Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

Pretty easy installation, only because etrailer provided the installation video. Instructions did not explain how to fish the hitches' bolts through the holes.

also, was able to install by myself, using a pair of jackstands to support the hitch.1776592

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by: Melissa 04/18/2024

The fit is perfect and installation was a breeze especially with the provided gadgets to get the bolts through. A year later I already have rust inside the receiver which is depressing, it would be nice if these automatically came with a protective cover or additional coating to guard against rust. I used my hitch for a bike hauler maybe a dozen times in the last year. The bike hauler probably rubs the paint right off inside the receiver.1768935

by: Tim 03/07/2024

Solid hitch. Installed easily and the included pull wires for the bolts made it a breeze to install. Highly recommend using a jack with a wood block or some kind of pad to support the muffler when dropping it for the install. One surprise was that the receiver tucks so far back behind the bumper that I had to purchase a 7" receiver extension, wiring harness extender, and safety cable extensions to accommodate connection to both my utility trailer and boat trailer, but I don't really consider it a problem, just something it would have been good to know in advance.1743440

by: Dan 04/10/2023

I’ve bought several hitches from them over the years. Every one has been priced competitively, and has fit with no issues. I would recommend etrailer to everyone.1553530

Dan

4/10/2024

Perfect...not one issue. Very pleased!

Jesse M.

5/9/2024

@Dan Thanks for sharing!

Hitch was delivered in a timely manner and all the hardware was intact. However, the box didn’t do so well causing the hitch to pop through with some scraping on the hitch. Not bent…only cosmetic. I think UPS delivered it.1552621

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Jenny N.

4/10/2023

Oh, that is unfortunate. I will have our Customer Service team contact you. What I recommend is to use a rust resistant paint like Rustoleum to touch up the hitch before it is installed.

I have a 2023 Mazda, CX9. As mentioned by other reviewers, the hitch installed fairly easily (watch the videos!). A nice bonus is that it balanced well on a floor jack so I was able to slide it in by myself without any help. The included wires that are used to pull the bolts through the frame work brilliantly. I would’ve given it six stars but it didn’t come with a device that self installed the hitch while I watched and drink a beer!!
FYI- the distance from the face of the receiver to the furthest, protrusion on the bumper is 4”.1496341

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by: Robert12/19/2023

After a year of use my hitch has been flawless after 12k miles. Primarily use it for my bike carrier for my weekend adventures. After a year it still looks good with no visual signs of damage or rust. I would not hesitate in purchasing another one if the need arose.1703890

Gotnit pretty quickly whoever delivered it trashed the box holes and tears all in it and they left it sitting in the rain the bar looks undamaged though I didn't take it out yet1770887

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by: BiG_BeAR09/19/2023

This trailer hitch receiver is built tough and fit perfectly on our 2017 Mazda CX-9. The installation was easy enough if you follow the video walkthrough (though it was cold outside when we were doing the install so we had a friendly mechanic help us by putting the SUV on a lift for us, and letting us work in the garage). The recieve is built tough like I mentioned, and is well anchored to the SUV chassis. We towed a 6'x12' trailer that weighed around 6,000 lbs (packed), from PA to FL, with zero issues from the receiver hitch (though we overheated the transmission twice along the way, both times at the end of a long day of driving over 8 hours, at over 75 mph. With technically a slightly heavier trailer than what the SUV is rated for). All accessories like locks, silencers, and towing light hook-ups install easily (you just need an adapter plate for the lights hook up). Chain hooks are large, easy to get to, and fit multiple chains on each hook without any issues. My one gripe about this product is the way it ships, which creates an issue if you care about rust or corrosion for long term ownership/installation. The problem is its a heavy metal thing, that just gets tossed into a large regular-weight cardboard box. By the time it gets to your house, being tossed around by the wonderful delivery drivers, the various ends and sides of the reciver hitch are beat to hell, and poking out of every side of the box. I had to lightly sand the beat up edges/sides, then re-paint/coat all the damage, first with a grey primer followed by matching enamel glossy black paint. It looked like new when I was done, and it created a nice protective coating so the receiver won't start to rust the day I install it. So I'm taking one star off for having to go through that. Otherwisd it a well built and strong trailer hitch receiver, with one of the better weight ratings for it's class.1670274

by: Steve 02/23/2024

Excellent. Easy installation. Foot operated door opener still works on my 2023 signature. No mods needed on the car. Super product. Dealer wanted to cut into the bumper.1737655

SO the install took about 1.5 hours, and the spring wires for the back bolts are a pain to get in, I needed a hammer and screw driver to get the bolt to come through but I got it. The hitch is heavy and I did this on my driveway, don't be lazy, you do need the room, so drop the exhaust out of the way and get a friend to help you get that first bolt in. After that its a snap. to remove the exhaust, get a soppy sponge.1660415

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The fit to the vehicle and the instructions was very well done. It made the installation process really easy. My only gripe was one of the bolts that came in package (damaged threads near the starting tip), the other 3 was perfect. Keep in mind you need a deep socket 7/8" in size to complete the install and an extra pair of hands to help during the initial lift to thread the first two nuts.1509702

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Easy to install if you’re inclined and price is very reasonable!
Videos are very helpful1489126

Jonathan

12/24/2023

This was such an easy install! Couldn’t buy the one from the Mazda dealer because Etrailer beat them by miles in price. And the cost of installing it myself even beats Uhaul! Thanks Etrailer

