I'm planning to add a trailer hitch and wiring to my '21 CX-5.
Pretty much decided in the Drawtite hitch from e-trailer.
Questiion on the wiring harness. I've seen the e-trailer offerings and installation videos, they run around $50.
Has anyone used the factory harness, part # 00008ER13 and 00008ER10? These run about $68 at MazdaSwag.
My question is if the install is different, not requiring a power wire run from the front of the vehicle?

 

I may have found the answer after reading through most of the 7000 pages of the owners manual!
The interior fuse box shows one fuse listed for 'trailer'.
Gonna contact MazdaSwag and ask them before I order.

 

Would you please let me know what you find, prep and install? I'm considering a hitch, as well.

Best. Alan

 

Will do.
MazdaSwag told me that the factory harness does in fact connect in the rear of the car and does have the fused power connection in that location.
With shipping about $75. Worth the additional cost to not have a power lead running under the vehicle.
I'll post a copy of the instructions , if they are supplied!
Pics when I do the actual installatiion

 

Bought the Drawtite hitch #76138 from e-trailer. Installed it yesterday, was fairly easy. Watch the e-trailer video for good install instructions.
I jacked up the rear wheels and placed a 4x4 and 2x4 (5 inches total) under each rear tire. This gave me plenty of room to slide under the car on my creeper.
It would be easier to have a helper when it comes time to lift the hitch into position, I used a jack stand to help support the weight.

The Mazda harness arrived yesterday afternoon. Insrtuctions are good, but the install is alot mor involved than the aftermarket harness' appear to be.
One reason I went with the Mazda harness is a dealer video showed the wiring connector mounted/attached under the bumper next to the hitch. This apparent connection is a slot that is part of the Mazda hitch. I have some small aluminum angle, I'll build something to mount the connector.

 

Okay, wiring installed successfully today.
The Mazda kit was very "fussy". I required complete removal of the left rear interior panel. It also required tapping into the factory wiring harness. Kit supplied scotch-lok style taps which I have an aversion to. as these can cut the wire enough to make a potential failure point.
I used Posi-taps for the connections.
It also required a somewhat tedious disassembly of the main harness connector to install the power wire. instructions were a bit unclear with this step.
I also made a bracket for the harness plug to slide into, bolted to the steel bumper fascia support.
If I were doing this again I would go with the e-trailer T-0ne wiring harness, less $$ and less aggravation.

 

I'm looking at doing exactly this. Just purchased my CX-5. Do you have a link for the harness, although I live in the UK, they may still ship.

Cheers
Nigel

 

Here you go: https://www.mazdaswag.com/oem-parts/...2021-00008er13
Don't bother with the "routing kit" they recommend, it's only a few zip ties and instructions to route the lead at least 2" from the muffler/exhaust pipe.
This is the after-market kit I would use if I were doing the install again: https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-...leID=202161940
Good luck!

 

Thanks for that, I'll have a look at both. Mine's a 2014
Nigel

 

So there are several plug and play kits out there by Curt and Tekonsha that you can avoid all those splices. As far as the 12V source, I am planning on using the 12V power outlet under the right cargo area cover to avoid running wires outside the car. Should work right?