Can a Scooter/Motorcycle be Carried on a Trailer Hitch on a 2015 Mazda CX-5

Question:

I saw somewhere the tongue weight is 200 lbs for the vehicle. Is this for the hitch that is factory installed by Mazda? This 76138 has a tongue weight of 675 LBS, but will it only be rated for 200 LBS? I want to use a scooter/motorcycle hitch attachment with this trailer hitch, but the weight of the scooter and attachment will be somewhere around 240 lbs.

asked by: Mike B

Expert Reply:

According to the owner's manual for the 2015 Mazda CX-5 the vehicle itself is rated for 2,000 pounds gross trailer weight and a tongue weight of 10 to 15 percent (up to 200 pounds). The factory hitch is likely rated to match but there could be a sticker on the hitch stating the capacity.

Even if a trailer hitch is rated higher you still have to go by the lowest rated component in the system. So since the vehicle has a 200 pound tongue weight capacity you would be limited to that even though Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" Item # 76138 is rated higher.

In order to carry a scooter or motorcycle with the CX-5 and not overload the vehicle you would need to put the scooter or motorcycle on a small trailer and tow it. For that you will also need a ball mount and ball and a trailer wiring harness.

I recommend etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not have the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, use the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

And for a trailer wiring harness you can use T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector Item # 118563. I have linked videos showing example installations of the hitch and wiring for you.