Received within a couple days of ordering. Relatively easy to install if you have average mechanical skills, the right tools and watch the detailed video. Used a pair of ramps and a dedicated exhaust hangar removal tool ($12) to make it a one hour evolution. Definitely need a second set of hands as you lift the hitch into position to attach to the bolts and torque. Hitch had a couple of minor scratches after a small portion of it broke through the cardboard box during shipping (it's heavy). Recommend etrailer add a cardboard liner in the box to prevent this from happening. Looks good and fits nicely under the rear bumper without noticeably sticking out. Saved approximately $200 with this DIY project.1669947

by: CA04/30/2024

Mazda

I ordered this unit to install on a 2024 Mazda CX-9, to tow a small teardrop trailer, and it has worked very well. Installation was easy and took less than 2hours, taking your time. I really like that there are videos on etrailer’s web site to aid in the installation process. I did buy a class3 hitch with a 2inch receiver and a separate bracket for the four pole flat connector for this install. One year later, it’s still doing great.1776786

It arrived within two days, the directions were very clear, and the parts were color-coded and easy to install. My father-in-law took about 45 minutes to put it all in place. I can't wait to attach our trailer to it. It'll make hauling our stuff for vacation this year MUCH easier. Great job all around!1337607

Nico

8/1/2023

We used this on our vacation last year, and will be using it again this year. The install took only 30 minutes, and it was a GAME CHANGER for hauling our vacation stuff. Great work, team!

by: Marty 01/04/2024

Works great, using it mainly for a bike rack.
Easy to install, would definately buy again.1707636

Overall the installation video made it very easy to install with a helper. The quality of the trailer hitch is very good. There was some paint that had chipped off the edge exposing bare metal which needed to be protected but otherwise I am very satisfied with the product.817470

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Paul

6/19/2021

Great. No problems attaching bike rack. Works as intended. No significant rusting.

by: Richard 03/22/2023

Mazda

nice looking product. Easy to install on my 2022 Mazda CX91540888

Richard

3/23/2024

Easy self install. Needed a second set of hands to put the bolts in, otherwise was a breeze. Have only used for my bike rack and not for towing so cannot comment on hitch strength but its been great for me.

The install was good. The hitch functions well. My only issues are the paint in a couple small areas had peeled off right out of the box and the receiver was not welded on square so when looking at the receiver you can see it's crooked. Just doesn't look great. Otherwise it functions as needed.1427524

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by: JB04/12/2019

2016 Mazda CX-9

Well designed and quality product. With the aid of the video, I was able to install the receiver and wiring with very little issues in a timely manner.
I wanted a two inch receiver and concealed trailer wiring which was not available from the dealer.
I would recommend this product without hesitation.627842

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Jb

4/13/2020

Great product, As a light duty user, I have not experienced any problems.

Installation was as advertised I did it by myself. I probably could have used another hand, but I managed to get it done.1558049

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Installation will certainly go faster with a second person helping. Doing it myself it took me close to an hour to complete. I didn't bother putting the car up on jacks and found there to be sufficient room to maneuver.

The install video on the site is super helpful and all that's really needed. It does help clear up the paper instructions that come with the hitch.

I used a strap to support the exhaust pipe and like someone else mentioned also utilized an overturned 2 gallon bucket to support the muffler while getting it off the hangers. There was enough clearance for the bucket to slide right underneath, but I was parked a very mild grade.

I was able to get it off the mounts with just WD-40 . Since I didn't jack up the car, I was able to leverage my body weight and the fact that car was sitting on all four wheels to pull the rubber mounts off without a pry bar. I sat with my legs under the car and grabbing each side of the rubber mount was able to work them off.

I found the rear mounts were far easier to get off than the front.

Once I got the mounts off, I removed the supporting bucket and loosened the straps to lower the exhaust further.

I then used the bucket to support the weight of the hitch as I got it in position. Leaving the guide wires in place for the bolts helped me align the hitch since I was working alone.

The paper instructions mention using the washer to pinch the bolt in place to make it easier to get the nut on without the bolt being pushed up into the hole. This was particularly key to doing the install alone and one handed.

Once you get one bolt attached the rest goes faster and is a lot easier.

A deep socket and extension bar was critical in getting the bolts on to the proper torque. Without the deep socket I was able to get the hitch bolted on tight enough to drive to the hardware store to get the deeper socket to then torque to 110 ft/lbs as per the instructions.

Once I got the hitch attached, I simply reversed the process by again using the assistance of the bucket to support the exhaust as I got it back on the hangers.

A bucket or some other easy to maneuver item to help support the exhaust and hitch were definitely key in attempting to do this yourself.

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This was a super easy installation. There was a video of the installation provided which I watched beforehand. Couldn’t ask for a better product, price or support! etrailer is my go to trailer store!517579

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Pete

6/5/2019

One year later and the hitch looks just as good as the day I installed it. Highly recommended!!

I was very pleased with the quick turnaround on my order. The product itself appears to be well made and was reasonable to install, although considering the size and weight of the hitch, it would have gone much more quickly with an extra pair of hands. This hitch was installed on a 2016 Mazda CX-9. The one issue I had was with the lower trim panel that had to be removed for the installation. After bolting up the hitch, I realized that I was not going to be able to get the trim panel back into position with the hitch bolted all the way up, and had to drop it some by loosening the bolts in order to get the trim between the hitch and the mounting points. Once I started retightening the bolts, I found that the hitch was pulling the middle of the trim piece up causing the two ends of the trim to splay downward. Snug is good but too snug can cause some problems. It is not a biggie because it is for the most part not easily seen by the casual observer, but if the manufacturer would like to make a good product better, they might take a look at dropping the hitch down just a bit in order to provide some relief between the hitch and the trim piece.288721

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