Review on CURT 11377 Class 1 Trailer Hitch: 1-1/4-Inch Receiver for Mazda 3 - Black by Michael Bressler

Although it was supposed to be delivered via UPS it actually arrived via USPS - much to my mail lady's displeasure. Although it had no box and just lay on the mail truck's corrugated aluminum floor, it had few scratches. I went to ACE and got a can of gloss black high temp grill paint, removed all the decals and gave it a good cleaning and then a good paint job. Like new! The relative lack of a missing original paint finish says a lot about the harshness of the factory paintwork. I took my time installing it on my late 2018 Mazda3 hatchback and it probably took about an hour, maybe not that long. Interestingly, I did NOT have to cut the bumper fascia as reported, and there is plenty of clearance. The included fishing wire is REALLY useful too! With all that has been said and done it is perfectly centred, perfectly positioned and looks very nice underneath. There is no contact with anything (exhaust etc.) and there is enough room for the exhaust system to move. You'll need to put your car on ramps (or a lift), you'll thank me for investing in a rubber isolator puller (makes the job easier) and a can of silicone spray (spray on rubber isolator holes before removing) and before of reinstallation - they literally slide back by spraying). The socket for 4 strong nuts was 3/4 inch. I only had to remove two insulators (one on each side) that the receiver mounts were supposed to run under. You CAN get the job done without taking them off, but that absolutely requires a lot of colorful metaphors. It's best to remove them altogether, install the receiver with relative ease, and reinstall the isolators once everything is bolted down. (until I used them). You'd do well to wear goggles when you goof around and some wire so you don't gouge your eyes out. The design, construction and welding of the Curt receiver was first class and despite some reviews it has a true square hole going through it, not a blind hole (good news if you have a long hitch). I would definitely buy it again and I'm glad I chose this Kurt.