Believe it or not, a Subaru
trailer hitch doesn’t come standard with the Outback
station wagon, the Forester
SUV, or any of the make’s popular offerings—but you can add one as an accessory or install an aftermarket hitch. Beloved by hikers, cat moms, and crunchy families everywhere, Subaru is the unofficial automaker for people who really love camping. While its popular SUVs and sturdy sedans aren’t built for serious off-road action, every Subaru comes standard with all-wheel drive and plenty of cargo space for your tent, marshmallows, hiking poles, and everything else you need for a perfect weekend in nature.
So it might be surprising to learn that no Subaru comes with a standard trailer hitch—meaning that you’ll need to install one yourself if you want to tow a pop-up camper, a boat, or (perhaps) a U-Haul.
Jerry
, the super app
for car owners, is here to show you how to pick a trailer hitch for your Subaru Outback or other model. We’ll also give you pointers for upgrading your car insurance
before you hit the road! Which Subarus come with a trailer hitch?
No Subaru models come standard with a trailer hitch. And don’t look for a Subaru tow package, either—if you want to haul a trailer behind your Subaru, you’ll need to add a hitch as an accessory.
You’ll want to purchase two separate accessories, actually: 1) a trailer hitch and 2) a ball mount. These two components work together to allow your Subaru to haul any load you put behind it—as long as it’s within your towing capacity, that is.
The exact price and towing capacity of these optional Subaru trailer hitch accessories varies from model to model. For instance, the hitch available for a Forester is rated for up to 1,500 lbs, while the hitch approved for the beefy Ascent SUV
can haul up to 5,000 lbs. Take a look at the table below to see the towing capacity and hitch options available for your model. | | | | |
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2022 Outback (Base, Premium, Limited, Touring) | | | | |
2022 Outback (Onyx XT, Limited XT, Touring XT) | | | | |
| | $690 (incl. fascia panel) | | |
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Can you put a hitch on a Subaru Impreza?
You might notice that the table above only includes Subaru’s super-popular SUVs. If you purchase a Subaru Impreza
or one of the automaker’s other sedan or hatchback models, you won’t be able to add a trailer hitch as an accessory. In theory, a Subaru Impreza can tow at least 1,433 pounds
(more if whatever you’re hauling has its own braking system). But the manufacturer doesn’t recommend towing with this model, so you’re better off not risking it. How to pick a Subaru trailer hitch
If you already own a Subaru and want to install a towing hitch on your existing vehicle, it’s important to pick the right one for your model. There are a few different types of trailer hitch to choose from:
Receiver hitch: The most common type of hitch. These Subaru hitches attach to your vehicle’s frame and meet rigorous safety standards. The optional hitch you can choose when you buy a Subaru is a receiver hitch.
Front-mounted hitch: Want to carry stuff in front of your Subaru? Consider adding a hitch that mounts to the front of the vehicle’s frame instead of the back.
Bumper hitch: A bumper hitch won’t carry as much weight because it lacks the security of a hitch mounted directly on the Subaru’s frame. On the other hand, it has the advantage of adjustability.
Genuine Subaru trailer hitches vs. aftermarket hitches for Subaru
The next question you’ll need to ask yourself is: do you want to install a genuine Subaru trailer hitch
or an aftermarket hitch? The obvious benefit of going aftermarket is savings—you’ll be able to get a trailer hitch for as much as $300 less than if you purchased an OEM trailer hitch from Subaru. Whether you’re going to Amazon
or U-Haul
, it’s pretty easy to find trailer hitches to fit your Subaru. On the other hand, if you stick to OEM parts for your Subaru towing hitch, it’s a lot easier to be sure that the hitch you buy will fit your Subaru. Intro to trailer classes
No matter where you decide to shop for your trailer hitch, it’s important to make sure that you buy a hitch for the appropriate trailer class. Trailers are organized into five classes by weight:
Class II: 2,000 to 3,500 lbs
Class III: 3,500 to 8,000 lbs
Class IV: 5,000 to 12,000 lbs
Class V: 10,000 to 25,000 lbs
The best Subaru Crosstrek trailer hitch
As Subaru’s smallest SUV, the Crosstrek needs the smallest type of trailer hitch available. Crosstrek
owners should look for a Class I or II Subaru trailer hitch. With that hitch, you’re going to be able to haul anything up to 1,500 pounds, which includes your small tent camper or a cargo tray. The best Subaru Forester trailer hitch
If you own a Subaru Forester, you’re going to be looking for a Class I or II Subaru trailer hitch. Like the Crosstrek, the Forester has a maximum towing capacity of just 1,500 pounds. With that hitch, you should be able to tow a bike rack, a small pop-up camper, or a jet ski: standard Forester owner stuff.
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Start earning nowThe best Subaru Outback trailer hitch
If you drive an Outback, you should be able to go up to a Class II or III Subaru trailer hitch. You’ll have a little more towing power, especially if your Outback’s outfitted with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine available above the Limited trim. With a Class II hitch, you’ll be able to haul anything that a Forester or Crosstrek could tow, as well as boats and small campers.
The best Subaru Ascent trailer hitch
The real king of Subaru towing is the three-row Ascent, which has a 5,000-lb towing capacity in almost every configuration. For this SUV, you can invest in a Class III Subaru trailer hitch, which unlocks the ability to tow utility trailers (including U-Hauls), medium-sized campers, and more.
How to install a trailer hitch on a Subaru
For any Subaru model, there are two ways to install a trailer hitch. If you’ve got a well-equipped toolbox, a taste for automotive DIY, and a little time, you can install it yourself—or, if you want to be sure it’s done right, you can go to a professional.
For a professional installation, head to your local Subaru dealer, the garage that usually does your Subaru maintenance, or even to U-Haul. You’ll typically pay between $100 and $250 for labor, plus the cost of the trailer hitch equipment. It all comes out to an average installation cost between $300 and $600, with variations based on model, location, and parts.
If you want to install your Subaru trailer hitch yourself, start by checking your toolkit. You’ll need:
A ratchet and ratchet extension
Work gloves, safety glasses, and a work light
Your Subaru receiver hitch should come with detailed instructions for installation. Follow those directions carefully, and keep the following tips in mind:
If possible, put the vehicle on jack stands for easier access to the rear of the vehicle where the hitch will be attached.
Keep in mind that towing hardware can be very heavy, with some parts weighing 50 pounds—recruit an assistant if you can!
Be sure to torque all bolts to the specifications given in your instructions.
How to upgrade your Subaru insurance
And just like that, you’re ready to haul wherever your heart takes you! Before you hit the road, take an extra minute to upgrade your Subaru insurance with help from Jerry
. If you’ve ever shopped for car insurance the old-fashioned way—i.e. filling out a ton of forms and then languishing on hold with your insurance company—this might not sound like a lot of fun. But with Jerry, finding the lowest rates on the coverage you need takes just 45 seconds, and you won’t have to compromise your vehicle’s protections to find an affordable policy.
“After signing up with Jerry
, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.
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