Anyone Towing using a Mazda 6 sedan?

[dlt123me]

I think I may be in trouble, but thought I would ask here before I get too disappointed...

I have a 1997 Mazda Mazda 6 which is a 6 cylinder sport sedan. I've done some research and neither Hidden or Curt hitch manufacturers make an add-on trailer hitch for this car. It looks like I may have to have a welder fabricate a hitch for me. Spendy, $400 plus, not counting the wiring hookup...

All the welders I've called say they have to look at it first before they can make a decision. I won't be able to take my car in till next week, so thought I would run this through the forum.

Does anyone here tow their small trailer using a 1997 Mazda 6? I'm hoping that it will be able to have a welded hitch put on, but I'm suspecting this may not be the case.

Note: I will be towing nothing bigger than a 13' trailer if my car can have a hitch put on it.

Any help is appreciated and thanks in advance for fielding a frustrated Mazda owner.
Dennis

[Thomas G.]

I think that your problem may not be so much the hitch, but that the vehicle isn't suited for towing. What is the manufacturer's tow rating, including maximum tongue weight?

[Evan Friesen]

Is the Mazda 6 the same as the MX6? I found a website selling a hitch for an 1997 Mazda MX6. Not sure if it helps, but thought I'd give you the link anyways.

Curt 11241 - Mazda MX-6 Trailer Hitch 1993-1997 - Receiver Tow Hitches

[dlt123me]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

I think that your problem may not be so much the hitch, but that the vehicle isn't suited for towing. What is the manufacturer's tow rating, including maximum tongue weight?

I've checked around and have deduced that it should be able to tow 1500 lbs up to 2000 lbs. The problem is that is may not be able to take a hitch. I believe it is a unibody chassis so that may be why it doesn't have the ability to have a hitch.

The car is a 6 speed automatic transmission with a V6 as it's power plant. It is a very powerful engine for a V6. I've been surprised at its power.

I just think that this model cannot take a hitch, 3rd party or fabricated. If that's the case, I think I am going to sell the car. It's a great car, but this might be the straw that breaks the camel's back for me...

Thanks for responding.
Dennis

[dlt123me]

Originally Posted by Evan Friesen

Is the Mazda 6 the same as the MX6? I found a website selling a hitch for an 1997 Mazda MX6. Not sure if it helps, but thought I'd give you the link anyways.

Curt 11241 - Mazda MX-6 Trailer Hitch 1993-1997 - Receiver Tow Hitches

No, the Mx-6 is a smaller car then the Mazda 6. The Mazda 6 is a more powerful car and the one I have is the Sport model. It's a nice car, but I am beginning to feel that a hitch is a no go on this model.

Thanks for the suggestion though.
Dennis

[Mike Magee]

My Highlander is unibody and takes a receiver rated at 5000 lbs towing, so unibody vs not does not indicate anything.

You could ask a Mazda dealer to look up your car's tow rating. That will tell you something.

[dlt123me]

I am such a dork sometimes... I just found out that I actually own a 2007 NOT a 1997 Mazda6. Go ahead and laugh... I deserve it. I can, in fact, get a hitch for this car.

Please forgive me for wasting your valuable time in answering a question from someone who doesn't even know the year of his car.

It's ironic though... I never knew feeling so dumb and realizing I could get what I wanted could be such a relief. I can keep my car and get a small trailer.

I'm such a dork sometimes, but I still love me. Thanks everyone for playing,

Dennis

[Steve Hammel]

There is a picture of a Mini Cooper pulling a 13' on the Scamp homepage so I seriously doubt your Mazda wouldn't handle it. Good Luck!

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by dlt123me

I'm such a dork sometimes, but I still love me. Thanks everyone for playing,

Dennis

You can be a dork Dennis, we'll like you anyway. I'm glad you found your car is doable...

[Rick Mooyman]

A search of the UHaul web site shows 1997 Mazda 626 hitch part number 247238 is $149.95 and the wire kit part number is 14486 for $16.95

[Rick Mooyman]

U-Haul: 2007 Mazda Mazda6 Front Wheel Drive trailer hitch components

Hitch receiver



Sportframe 1 1/4 inch Rec
Max weight 2000 lbs.2983
Sportframe 1 1/4 inch Rec
Max weight 2000 lbs.2983Sportframe 1 1/4 inch Rec
Max weight 2000 lbs.8801

• Class 1 hitch
• Max weight: 2,000 lbs,
• Part number: 24738
• Hitch image shown is for display purposes only and may not reflect the actual hitch for this vehicle.

