CURT 12170 Class 2 Trailer Hitch, 1-1/4-Inch Receiver, Compatible with Select Mazda CX-5

Some comments from a novice install: I ordered this a while ago and installed it today. There are a few tricky installation steps if you don't have a lift to get the car overhead. I had the back end up on ramps and had enough room to work under there and lower the muffler. Getting the rearmost bolts fished through holes in the frame and into the hitch was a little tricky. Luckily I didn't give up because eventually I got them thru. The other tough part was applying the torque to the 4 fasteners. 2 of them called for 86 ft-lbs and the other 2, 110 ft-lbs. With a torque wrench short enough to fit under the car in that space I had to use quite some strength to get the torque while sitting or partly laying down. The rubber hangers that hold the muffler on were also tough to get on and off. I want to note that they clearly sent me a used hitch. Although it is in good condition they hadn't even bothered to remove the tape somebody else used to hold the washers on. I thought I was getting a new one.

This is the third Curt 12170 hitch I have installed on a Mazda CX-5. #1 was a 2016 FWD, #2 was a 2018 AWD, and #3 was a 2019 AWD. As I write this, Amazon does not show this fitting a 2019 CX-5, but it will just fine. Likewise, there is no significant difference between a FWD and an AWD in the area where this hitch mounts - it fits both models equally well.Installation instructions are good, and written by someone whose first language is English. Take their advice, and tape the four spacer washers to the inside of the hitch rails before you attempt to install it. Although I did two of the three hitch installs single-handedly, the install where I had a spare person to help support the hitch as I started the bolts was much easier. The hitch's holes line up perfectly with existing holes in the vehicle's frame rails. Other than manhandling the weight of the hitch, the hardest part of the install for me was getting the four rubber mounts loose from the muffler. Again, follow the advice on the installation instructions and leave the rubber mounts attached to the vehicle (don't take them all the way off the car). Once the hitch is in place, it is a challenge to get them back onto the vehicle if you take them all the way off.For wiring, I have bought and installed Tekonsha 118746 trailer harnesses. The wiring harness install has actually taken more time than the hitch install.As for service. I have had no issues during the two years I have had this hitch on the 2016. At the risk of stating the obvious, neither a four cylinder CX-5, nor this class II hitch are engineered to pull a 30' Airstream. However, that duo has done just fine pulling a small utility trailer (example: Harbor Freight 4x8). My uses have seen no more than about 100# of tongue weight and maybe 600# to 800# of total trailer weight.When not in use, the small little receiver box is the only thing visible. The rest of the assembly is tucked WAY UP behind the rear bumper. It is very unobtrusive, and for me has posed no clearance issues backing over parking lot planters, or driving up steep driveways. Color me satisfied (after all, I have bought and installed THREE).

Ok, I am not super handy with car maintenance/repair. This hitch went on very easy. I will say, I watched two installation videos on youtube. That is super helpful. The instructions included with the hitch are fairly easy to understand, but make a lot more sense when you can relate it to a "real time" video.A couple things on the 2020 that differed from the instructions and videos. I didn't have a wiring harness anywhere near the hitch. So I didn't have to deal with that at all. The holes are taped on the frame, something the videos really showed, but the instructions didn't. Knowing at the beginning of the project was super helpful.The toughest part is getting the exhaust off the hangers. Use lithium spray grease......then with some muscle and a pry bar you can get them off. I lowered my exhaust about 5 inches, using a strap like they show online. The hitch slide up easily into place. Angle the hitch upward over the exhaust, then drop it down. I didnt have to wrestle with the bumper or push or pull anything. The holes all lined up and it was easy. The videos show fishing all 4 bolts through the frame. On the 2020, I only fished the rear two bolts, the front two bolts bolted right to a nut welded inside the frame. Super easy. Oh!! When fishing the bolts in, make sure the rear most bolts are the circular head bolts. The hexhead go towards the front and thread directly two the frame. They look like the same bolt, but they aren't The hex head will not work if fished through the rear access hole.Over all, it took me about 1 1/2 hr. not bad at all. Much easier than I anticipated.

I was disappointed to discover that the installation for this hitch was much more difficult than the one I had bought from Curt 7 years ago for my 2014 CX-5 (I have a 2020 this year). It could be that the design of the car itself is what changed, and that this is what drove the increased difficulty--so I didn't dock any stars as a result.In the previous one I had, you didn't have to lower the muffler, which meant you didn't need a lift or a pro to install it. It's also extraordinarily heavy, which makes me believe that even with a second person lifting it into place, it would be one of those "quick, quick, my arms are getting tired!" situations. That's a double edged sword, though, in that it also represents that it is a very sturdy and durable item. Still, it seems unnecessary for a class 2 hitch and I wonder if it's heavy enough to materially affect the MPG of the car (even a fraction of a MPG over the life of the car is a lot of $$$).Overall, though, it's a great product. If you do install it yourself, make sure you have a way to increase the clearance under it while you work on it (somebody suggested backing up over a curb to do this). If you are having a professional install it, you have nothing to worry about. Oh, and you can borrow a big torque wrench from the chain auto stores, after putting down a deposit you get back upon return. You don't want to skimp on getting the torque high enough.

Tout est parfait

Instructions need review, you have to lower the muffler completely to position the hitch. Then it goes well.

Good product

This hitch was installed on 2016 Mazda cx-5. All the provided hardware was used in the way that the manufacturer recommended. Everything was tight and fit properly. A month later the hitch was loose and I looked underneath and 2 of the bolt on the passenger side have fallen off completely making the hitch just flop around and possibly causing frame damage to my car since I was towing 1900 lbs with it!I called the manufacturer and they insisted it must be my mistake. They said they had never heard of this problem EVER and that you should periodically check the tightness of all the bolts as needed. NONSENSE it must be made safe for the road to be approved.Next time I would use lock tight or different hardware since what they provide you with will just spin out over time.BE WARNED!

It fit it solo, though it advises to use two people. Keeping the washers between the hitch mount and the frame was a little tricky, but, the tape solution helped.