Tow Hitch Recommendations for CX-9?

[blackntan]

I'm looking to start my research on tow hitch setups for our 2011 CX-9, FWD, non-tow package. I don't have a specific budget, but I'd like to keep the cost down, as it is something that will rarely be used. I've seen a few all-inclusive packages on ebay, with the wiring and everything, for pretty reasonable prices, just curious if there are any brands or types to steer clear of?

I don't tow or haul at all (which is why I am selling my other truck, it was just overkill having a truck that can tow a space shuttle). But I would like to install a hitch on the CX-9 in case I ever need to haul something around. I plan on purchasing a 5x8 utility trailer, or one of those fold up trailers from Harbor Freight. Primary duties of the trailer would be if I need to haul my motorcycle anywhere, or else big Lowe's/Home Depot trips, etc. I doubt I'd ever have a need to use the full 2,000lb towing capacity.

I should add, every truck I've ever owned has had a factory tow package, so I've never had to shop for, purchase, and install a tow hitch before, kind of a new area for me.

Oh, and the CX-9 is officially mine now (drive2) When we purchased it 2 and a half years ago, it was for my wife. Well, I recently bought a used Toyota Camry SE V6 for me to drive, with plans to sell my monster truck. She recently took my Camry on a 1k mile road trip (29mpg) and fell in love with it, told me she is stealing it, and that I can have her CX-9, lol. So, it is now mine. (rofl2)

 

[drchuck]

I have a '10 Sport (2WD) I added a class 2 hitch, and have pulled a 5X8 trailer all over the place with no problem. Like you I have no towing kit from the factory. I'm sure you know when pulling a trailer in hilly country, keep it out of 6th gear. Use the manual side, put it in 5th and go on. When I bought the CX I owned a Suzuki Cavalcade (a little larger than a Gold Wing) and it would not fit in my 8' trailer with the drive on ramp in the up position. My hitch was a simple bolt on, and you can see much of that in the thread below entitled Cargo Carrier." There are a number of photos as to how I got it all installed. One thing I would not do again is run a non-Mazda wiring harness, however, at the time I was doing that the factory harness was not available as an accessory.

 

[jrgmanict]

There are a couple different options.
Medcenter has the Hitch (1 inch receiver) and wiring kit for the Mazda's without the factory Tow option installed.
http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda-cx9-trailer-hitch-2000lb.html
They also carry the Wire harness by itself, but you may have to call them to see if it is the same part for the 2000 lb range. It think the difference is that the tow package gives you a wire harness ready car and without you may have to run a wire up to the battery.
http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda-cx9-trailer-harness.html
Dr Chuck can answer that question too I'm sure.
Curt Makes a bolt on hitch for our vehicle, which is what the dealer installed on my CX9 in lieu of the standard hitch that Mazda offered.
I also pull my Motorcycle(s) across this country due to my work taking me to different places.
I have a Kendon Trailer and would recommend that trailer to anyone looking at trailering a bike anywhere.
The Kendon Trailer folds up when not in use and can be lifted up on three castors on the back end of the trailer so it can be moved around easier when not needed.
Takes up about 24 inches of wall space in the garage when lifted up.
It weighs about 400 Lbs empty.
A two bike unit can carry two full size baggers if needed, I have had my 1800 and 800 on it for a trip to Kansas.
I used it in my moves to Washington state, to Kansas and recently to North Carolina. The trailer worked great hauling the bike and other items.
You can also use it as a standard utility trailer if needed, the guy I bought it from said in lieu of taking off the rails for the bike you just need a wood pallet (or two) and set them over the rails to give you a flat surface.
They are made in California and well worth the money if you plan on taking a bike to many different places then it will pay for it's self in the long run.
I bought a adjustable Hitch from either O'Rylie's or Autozone that brings the ball up around bumper level and levels out the front of the trailer while it is being pulled.
Makes it easier to load the trailer with a more level platform to work with.
Here are a couple pictures of my CX9 with the trailer and Hitch setup.

