Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

by: Adrian06/07/2022

This hitch does NOT fit the 2021 Mazda CX-5. While it can be installed, it touches the muffler hangers. This causes a loud rattle in the car when you go over a bump. I talked to e-trailer about this and they recommended bending the muffler hangers or modifying it in some other way that they could not explain. If you have to modify your vehicle to make something fit, then I don’t think that counts as custom fitting.1309850

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This is a simple fix that you can do or a muffler shop can do for you. Please take a look at this help article regarding the issue:

-- Sierra K - 06/10/2022

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How to Correct Noise from Exhaust Rattling Against a Trailer Hitch

This is a great quality product with excellent installation support that I have come to expect from etrailer! My hitch receiver came with all hardware and ingenious "fish wires" to install this unit making it a simple procedure. For a person like me doing this in my driveway I can say that having an assistant, while not necessary, would make this install much easier. Other suggestions to future installers is that the latest etrailer video for this Draw Tite is a must watch. Additional suggestions are: leave all 4 rubber muffler hangers on the top frame hanger posts, twist the rearward pair to point to the front of the car before mounting the unit and have a deep and shallow (standard depth) 19mm or 3/4 inch socket for your torque wrench since room is limited.919684

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Works well as expected. Will be buying from etrailer in the future.

Mark P - 12/06/2021

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Installed it as per your video instructions. Took me an hour an a half, but that was due to installing it by myself. Looks good. see photos.
I bought for transporting my E-bike, and other1071381

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Holding strong, works...

Richard - 06/22/2022

142137

I couldn’t be any happier with this purchase. The drawtite hitch is solid and is even hidden well beneath the rear bumper, so that’s a plus. It took the mechanics less than 30 minutes to install it since it was a custom hitch. I’ve always wanted a hitch specifically for carriers and bike racks, now I have one and am very satisfied with my purchase. Thank you Etrailer for all of the research you all do and for the very informative site. It cuts my work in half. Here is a photo of my Mazda with hitch installed and an overdrive sports rack hooked to it.680867

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I am very pleased with this product!!! I have not had any issues, it’s been reliable and still looks like a bought it yesterday. Absolutely no rust and since I do not have a carport or garage, it’s constantly exposed to outdoor conditions in Western NC many love this area, it’s temperate rain forest. Anyway, I do not regret purchasing! Love it! I keep a 3- bike rack carrier hooked up at all times bc I ride a lot! Every other day or so. The bike I own is a radrover, so it weighs about 60lbs plus. Also, I have two regular bicycles for cruising, which are lighter, but regardless, the hitch has proven to be strong and durable. One happy customer.

Melisa - 08/08/2021

118771

Fairly simple installation with clear instructions. Took me about an hour doing the install alone. Didn't need to lift the car off the ground, and I used a jack to lift the hitch while I bolted it down. Hardest part was torqueing down the bolts. My torque wrench was relatively short, so I needed to assemble my own version of a breaker bar to get the bolts tightened to specifications. All in all, very impressed with the part, installation, and price!1299583

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Shipping was very fast and the items were well packaged. The online video to help with installation was spot on and very helpful. Install on our Mazda CX-5 was easy with the included hardware kit. All and all took me about 45 mins to install the hitch. I did it all in my driveway with the help of my 2 sons and my wife.1309987

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Product is exactly what is shown in photos and install video. I have the 2016.5 CX-5 and other than fighting for a good angle to move the exhaust hangers went pretty smoothly. Did the full install prep and clean up in about 45 mins. Def could have used another set of hands but my speed jack definitely helped. Doing my girlfriends car over the weekend1256896

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Provide extra fish wires. I pulled two off bolts but then hitch slipped and bolts were pushed back into car frame. Tried to get two more fish wires from e trailer but they said I would have to buy hole bolt package for 50 dollars. Had to go to uhaul and they gave me two more fish wires free. Next time I buy a hitch I will go to uhaul1502632

Product Was good and fit perfectly on my car.Installation is super easy as with instructions and videos.This is my first time installing a hitch so initially I struggled as due to lack of help. After a little research and with the help of a friend Installed in 15 Mins(Research and initials trail not counted).Things to remember.
1)Car ramps will help where we can pick from [hardware store].
2)Flat head screwdriver and soap water is super good option for removing Exhaust from hangers.
3)Rubber bushes should be on top hooks and facing front side of the car(Not back side to-wards trunk).
4)Remove one facia screw(plastic clip) for easy adjustment which was not demonstrated in the video but advised in the manual.
5)Better to keep the fish wires of the back bolts to avoid pushing them inside the frame.(C-retention rings will help where manufacturer is not providing).
6)Second person will make the job easy.