$169.95


Ball mount



Class II Ball Mount 3-1/4" Drop or 2-5/8" Rise Black Powder Coat

• Class II Ball Mount for
  1-1/4" receiver.
• Trailer weight capacity: 3500 lbs.
• Tongue weight capacity: 300 lbs.
• Part number: 36071B

$24.95


Hitch balls



1-7/8 " Hitch Ball,1-15/16" Shank Length1-7/8" Hitch Ball,2-9/16" Shank Length2" Hitch Ball, 1-15/16" Shank Length2" Hitch Ball, 2-9/16" Shank Length

• 1-7/8 " ball x 3/4" shank
• Part number: 4904

$8.95


Pin and clip



Class I and II Pin & Clip

• Fits Class I and II receiver style hitches.
• 1/2" Diameter
• Part number: 3130

$1.39


Wiring



Quick Connect 118405Trailer Light Power Module

• 2007/2009 FJ Cruiser
• Part number: CQT118405

$59.44



Total: $264.68

[Carol H]

The orginal poster should check their owners manual for the capacity. Just because a hitch can be purchased for it does not mean the car is rated to tow anything. Some years of the Mazada 6 sports wagons with V6 were not rated to tow anything. They may find themselves towing the Mazada 6 to repair rather then the car pulling a trailer.

[dlt123me]

Originally Posted by Rick Mooyman

U-Haul: 2007 Mazda Mazda6 Front Wheel Drive trailer hitch components

Hitch receiver




Ball mount




Hitch balls




Pin and clip




Wiring



Total: $264.68

Wow, this is a lot more help than I expected. Thank you Rick for finding this for me. I will be putting on my hitch next week.

Now, I have to save up for a small 13' trailer. I figure it will take me some time to find one in good condition. I've seen some really nice trailers on this site and it has really piqued my desire to get one, so I will take my time.

Just curious, what small 13' is going to be easier to find on the West coast, primarily the Pacific NW? Is there more than one kind over here than elsewhere?

Thanks again everyone for your help and especially Rick Mooyman for pointing me in the right direction. I am amazed at the threads I've read on this site. What a great forum!

Dennis

[dlt123me]

Originally Posted by Carol H

The orginal poster should check their owners manual for the capacity. Just because a hitch can be purchased for it does not mean the car is rated to tow anything. Some years of the Mazada 6 sports wagons with V6 were not rated to tow anything. They may find themselves towing the Mazada 6 to repair rather then the car pulling a trailer.

I'm actually going to also install a transmission cooler on my car. I've been told that my car should be able to handle 1500 - 2000 lbs of trailer.

I will continue to check to make sure this is the case by checking with various Mazda repair departments and other mechanics who work on Mazdas...

Thanks for your concerns.
Dennis

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by dlt123me

Just curious, what small 13' is going to be easier to find on the West coast, primarily the Pacific NW? Is there more than one kind over here than elsewhere?

Scamps, Bolers and 1970s Trilliums. Make yourself familiar with the names of brands on the home page... you never know when one will pop up and you'll want to go look!

Good luck on the egg hunt

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Scamps, Bolers and 1970s Trilliums. Make yourself familiar with the names of brands on the home page... you never know when one will pop up and you'll want to go look!

Good luck on the egg hunt

Don't forget to check Canada, too, if you are the PNW.

[dlt123me]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Don't forget to check Canada, too, if you are the PNW.

How does one buy from Canada? Are there any tariffs, taxes, duties or border or extra fees to buy there and bring into the US?

How would the title change work? Would be any hassles trying to change the title from Canadian to US?

Just curious,
Dennis

[dlt123me]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Scamps, Bolers and 1970s Trilliums. Make yourself familiar with the names of brands on the home page... you never know when one will pop up and you'll want to go look!

Good luck on the egg hunt

What about U-Hauls, are they an East coast trailer more so? I like the look of the U-Haul and would like to find one here...

Thanks for the suggestions and earlier sympathies.
Dennis

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by dlt123me

How does one buy from Canada? Are there any tariffs, taxes, duties or border or extra fees to buy there and bring into the US?

How would the title change work? Would be any hassles trying to change the title from Canadian to US?

Just curious,
Dennis

Do a Google site search here - lots of threads.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/m...n+canada&sa=Go

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by dlt123me

What about U-Hauls, are they an East coast trailer more so? I like the look of the U-Haul and would like to find one here...

Thanks for the suggestions and earlier sympathies.
Dennis

UHauls seem to be all over the US, not so much in Canada. They were made in Ohio and Arizona. It is an excellent trailer in my unbiased opinion.