 

[rowlands57]

I have that same Curt hitch and it has served me well. I have the GT so I had the pre-wired option to work with. It was very simple to get it all installed and I am very happy with the results. I just use it for a utility trailer when getting stuff I would prefer not to throw in the vehicle, Home Depot runs and etc...

 

[chuyler1]

I just put the Class III Curt hitch on my 2013 CX9. I don't think you need the class III (I don't either but I wanted the 2" receiver) but I recommend Curt in general. It was tricky getting it into place but I was able to do it myself (with a little cursing) in my garage. I installed the Mazda wiring harness too. Not sure the connector for the harness is available in FWD vehicles so you may have to wire up a harness yourself.

 

[ceric]

I got the Hidden Hitch.
Don't recommend it. The gaps are way too big, making it hard to install.

 

[blackntan]

Thanks for the replies guys. I ended up selling the CX-9
When I skip my Ritalin schedule, s*** changes quickly, lol.

 

[chuyler1]

And people wonder why Americans have so much debt.

 

[blackntan]

And people wonder why Americans have so much debt.

That was quite presumptuous?

Actually, this move rid us of vehicle debt completely. Sold the car for payoff plus $1k out of my pocket, and purchased a car with cash, for close to half of what our payoff on the CX-9 was. Our only remaining debt is a money making investment property, and a small student loan...which is my next target

 

[jrgmanict]

Sorry you sold the CX-9 but you gotta do what you gotta do and there will always be a Mazda with you name on it when the time comes.
Took me a number of years before I came back to a Mazda but I did and I love it.
Very important to reduce your debt as much as possible, we have been doing the same thing and hopefully will get things down were they belong.
Trying to figure out where that statement came from as it really had nothing to do with the subject.

 

[chuyler1]

I'm sorry, it was out of the blue. I just had someone I know buy a car...then realize afterward they couldn't afford it...so they sold it at quite a loss to buy something cheaper. They got out of their payments but they lost all of their deposit. I had it in my head that you just purchased the CX9 on the date you posted this question...but it appears you've had it for some time.

 

[blackntan]

Thanks, no problem. Yes, we lost our down payment of $2k that we paid 2.5 years ago, and another $1k out of pocket when we sold it. That's part of the game I reckon

Dave Ramsey and Mr. Money Mustache have gotten into my head, and we are on a path to semi-frugal living. It was a tough decision. I knew the CX-9 would last us many, many years, because I take great care of our vehicles, and we put low miles on them. I had the cash to pay it off. However, the math (cost per mile) supported buying a cheaper car, that gets 50% better mpg, and that I could purchase for less than the CX-9 payoff, so I pulled the trigger. There is an immediate savings there, as well as a long term fuel cost savings. The other part of the equation is that it frees up more of our income (no debt obligation) and gets our DTI ratio to above fantastic, so when we are ready to buy another house this year, there won't be any issues at all.

This decision was more about the big picture, something I've been overlooking for far too long. Otherwise, I would have kept the car until it fell apart, because it was a damn nice car, probably the nicest we've owned. According to the banks, I could "afford" 2 or 3 CX-9's, but screw the banks.....I wanna pay myself

Glad I'm finally figuring this crap out in my 30's, instead of being in my 60's and being like "WTF did we do with our incomes all those years? We have NOTHING."

 

[chuyler1]

I hear ya. It's kind of sad what the banks will let us borrow (We're in our 30s too). I put a hefty down payment on my CX-9 and I bought CPO instead of new. I am enjoying it but it certainly isn't as sporty as my two previous cars. I needed something with towing capacity and I only drive into work twice a week...so the sports car had to go. My wife did something similar to you a few years ago. She was driving a Dodge Nitro R/T because she liked it...until her commute changed. She quickly traded it in for a Ford Focus. Lower payment and double the mileage. It's small...but now we have the CX9 if she needs something bigger.