recommended trailer hitch? - Subaru Outback

track29 · 07-04-2012, 12:54 AM

03 OB LLB H6. Will be hauling utility trailer full of yard waist and a 14' aluminum fishing boat. Looking for recommendation for the right aftermarket hitch to install.

jwvess00 · 07-05-2012, 09:51 PM

Hi there!

The Hidden Hitch on my '07 was easy to install and is class 3. I'd investigate that route.

98Scooby · 07-06-2012, 12:20 AM

As long as you have a Class 3 (2" receiver) option, I would go with it. It is just more convenient and versatile.

I bought a Draw-Tite Class 2( 1-1/4" receiver) because I did not have the class 3 option. I mostly chose that one because of the cost difference it had a rebate and the others didn't. I am very satisfied however, it was pretty simple to install even having to drill 2 holes. It is very discrete when not in use. Stopped by my dads house with a trailer the other day and he didn't even see the hitch he was really surprised.

I would explore Trailer hitch, hitches and bike rack (800)298-8924 that is where I bought mine. They had the wiring harness etc that you would need. Prices seemed as good as, or better than anywhere else. Since I was installing my own I wasn't worried about installation cost at a shop.

98Scooby · 07-06-2012, 12:20 AM

I have no idea why the link showed up that way...

Ben5309 · 07-06-2012, 01:30 PM

Just remember the Subie's (or at least my 05 OBW) use a fine pitch thread for the mounting bolts. My discount receiver supplier (redtrailer.com) gave me 3 fine pitch bolts and 1 normal pitch bolt. Needless to say I blew out the threads and had to file the hole out and retap it. It was an enormous pain in the ass.

Moral of the story: Double check the bolt sizes and pitches on EVERYTHING!

grossgary · 07-08-2012, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by track29

03 OB LLB H6. Will be hauling utility trailer full of yard waist and a 14' aluminum fishing boat. Looking for recommendation for the right aftermarket hitch to install.

if it's a wagon you'll have a plug for the trailer connector. if it's a sedan you'll have to hard wire it, they don't have the plug in connector.

i bought one off of ebay that goes below the muffler and it hangs down really low. not a big deal to me, but if yo'ure the type of person that doesn't like that extra "look" then you might want to avoid those.

i have a Subaru hitch on my other one (i have two H6 Subarus - OBW VD and OB Sedan) and it is much tighter to the car and looks nicer.

these era outbacks have really easy to install hitches - no drilling or anything on the ones i've installed, very simple installation actually. the 2" comments above are excellent suggestions, i would favor those as well.

StingyPaperWaffles · 07-25-2012, 01:21 PM

Well, if it's not too late, I'll throw

in. I got a Hidden Hitch from JCWhitney for my '00. It is the 1 1/4", I don't think there was a 2" option. That or it was too much more, but it would be nice for a rack or something. Anyway, super easy to install, all the holes are already there. Works great, plus adds a little protection if you scrape out in the woods or something.

As for wiring, I never found any factory plug to use. I hard wired it and ran it so I can store the wiring in the tire well where it doesn't get torn up or corroded. You do have to use an adapter since the car has separate stop and turn lamps, and your trailer likely has them combined. But, that was only $15 or $20 at Walmart.

rkrenicki · 07-31-2012, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grossgary

i have a Subaru hitch on my other one (i have two H6 Subarus - OBW VD and OB Sedan) and it is much tighter to the car and looks nicer.

Does the Original Subaru hitch (L1010LS100) fit properly on your Sedan? I have an 04 Sedan that I need to put a hitch on, but subarupartsforyou.com lists that it is for Wagon only.

Is this just because of the wiring differences, or is there some other hitch that fits on the sedan?

rkrenicki · 08-11-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultatryon

Does the Original Subaru hitch (L1010LS100) fit properly on your Sedan? I have an 04 Sedan that I need to put a hitch on, but subarupartsforyou.com lists that it is for Wagon only.

Is this just because of the wiring differences, or is there some other hitch that fits on the sedan?

Bump... anyone have the answer to this question?

07-04-2012, 12:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
track29 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: seattle Car: 2003 OB LLB Posts: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	recommended trailer hitch? 03 OB LLB H6. Will be hauling utility trailer full of yard waist and a 14' aluminum fishing boat. Looking for recommendation for the right aftermarket hitch to install.

07-05-2012, 09:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
jwvess00 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lexington, KY Car: 2007 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Posts: 86 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Hi there! The Hidden Hitch on my '07 was easy to install and is class 3. I'd investigate that route. __________________ Jay Vessels 2007 Subaru Outback L. L. Bean, 3.0R 1982 Chevrolet S-10 Sport, 2.8V6 TBI 2006 Pontiac Solstice

07-06-2012, 12:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
98Scooby Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Michigan Car: 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5L Automatic Posts: 169 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	As long as you have a Class 3 (2" receiver) option, I would go with it. It is just more convenient and versatile. I bought a Draw-Tite Class 2( 1-1/4" receiver) because I did not have the class 3 option. I mostly chose that one because of the cost difference it had a rebate and the others didn't. I am very satisfied however, it was pretty simple to install even having to drill 2 holes. It is very discrete when not in use. Stopped by my dads house with a trailer the other day and he didn't even see the hitch he was really surprised. I would explore Trailer hitch, hitches and bike rack (800)298-8924 that is where I bought mine. They had the wiring harness etc that you would need. Prices seemed as good as, or better than anywhere else. Since I was installing my own I wasn't worried about installation cost at a shop. __________________ Proud New Owner

07-06-2012, 12:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
98Scooby Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Michigan Car: 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5L Automatic Posts: 169 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have no idea why the link showed up that way... __________________ Proud New Owner

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07-06-2012, 01:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ben5309 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 30 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just remember the Subie's (or at least my 05 OBW) use a fine pitch thread for the mounting bolts. My discount receiver supplier (redtrailer.com) gave me 3 fine pitch bolts and 1 normal pitch bolt. Needless to say I blew out the threads and had to file the hole out and retap it. It was an enormous pain in the ass. Moral of the story: Double check the bolt sizes and pitches on EVERYTHING!

07-25-2012, 01:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
StingyPaperWaffles Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Car: 2000 OBW, AT, 244k miles and counting Posts: 53 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, if it's not too late, I'll throw in. I got a Hidden Hitch from JCWhitney for my '00. It is the 1 1/4", I don't think there was a 2" option. That or it was too much more, but it would be nice for a rack or something. Anyway, super easy to install, all the holes are already there. Works great, plus adds a little protection if you scrape out in the woods or something. As for wiring, I never found any factory plug to use. I hard wired it and ran it so I can store the wiring in the tire well where it doesn't get torn up or corroded. You do have to use an adapter since the car has separate stop and turn lamps, and your trailer likely has them combined. But, that was only $15 or $20 at Walmart.

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