Towing Capacity, Brake Controller, and 7-Way Trailer Connector for 2003 Mazda Tribute

Question:

I was looking at upgrading my hitch and adding a brake control with 7 way flat to a 2003 Mazda Tribute to tow a 1700 lb trailer with brakes and a couple of quads. I see the tow rating of this car is listed at 3500 lbs, but the factory towing package is required which I have but the factory installed hitch I have is in fact only a Class II hitch!!!! Is that right? The difference I see listed on your aftermarket class II and Class III hitches you sell for this unit is only in 50 lbs of tung weight. Am I missing something?

asked by: Erik S

Expert Reply:

It certainly is possible that your factory installed hitch that came with the tow package is a Class II trailer hitch. I was able to find in the owner's manual that, when properly equipped, the 2003 Mazda Tribute can tow up to a 3,500 pound trailer.

When it comes to weight ratings for Class II and Class III trailer hitches, Class II hitches are usually rated for up to 3,500 pounds towing and 300-350 pounds tongue weight. Class III hitches can be rated as low as 3,500 pounds, and as high as 6,000 pounds. The vehicle that the hitch is designed for has a lot to do with the capacity of the hitch that the manufacturer uses. Since the maximum towing capacity of the Tribute when properly equipped is 3,500 pounds, the hitch manufacturers offer Class II and Class III trailer hitches that align with the vehicle's capacity.

It is important to note that if the towing capacity of the vehicle is less than the capacity of the hitch, the set-up will be limited to the vehicle's towing capacity.

If you are needing a ball mount and hitch ball to use with a Class III hitch, I recommend the etrailer.com ball mount kit # 989900 to provide you with 2 different ball mount options, as well as a hitch pin, clip, and a couple of hitch balls. You will want to ensure you find the correct ball mount for the rise or drop needed by the trailer. I have attached a help article on finding the correct ball mount for you.

If you need a brake controller, I recommend for you is the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller # 90885. This is a proportional controller that will apply the trailer's brakes with the same intensity as the tow vehicle's brakes. The digital LED screen is user-friendly and easy to read, and the continuous diagnostics will alert you to any potential problems.

If you need a 7-way trailer connector and brake controller, you will want to use the # ETBC7 kit. This will provide you with the needed 7-way connector, additional components, wiring, and wiring connectors for installation. This kit will plug into a 4-way connector, like # 118343. I have attached the installation instructions for this kit for you, as well as a help article on installing a brake controller from scratch.