Hi All,
So I decided to install the Subaru OEM trailer hitch the other week and since I haven't seen a thread that details everything I decided to take a bunch of photos and provide some commentary on a couple things.
First off, the Subaru installation instructions are pretty decent. However, I felt the electrical part lacked a little clarity. As of this writing the latest revision of the instructions are rev. 4 dated 4/17/2020. The latest instruction can be found on Subaru's Technical Information System in the Online Reference section. Type in the trailer hitch kit part number L101SAN000 in the "Keywords/Tool #" section. Here is a direct link to the rev. 4 (4/17/2020) instructions.
UPDATED: rev. 6 dated 8/23/2022 is the latest instructions available and can be found here.
Also, there appears to be two different part numbers for the Wilderness model: L101SAN610 & L101SAN620. Not sure what the difference between the two are.
I have posted all the photos from the installation in the url below.
Below are some comments from the install.
When you print the PDF installation cut out template ensure you have print scaling turned off. Below is a picture of all the pieces put together.
![Image]()
Here are the pieces that come with the OEM trailer hitch.
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
In the instructions it talks about removing the side foam pieces next to the tool tray. The little plastic clips that hold the foam in place are a pain to remove and like to fly all over the place. I lost one and for the life of me was not able to find it. It did not break and I didn't hear it hit the head liner so it may have popped out and gone somewhere in the garage. I really don't know if you need to remove these as you can get to most everything.
Here is a picture of the clips and where the side foam pieces are located
![Image]()
![Image]()
Removing the tail lights is pretty straight forward and the instructions are good. You just need to remove the covers, remove the bolts holding the lights in and then pull straight backwards.
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
When removing the bumper, in addition to the clips mentioned in the instructions, if you have the mud flaps you need to remove them and the clips associated with them. Keep track of the clips and where they go as some are slightly different in size/shape.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Again, the instructions are pretty good in describing how to remove the bumper. It is helpful to have a second hand helping as you remove the bumper so it doesn't wiggle around and scratch the paint of the side panel. Also, there is an electrical connector on the driver's side that needs to be disconnected to free the bumper.
![Image]()
Removing the bumper beam is pretty straight forward and just three bolts/nuts on each side.
![Image]()
![Image]()
The next step is removal of the mufflers. Initially, I was curious if I could get away without removing the mufflers and unfortunately you do need to remove the mufflers to get access to one or two of the holes where the trailer hitch bracket bolts to.
There are metal tabs that stick out where the bumper cover clips to. Be careful of these as you go under the car; I hit my head on one of them.
![Image]()
The mufflers were surprisingly a pain to remove from the exhaust hangers. You need to use some penetrating oil (PB Blaster or similar) in between the rubber mounts and metal hangers to remove the mufflers. This took a little bit of time to get the penetrating oil in there and the mufflers off. It helps to have a cardboard box or something under the muffler to support the muffler so it doesn't swing down and hit you as you remove it from the first mount.
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
So I decided to install the Subaru OEM trailer hitch the other week and since I haven't seen a thread that details everything I decided to take a bunch of photos and provide some commentary on a couple things.
First off, the Subaru installation instructions are pretty decent. However, I felt the electrical part lacked a little clarity. As of this writing the latest revision of the instructions are rev. 4 dated 4/17/2020. The latest instruction can be found on Subaru's Technical Information System in the Online Reference section. Type in the trailer hitch kit part number L101SAN000 in the "Keywords/Tool #" section. Here is a direct link to the rev. 4 (4/17/2020) instructions.
UPDATED: rev. 6 dated 8/23/2022 is the latest instructions available and can be found here.
Also, there appears to be two different part numbers for the Wilderness model: L101SAN610 & L101SAN620. Not sure what the difference between the two are.
I have posted all the photos from the installation in the url below.
Below are some comments from the install.
When you print the PDF installation cut out template ensure you have print scaling turned off. Below is a picture of all the pieces put together.
Here are the pieces that come with the OEM trailer hitch.
In the instructions it talks about removing the side foam pieces next to the tool tray. The little plastic clips that hold the foam in place are a pain to remove and like to fly all over the place. I lost one and for the life of me was not able to find it. It did not break and I didn't hear it hit the head liner so it may have popped out and gone somewhere in the garage. I really don't know if you need to remove these as you can get to most everything.
Here is a picture of the clips and where the side foam pieces are located
Removing the tail lights is pretty straight forward and the instructions are good. You just need to remove the covers, remove the bolts holding the lights in and then pull straight backwards.
When removing the bumper, in addition to the clips mentioned in the instructions, if you have the mud flaps you need to remove them and the clips associated with them. Keep track of the clips and where they go as some are slightly different in size/shape.
Again, the instructions are pretty good in describing how to remove the bumper. It is helpful to have a second hand helping as you remove the bumper so it doesn't wiggle around and scratch the paint of the side panel. Also, there is an electrical connector on the driver's side that needs to be disconnected to free the bumper.
Removing the bumper beam is pretty straight forward and just three bolts/nuts on each side.
The next step is removal of the mufflers. Initially, I was curious if I could get away without removing the mufflers and unfortunately you do need to remove the mufflers to get access to one or two of the holes where the trailer hitch bracket bolts to.
There are metal tabs that stick out where the bumper cover clips to. Be careful of these as you go under the car; I hit my head on one of them.
The mufflers were surprisingly a pain to remove from the exhaust hangers. You need to use some penetrating oil (PB Blaster or similar) in between the rubber mounts and metal hangers to remove the mufflers. This took a little bit of time to get the penetrating oil in there and the mufflers off. It helps to have a cardboard box or something under the muffler to support the muffler so it doesn't swing down and hit you as you remove it from the first mount.
