Trailer Hitch and Wiring for a 2005 Toyota Matrix

Published 10/14/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"

(92)

$195.16

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(69)

$44.04

1-7/8" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long Shank - Chrome - 2,000 lbs

(2619)

$17.03

2" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long Shank - Chrome - 3,500 lbs

(2619)

$17.30

Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole

(659)

$61.47

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"

(52)

$198.90

Curt Class II Drawbar - 2-5/8" Rise, 3-1/4" Drop - 7-1/4" Long - 3,500 lbs

(2273)

$32.39

Curt Class II Euro Style Drawbar with 1-7/8" Ball - 4-5/8" Rise - 3,500 lbs

(386)

$38.39

Curt Class II Euro Style Drawbar with 2" Ball - 2-5/8" Rise - 3,500 lbs

(386)

$35.94

Question:

1. I want to tow a 900 pound utility trailer with my 2005 Toyota Matrix. Ground Clearance is especially important. I am willing to trim/cut the fascia if needed. Is C12221 the best fit? 2. Also, I see the 4 pin electrical wiring recommended for the Matrix, but the electrical on the trailer is a round 7 pin. Do I need an adapter or do I need to change the electrical plug on the trailer, or do I need to have a different type of electrical on my car? 3. Lastly, how do I know if I need a rise or drop on the ball? How/what do I measure? Thank you!

asked by: Denise

Expert Reply:

Curt trailer hitch # C12221 would be a good option as long as your 2005 Toyota Matrix is not an XR or XRS model. If it is an XR or XRS model then # C12013 would be the best option for a Curt hitch.

These are both Class II hitches which means you have to use the ball mount recommended by the hitch manufacture so as not to void the hitch warranty. This will limit the amount of rise you can get to be able to tow the trailer level. Based on the picture you have sent you will need a good amount of rise.

Both the recommended ball mount, # C45521, and the recommended Euro-style ball mounts, # C45572 for a 2 inch ball or # C45571 for a 1-7/8 inch ball, have a 2-5/8 inch rise. Not much rise but that is what you will have to work with in this case.

If you go with ball mount # C45521 then for a 1-7/8 inch ball use # 19256 and for a 2 inch ball use # 19258. I have included a link to the right that explains measuring for rise or drop but since this is a Class II hitch and you have to use a recommended ball mount there isn't a whole lot that can be done.

For trailer wiring you would need to install a 4-Way, # 118386. Then to add a 7-Way you would need adapter # 37185. This is a 4-Way flat to 7-Way blade style connector. The actual connector is round put it uses blade style contacts or pins which is the most common 7-Way. If the pins are actually round then I would change the connector on the trailer to a 4-Way flat.

A 7-Way trailer connector has all the light functions that a 4-Way has but also has pins for 12 volt power, reverse lights, and brake output for electric brakes. If those functions are not needed all you will have to do is ground the white wire on the adapter and stow the other wires out of the way.