever. Hopefully it won't be too much of an adventure.

Gregg

I'd go the hitch and harness route. The hitch and harness + your cargo carrier option that you mentioned puts you around $300-$350, and now you have the ability to tow in the future if you need to. If your CX-9 doesn't already have the roof rails, your looking at near $400 (for rails and cross bars), plus the bag to put the stuff in and risk damaging the roof. In addition, it's pretty high up there.

ANECDOTE: I have a low-profile bike rack on the factory cross bars up there and I keep a 1' fold-able step stool in the car to make it easier getting up there (I'm 5'-11"). Eventually I'll be going with a hitch mounted option, but cost for the one I want deterred that for a little while.

SIDE NOTE: this probably could have been it's own thread as really you jumped right into a full question between roof vs. hitch, where as you're initial question was a comparison to the class II receiver the dealer would install. Not trying to nit-pick, but you mentioned it

 

[tulsamal]

Thank you sir. The wife has talked about getting a cargo carrier before. She is only 5'4" so I think dealing with stuff in a roof rack would be problematic. She's an athletic and strong woman though so I think she can deal with pulling off the carrier and moving it, etc. I guess I will go ahead and order the one in this thread. I just hope the install doesn't make me crazy! I like my Mazda a lot and I don't want to damage something.

 

[voldsom]

Thank you sir. The wife has talked about getting a cargo carrier before. She is only 5'4" so I think dealing with stuff in a roof rack would be problematic. She's an athletic and strong woman though so I think she can deal with pulling off the carrier and moving it, etc. I guess I will go ahead and order the one in this thread. I just hope the install doesn't make me crazy! I like my Mazda a lot and I don't want to damage something.

Indeed. I am pretty fit as well, but the angle to get the bike up there is still just simpler adding a foot to my height, lol.

I don't foresee you having any problems with the install. @eskimo0101 's pictures are good and the install really is that simple. The holes are there (3 on each side) already and it just bolts right up. You didn't mention which CX-9 you have, but if it's an AWD it is already set up for the Mazda OEM module for power back there (there is even a pre-drilled hole in back to exit the wires to the hitch). And if you're just doing a cargo tray for now, you don't even need that yet.
I definitely WILL be installing a hitch myself, just don't have the need to blow the $200 right now (hitch + wiring).

 

[tulsamal]

Mine is a 2011 two wheel drive. The Touring model. When I bought it I told them I wanted to add the towing package and they said that would work. So I _assume_ that means it is appropriate for my model.

Ahh, I see what you mean. If you are just going to put the tray on, then the lights on the car still work. The harness is for when you have a trailer and/or boat. Seems like I should go ahead and do it for future needs...

 

[voldsom]

Mine is a 2011 two wheel drive. The Touring model. When I bought it I told them I wanted to add the towing package and they said that would work. So I _assume_ that means it is appropriate for my model.

Ahh, I see what you mean. If you are just going to put the tray on, then the lights on the car still work. The harness is for when you have a trailer and/or boat. Seems like I should go ahead and do it for future needs...

I remember reading an issue a user had with harness plug not lining up with a 2WD model. It turns out there are different harnesses for the 2WD vs. AWD. Look here, post 1 has pictures, post 4 is what I found on Mazda's website:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...ting-a-OEM-wiring-harness-on-a-2013-model-CX9

Just make sure you get the right harness for your VIN/Radiator Code (ask your dealer if you don't know, they should have a record of what they did to it when the sold it to you).

And this thread will show you pictures of the install a forum member did on a 2010:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...tall-with-Mazda-OEM-wiring-harness-(pictures)

 

[eskimo0101]

Since you're just using the hitch to hold a cargo carrier I wouldn't even bother with the harness. That's only needed for plugging in trailer lights.

Definitely get the aftermarket hitch not the OEM Mazda one because you'll want the 2" receiver opening since that's what almost all cargo carriers are going to plug into. The OEM Class II is almost certainly a smaller receiver.

 

[tulsamal]

Crap. Procrastination rules the day. I kept putting off ordering this from Amazon. Every day I looked at it but then other things happened. I even noticed yesterday it said "Only two left..." but I still didn't order it. I just now clicked on it and it says "Usually ships in One to Two months." That isn't going to do it. The dog show is ten days away. So where else should I order it from?

Thanks!

 

[tulsamal]

I'm looking it up on walmart.com right now... but I hate paying our stupid 9.5% sales tax!!

 

[voldsom]

I'm looking it up on walmart.com right now... but I hate paying our stupid 9.5% sales tax!!

Well, I think the Reese hitch from walmart, even at 9.5% tax will be cheaper than what I've found online (If the hitch is $117, that puts you around $130). Keep in mind, Reese, Hidden Hitch, and Draw-Tite are all essentially the same brand.

Amazon doesn't really have the Hidden Hitch, but the Draw-Tite is there: search for this "drawtite 75531"

Cross reference (unofficial, just got it from their websites):
Reese 44572
Hidden Hitch 87438
Draw-Tite 75531

There is also a brand called Curt (different from above brands) that seems to run a little cheaper:
Curt 13575 --> http://amzn.com/B001EP0GSG
http://www.curtmfg.com/HitchLookup/...ke=Mazda&model=CX-9&style=All#tab=class3hitch

There is even a video review of the Curt on amazon where the guy takes you through and shows the exact mounting points to show how easy it is. But DO NOT jack it up the way the guy in the video says (by the center cross member?!?!?)... Either use jack stands or ramps, never work under a jack supporting a load, especially from a single point in the center of the vehicle!!!!