Choosing Between Class II and III Trailer Hitch for 2018 Mazda CX-5
Question:
I want to purchase a trailer hitch for my 2018 Mazda cx-5 with 2.5 4cyl engine. My question relates to Class II or Class III. I want a 2 receiver but the Class III seems overkill for the vehicles capacity. What would you recommend?
asked by: Rick M
Expert Reply:
It's pretty common that a trailer hitch will have a greater capacity than the vehicle itself. For liability reasons, the hitch companies would rather have the vehicle itself be the failure point than the hitch they manufacture.
Because the price differential between a Class II hitch with a 1-1/4 inch and a Class III with a 2 inch receiver opening usually isn't very much, as a matter of practice I recommend folks go with the Class III option if it's available. There is a much greater number of hitch mounted accessories available for a 2 inch receiver.
The Draw-Tite Class III # 76138 hitch you'd looked at would be an excellent choice. If you'll be towing with the hitch, you'll also need a trailer wiring harness like part # 118746, a ball mount like # D-28 and a # PC3 hitch pin as well as # 19260 for a 1-7/8 or # 63845 for a 2 inch trailer ball.
If you click the provided links, you can see some videos showing a couple of buddies from our install team installing the hitch and trailer wiring harness I mentioned above.
Products Referenced in This Question
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Powered Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
1-7/8" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 2,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 1-7/8 Inch Diameter Ball
- 2-1/8 Inch Shank Length
- 1 Inch Diameter Shank
- 2000 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Draw-Tite
more information >
2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 2 Inch Diameter Ball
- 2-1/8 Inch Shank Length
- 1 Inch Diameter Shank
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Tow Ready
more information >
Curt Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 4" Rise, 6" Drop - 14-1/4" Long - 6,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- 1 Inch Ball Hole Diameter
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 6 Inch
- Rise - 4 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 6000 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Long Shank
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 675 lbs TW
- 4500 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- Concealed Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
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