Should I Go With The Maximum On The Hitch Or Vehicle For What Can Be Towed/Carried?

Updated 08/12/2025 | Published 08/08/2025

Question:

I have a Mazda CX-50 Hybrid and am interested in the C33MJ hitch. I will be carrying bikes. The C33MJ has a 525 lb tongue weight rating, which is sufficient for my rack and bikes. Mazda sells a Lifestyle hitch that only supports 200 lbs. Do you know if the Mazda 200 lb limit is the hitch limit, or is it the vehicle limit? In other words, is the 525 lb tongue weight rating still valid for the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid using the C33MJ hitch?

asked by: Dave M

Expert Reply:

Hi Dave!

The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C33MJ may be rated up to 525 pounds of tongue weight, but you are always limited by the lowest rated component. In this case, it looks like it will be your 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid. From what I could find, it looks like you have 200 pounds of tongue weight to work with.

This should still be plenty for carrying a bike rack and bikes, but do you already have a bike rack? And how much do your bikes weigh?

expert reply by: Lazer S

Curt C33MJ Hitch Mazda CX-50
(click to enlarge)

Dave M.

8/12/2025

I have an older Thule rack that is similar to the Thule Apex XT which weighs 35lbs. I have two Specialized Sirrus X 4.0, each weigh 24lbs. So total weight is 83lbs. But my Thule rack is 1.25". So, I need a reducer. The one I have is the Curt C45770, which will drop the 200lb limit to 100lb. Is there a different reducer that will not drop the load capacity by half?

Lazer S.

8/12/2025

@DaveM We have two that won't cut the tongue weight in half. Out of those two, I recommend the etrailer Hitch Reducer 2" to 1-1/4" Trailer Hitch Receiver # e63YR as it is significantly less expensive than the other one. And that's a nice bike! I've never ridden Specialized, but grew up on GT BMX bikes, mountain bikes, and road bikes. Kind of sounds like they will be going away though. Sad times.