Paint Quality is very very poor which is pealing out as mentioned by others in this forum.
Installed my Kuat rack which comes with stabilizer and fits perfect.
yet to test on the roads.

Pics or not so clear.



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This is one of the best thing i have chosen

Kamalakara - 06/09/2019

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2021 Mazda CX 5 Installation Review: Overall, the installation was pretty easy and straightforward. The installation video on etrailer was more than enough to install the hitch at home. All you need is an extra pair of hands to hold the hitch in place when bolting. Installation can be done without the use of jack stands. My only complaint(reason for 4 stars) with the product is the ECoat and Powdercoat. It already peeled off on a couple of trim edges1123075

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by: Dave Andrews07/25/2021

Great trailer hitch! Strong and well crafted. Perfect for our 5 bike rack, and could clearly handle a trailer or other heavy load. Instructional video was clear and comprehensive. And it looks great. Based on this experience, this is a quality company that takes pride in providing quality products. My compliments to the staff.1104427

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This worked out for my 2023 Mazda CX-5. A “little” difficult to install by myself. But I managed.

I only needed to drop release the bolts that hold the muffler to the exhaust system and then release the two BOTTOM rear muffler rubber supports, then let the muffler hang from the two front supports.

Installed all the plates and bolts through the frame and let the wires hang down. Pushed pushed the receiver up in place, hold with one hand while getting a nut screwed on one side, then moved to the other side to put on another nut. I left them all loose.
Then slid the muffler supports back on.. you might want to grease or lube them so they slide on easier.
Tightened the muffler back to the exhaust system before finally tightening everything else.

Took about 2 hours by myself. Probably could have done it in an hour if I actually watched a video or read the instructions first.1481897

by: Kerry12/12/2022

Good price, works well, installs pretty easy, would reccomend1483681

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The hitch was a very tight fit and had to be forced by the exhaust grommet mounts. Pay close attention to the installation of the bolts in the vehicles frame. Once lost, you can't get them back, think it through first. Do not totally remove the exhaust grommets, leave them on the vehicle and unattached from the muffler before attempting to install the hitch.
Seemed to be of good quality and finish. I'm looking forward to using it.1498841

This hitch was easy to install with the video instructions etrailer provided. I did not have to jack my Mazda CX-5 but the wheels are 19-inch. It was helpful to have someone to help hold the hitch in place while tightening the fasteners. Leaving the rear rubber hangers on the top while facing them forward was a good tip I saw in other reviews. I also ordered a bike rack that was just as easy to put together. Very satisfied with this company.984643

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Install was not simple. Three guys and a lift. Had to put hitch on twice due too the fact we took off the muffler rubber holders. Can't get lower ones on with hitch in place. The electrical plug and play omg that was a joke. The entire left and right sides of back interior had to be removed to get to the "plug" and "play" connectors. I rate this as the most difficult hitch I've installed. I've done the BMW x1,x3 and Jeep Grand Cherokee hitch installs from your site...and they were seemless...awesome..but the mazada cx5 really sucked.1261775

I recommend watching our video install on a 2019 Mazda CX-5 before starting on the installation for pointers. We also have a great FAQ on tips for installing hitches.

