Trailer Hitch Recommendation for a 2012 Mazda 3
Question:
I am looking to get the hitch which is snuggest fitting to the bumper and has the highest ground clearance. Should I get the Draw Tite or the Hidden Hitch? I am scared that the hitch not when loaded, just by itself will scrape and possibly damage my frame.
asked by: Grant
Expert Reply:
On both the Hidden Hitch 60258 (discontinued) and the Draw-Tite, # 24843, the top of the receiver tube will be approximately 1 inch below the bottom of the rear fascia. The bottom of the receiver will then be another 1-3/4 inches below that. Measure from that point to the ground to get the ground clearance.
Scraping the ground is possible on steep driveways and dips but you are unlikely to damage the vehicle frame unless you are moving quickly to where there is a lot of extra force that suddenly impacts the hitch. Even then most of the damage will be to the hitch, not the vehicle. I have included a link to the installation details for you.
If you plan on doing some towing you can use ball mount # 3594 with 1-7/8 inch ball # 19256 or 2 inch ball # 19258. For trailer wiring use # 118420 if the car does not have LED tail lights ore # 46255 if it does have LED lights. I have linked the wiring instructions as well.
Products Referenced in This Question
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
1-7/8" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long Shank - Chrome - 2,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 1-7/8 Inch Diameter Ball
- 1-9/16 Inch Shank Length
- 3/4 Inch Diameter Shank
- 2000 lbs GTW
- Class I
- Class II
- Draw-Tite
more information >
2" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long Shank - Chrome - 3,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 2 Inch Diameter Ball
- 1-9/16 Inch Shank Length
- 3/4 Inch Diameter Shank
- 3500 lbs GTW
- Class I
- Class II
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Draw-Tite Drawbar for 1-1/4" Hitches - 4" Rise - 10" Long - 2,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- 3/4 Inch Ball Hole Diameter
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Rise - 4 Inch
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- 2000 lbs GTW
- Class I
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Hopkins Active Tail Light Converter with Install Kit
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Vehicle End Connector
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- Hopkins
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class I
- 200 lbs TW
- 2000 lbs GTW
- 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Concealed Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
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