How To Mount a Trailer Connector To The Draw-Tite Hitch 76138 On a 2018 Mazda CX-5

Question:

I recently purchased the no-drill mount 18140 and bracket 18144 to secure the Mazda OEM 4-pin wiring harness on my 2018 Mazda CX-5. Based on expert feedback from Connor L on etrailer, these two components should have done the trick. I went to install the components last night and was unable to do so. The hidden Draw-Tite hitch 76138 sits up behind the bumper and trim of my vehicle and does not allow 18140 to be attached as shown in the installation video. I tried multiple orientations with no luck. I did some digging into the reviews for 18140 and came across one from a guy named Mark on 3/3/2018 who had the same vehicle as me and ran into the same issue.

asked by: Caleb T

Expert Reply:

I would try to install the No-Drill Mount for Electrical Mounting Bracket part # 18140 on the underside of your Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 76138, similar to what you see in the attached photo. The bracket may also need to be bent down some towards the ground. This is a universal bracket so there may need to be some slight modifications in order to make this work for you.

That said, you could drill the Mounting Bracket 4-Pole Flat part # 18144 directly to the underside of the bumper or use the Eclipse Magnetic Mounting Bracket for 4-Way Flat Trailer Connectors part # 306-X6019 instead.

expert reply by: Conner L