Trailer Hitch Installation - 2010 Mazda CX-7

How to Install a Trailer Hitch on a 2010 Mazda CX-7

Today on this 2010 Mazda CX-7 we will be installing Draw-Tite hitch part number 36419. This installation will also apply for Hidden Hitch part number 90154. Looking under the vehicle, the first thing we want to note before installing our trailer hitch is that our exhaust is going to need to be lowered off these two rear most hangers. One on the passenger side and one on the drivers side. :22

To do that we are going to take a spray lubricant, like a DW-40, and go ahead and spray down the stud of the exhaust hanger. That is going to make the removal of the rubber hanger much easier. Then we are going to take some pliers and pry off the rubber hanger. You will see that with the exhaust removed off its rear most hangers you can actually pivot it down and let it rest right there. That is going to give us a little more working room on each side of the frame. :54

Looking over at the drivers side frame rail, you will note we have two round holes. One here and one here that are going to be providing our two attaching points for our trailer hitch. What we are going to need to do is fish our hardware that is provided with our installation kit, through the frame and down into position into those holes. To do that we are going to need to enlarge one of these holes. I am going to do the forward most one and enlarge it just enough to get the carriage bolt and block inside the frame. The carriage bolt and block are a little too large, so I am going to just take a notch out of the hole. To accomplish a bigger opening, you can get creative. You can use a rottery tool, or metal file, like the instructions suggest. I am going to use an air chisel and just take the edge off here. And again, just make it large enough for the block to get in place. We will do that same procedure on the passenger side as well. With that hole enlarged, we are going to take one of the bolt leaders that is provided with the installation kit and take it and force feed it through the forward hole. First, take it through the rearmost hole and push it through the hole we just enlarged. Next, take the block and feed it onto the bolt leader, followed by our carriage bolt, which we are going to wrap the threads of the bolt leader around. 2:31

Go ahead and put the block up into the frame, followed by the carriage bolt, and pull those down into position. Next, for this attachment point, we are going to do everything independent of the hole. We will slide the block onto the bolt leader, and then wrap the threads of the carriage bolt with the bolt leader. This time we are going to feed the carriage bolt first up through the hole, followed by the block, and then pull them back down into place. With the drivers side down we want to go over and repeat the same procedure on the passenger side. We are ready to put the hitch up into position. We want to make sure we go up and over the exhaust hanger that is lowered down here. You will be attaching t he hitch to the bolts in the frame using the conical tooth washer and hex bolt that is provided with the installation kit. With the hitch up in position and the hardware in place we can go ahead and torque our bolts down. You want to check with the directions to verify the appropriate torque rating for each individual bolt. 4:01

With all the bolts torqued down we just want to go ahead and put our exhaust back up on its hangers and our installation will be complete. Now with our hitch installed we can give you some additional measurements. From the top of the receiver tube opening to the ground is going to measure 12-3/ 4 inches. From the center of the pin hole to the back edge of the bumper is approximately 9 inches. That will conclude the installation of Draw-Tite hitch part number 36419 on a 2010 Mazda CX-7.