-- Jenny N - 02/15/2022

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Trailer Hitch Installation Tips

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Installation - 2019 Mazda CX-5 - Video

Class leading tongue weight capacity. Pretty straightforward installation. E-trailer video (for 2017 Mazda CX-5) very helpful. Took about 1.5 hours going slow and double-checking everything. Local installers were between $180-$300, so happy to do myself. Having a second set of hands getting hitch in place to bolt was helpful. There were some scratches on the paint. Not a big deal. Hitch is mostly hidden under the car. Recommended if you need a stout hitch for your Mazda.1424895

by: Patrick03/30/2022

Installed this myself on my 2021 CX-5 Signature about a year ago and have been pleased with it ever since. As described, it requires no cutting or modification, only the removal a small plastic trim piece under the bumper that seemed entirely unnecessary. A second pair of hands helps to lift the receiver into place, but otherwise an easy one-man job.

I did encounter two small hiccups along the way, though:
The install video on etrailer is for a slightly different receiver than the one I got, even though it says it should be for this same Draw-Tite receiver. The bolt pattern is a little bit different and the included instructions are brief and not super descriptive. I figured it out, though, not difficult just confusing at first because of the difference.

The second hiccup was probably my own mistake. After installing, the exhaust would occasionally bang against the receiver while driving, especially over rough roads. I got under there again, loosened up the bolts and pushed the receiver as far toward the rear of the car as possible and tightened it back up. It only shifted a fraction of an inch, but the banging is entirely gone now. The fitment is very tight so if you experience any banging or clunking try that out!1279451

Very happy with my purchase experience with eTrailer.com - web site navigation and order process very easy and the installation video of the Draw-Tite Max-Frame trailer hitch receiver on my specific make/model car was extremely helpful. Based on this experience, I have recommended eTrailer to another family member.1401506

Great product and relatively easy installation. I’ve had it on for a few months and when I re-torqued the bolts they hadn’t budged. Biggest complaint is there was new “clunk” at the rear of the car where the exhaust pipe now hits the angle iron when you go over bumps. Fixed it by getting motorcycle exhaust heat shield wrap and taking up the gap. If I had known this ahead of time I would have wrapped the pipes before (way simpler) or notched out the angle iron on the hitch.1419571

Delivery and product were excellent. With the helpful videos, installation was straightforward. I realize the item description said a part may be needed to be cut for the 2017 Mazda CX-5 GT model, but it would have been nice to have a custom made hitch fit perfectly without discarding a piece of the plastic under the bumper. There is a strip of plastic that needs to be removed and discarded with a flathead screwdriver for the hitch to fit on the GT model. Besides that, everything was of great quality and craftsmanship. After reading other reviews, I listened to others and left the rubber exhaust hangers on the top hooks, on the car, rather than on the exhaust itself. One thing to add was when I rotated the hanger to make installing the hitch easier, I rotated it back towards the rear, which I later learned took a little effort rotating it all the way forward and down to reattach the exhaust. I should have rotated the oval hanger forward, towards the front, which would have taken no effort rotating back down to reattach the exhaust. Don't know if that makes any sense, but I'll attach some photos for reference.417989

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It is a great product that fits perfectly. Excellent customer service from etrailer personnel. No complaints at all.1502636

Solid construction, but was a pain to install on our 2017 Mazda CX-5, took 3 of us because we had to loosen the muffler. Once installed works great though!1431924

arrived on time with all hardware and instruction. A local shop installed with no issues. I’ve has the hitch on my Mazda CX-5 for 6 months and never give it a second thought. Top notch service and hitch from e/trailer1390809

Fits well. Unfortunately when you hit a bump, the muffler will hit the hitch.1417892

Heres how the exhaust can rattle against the hitch. The exhaust system at the rear of the car is attached to the vehicle using rubber isolators and easily bendable exhaust hangers. Because of this, the actual position of the exhaust system can vary a bit from vehicle to vehicle. When the hitch is installed, its position will not vary from vehicle to vehicle. The large tolerances in the exhaust system are what can allow the rattle to occur. In other words, its not the fault of the hitch or its design. Youll just need to create a bit more space between the hitch and the exhaust. This is a common occurrence that is easily remedied by slightly bending the exhaust hanger. Ive linked you to an help article that addresses how to easily fix the rattle.

-- Mike L - 10/02/2022

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Helpful Link