Trailer hitch

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2018 Mazda CX-9 GT
Looking to possibly install a trailer hitch and also buy a small trailer for pulling my small smoker with me.

Looking for recommendations
 
I installed a Curt 12156 class II hitch with 1-1/4" receiver on my 2019 CX-9 for my bike rack (1-Up USA). The best price I could find at the time was from etrailer.com. It was simple to install. I was able to do it myself although the the Youtube videos I watched called for a helper. It's a quality hitch as long as the your towing needs are within the specs.

I did not install a wiring kit since I am not towing with it.

The last trailer I purchased was from Costco and I used it regularly for 12 years to haul landscaping materials and other items. It was a tough little trailer. It looks like they still sell them online but I have no idea how price competitive they are. They're price was great when I purchased mine.

https://www.costco.com/DK2-4.5-ft.-...-Trailer-with-Bed-Tilt.product.100341985.html
 
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I installed a Curt 12156 class II hitch with 1-1/4" receiver on my 2019 CX-9 for my bike rack (1-Up USA). The best price I could find at the time was from etrailer.com. It was simple to install. I was able to do it myself although the the Youtube videos I watched called for a helper. It's a quality hitch as long as the your towing needs are within the specs.

I did not install a wiring kit since I am not towing with it.

The last trailer I purchased was from Costco and I used it regularly for 12 years to haul landscaping materials and other items. It was a tough little trailer. It looks like they still sell them online but I have no idea how price competitive they are. They're price was great when I purchased mine.

https://www.costco.com/DK2-4.5-ft.-...-Trailer-with-Bed-Tilt.product.100341985.html

Thanks for the info, that costo trailer is too big, I literally would just need a tiny one like this

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Carry-On-Trailer-3-5-ft-x-5-ft-Wire-Mesh-Utility-Trailer/3680952
 
I tow occasionally: https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123866108-Towing-with-your-CX-9

I have this hitch: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Draw-Tite/76020.html
It took me about an hour and a half to two hours to install.

I have this trailer from Lowes: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Carry-On-T...e-Mesh-Utility-Trailer-with-Ramp-Gate/3013702
It's mentioned as Trailer #4 in my towing thread. I recommend buying a slightly larger trailer than you think you'll need just because having a dedicated purpose trailer is very limiting.
With this sized trailer, I will never need to borrow a small pickup truck ever again. It's got the size and payload capacity of a Ford Ranger/Chevrolet Colorado/Toyota Tacoma/Nissan Frontier/Honda Ridgeline/etc.
This small trailer is easily movable by hand and I can pick it up and lean it against the house to save space.
 
The two brands available are Curt and Cequent (labeled Draw-Tite or U-Haul). Either is fine. You decide if you want the 2" square tube or 1-1/4" square tube at the receiver. The 2" is more versatile--it's easier to put the 1-1/4" adapter into it than vice versa when needed. Either brand has a tail light wiring kit that works well.
 
I had one installed on my 2012 CX-9 at U-Haul so I could use a bicycle rack on it. I got the wiring installed as well in the event that I needed to tow a trailer sometime (haven't so far).
 
I installed one from e-trailer, good price and easy to do. I used a jack to help hold up the hitch while I mounted it in place. The removal of the rubber holders for the mufflers was easy if you spray some wd40 or something for them to slide and use some pliers to push them off the metal support. I bought the mazda OEM wiring kit and you do NOT need to take out the entire right side back of the car nor the stuff next to the passenger seat in the reat, you can just reach your hands in to do the connections. I have towed a jet ski and it was like it wasn't even behind me.
 
I installed one from e-trailer, good price and easy to do. I used a jack to help hold up the hitch while I mounted it in place. The removal of the rubber holders for the mufflers was easy if you spray some wd40 or something for them to slide and use some pliers to push them off the metal support. I bought the mazda OEM wiring kit and you do NOT need to take out the entire right side back of the car nor the stuff next to the passenger seat in the reat, you can just reach your hands in to do the connections. I have towed a jet ski and it was like it wasn't even behind me.

I was going to have U-haul do mine but they are having issues getting the harness and charging too much. Do you recall what tools you needed? I currently have limited access as I am not in my home state. Were the instructions good? I'm guessing it's a two person job
 
One person job, but a floor jack or stack of short lumber pieces or something as a prop helps hold up the muffler. Auto parts stores have a plier-like tool for popping off the exhaust rubber hangers..not needed but it is handy. There are some plastic lever tools to help pop loose the interior panels for the wiring kit. The rest are ordinary wrenches.
 
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