Best Trailer Hitches For Subaru Crosstrek

‍5 Best Trailer Hitches For Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is a versatile, lightweight SUV with excellent off-road driving capabilities. It also has sneaky power and provides decent towing and payload capacity. This SUV can truly do a little bit of everything.

As a Subaru Crosstrek driver, knowing I have the right trailer hitch installed gives me peace of mind. After testing nearly every product on the market, I found that these are the best trailer hitches for my vehicle.

1. Curt Hitch 12100 Class 2 Trailer Hitch

I recently bought the Curt 12100 Class 2 Trailer Hitch, and I'm really pleased with its strength and support. Curt hitches are incredibly well-built and made from a strong steel alloy that ensures maximum durability.

Installation was also relatively easy - all the hardware was included in the package, and I had no difficulty attaching it to my Crosstrek. The hitch offers a max weight of 3500 lbs, with a tongue weight rating of 350 lbs - enough for carrying even heavier trailers.

It also features an open-back receiver to quickly hook up the trailer wiring or ball mount without removing the whole assembly. All in all, this is a great trailer hitch for anyone who regularly tows trailers of any size.

2. Draw-Tite 76084 Class 3 Trailer Hitch

The Draw-Tite 76084 Class 3 Trailer Hitch was surprisingly easy to install, and it provides everything you'd expect from a heavy-duty option like this.

It's rated for a tongue weight of 525 lbs and a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs gross trailer weight. With its 2" receiver, this hitch fits my vehicle perfectly and securely holds whatever I am towing behind it.

The durable black powder coat finish gives this trailer hitch an extra layer of protection against rain, snow, and dirt while giving it a more professional look. The design is aggressive enough to

appear impressive without looking overly bulky or intrusive on my vehicle's exterior.

For added convenience, there are three mounting holes conveniently located on both sides so we can attach it to the rear bumper with additional accessories like a sway control bar, bike rack, or cargo carrier if needed. Other components like safety chain loops or a tow hook are sold separately.

3. EcoHitch Stealth Class III Trailer Hitch

The EcoHitch Stealth Class III Trailer Hitch is designed to provide superior strength, allowing it to support up to 3,500 lbs easily. This trailer hitch has been engineered specifically to reduce air drag while driving.

The low-profile design ensures that your vehicle remains aerodynamic when attached, making it ideal for drivers looking to save gas mileage without sacrificing payload capacity. It has a 2" x 2" receiver opening with a tongue weight capacity of 525 pounds.

I recommend this hitch for Crosstrek owners who want easy installation and fast removal. It also has solid ground clearance, so it’s a good choice for off-road driving. The bolt-on installation is a standout feature too.

Avoid this product when using larger trailer safety chains and a tow hook. It won’t fit as easily, and dealing with these accessories can become a hassle.

4. Curt 11276 Class 1 Trailer Hitch

Installing the Curt 11276 Class 1 Trailer Hitch on my Crosstrek was a breeze. The instructions were clear, the installation process was straightforward, and I had everything up and running in under 30 minutes.

I was pleasantly surprised with the sturdiness of this hitch too. Constructed from steel tubing with a black powder coat finish, it is strong enough to handle up to 200 pounds of tongue weight and 2,000 pounds trailer weight capacity.

It also has 5/8" diameter mounting holes for added stability when hauling heavier loads. Plus, the low profile design allowed plenty of ground clearance without impairing access to my trunk or rear seats.

Curt trailer hitches also have an anti-rattle device. Installed between the receiver tube and ball mount assembly, it provides a secure fit by reducing any play between components whenever something is connected - like bike racks or cargo carriers - eliminating any annoying rattle noise along our journey.

5. Reese Towpower Multi-Fit Trailer Hitch

The Reese Towpower Multi-Fit Trailer Hitch is designed to fit most vehicles with 2-inch receivers and offers up to 5,000 to 8,000 lbs of towing capacity. After using it for a few months now, I'm impressed with its durability.

The first feature that stood out to me was the sturdy construction. It's constructed from heavy-duty steel that can withstand plenty of wear and tear without bending or breaking.

The weight rating is more than enough for most jobs. It won't have any trouble hauling any equipment or light machinery I need regularly.

The installation process went off without a hitch (no pun intended). The instructions were clear and easy to follow. There weren't any technical challenges when attaching it securely to my Subaru's receiver.

How to Choose The Best Subaru Crosstrek Trailer Hitch

Subaru Crosstrek owners who want to meet their towing needs should get the right trailer hitch. With so many models on the market, figuring out which is best can be a tall task. Here are some factors to consider to help narrow down the choices.

Class

First and foremost, think about what type of towing will be done with this vehicle. Every trailer hitch is rated as Class I, II, or III, indicating how much it can tow and the maximum weight capacity.

We should choose the best hitch for our personal needs based on the class type and the expected towing requirements. However, the Crosstrek is not a heavy-duty towing vehicle, so it likely won’t make a huge difference.

Receiver Compatibility

Next, focus on finding a compatible receiver that matches the sizing requirements of the Subaru Crosstrek. The good thing about this vehicle is how similar the hitch requirements are despite the different models.

There are slight changes with each year and new release, but I found most options are either sold to match each Crosstrek type or have a universally fitting design. This can vary depending on other features like safety chains, ground clearance, etc.

Material

I also like to pay attention to what the trailer hitch is made of. The materials used will impact the weight capacity and overall performance of my Crosstrek’s hitch. Most options use steel as this offers good strength and higher load ratings.

Steel can withstand rain, snow, and other weather conditions for longer too. However, other materials, such as aluminum or stainless steel, have lower prices for the budget-minded user.

Durability

The trailer hitch's ability to handle intense wear and tear over time without rusting or eroding away easily is critical. Steel alloys will generally provide more strength and extended durability.

Installation

Last but not least is installation. No matter how strong and durable the link between car & cargo might be, unfavorable results can occur if it’s inefficiently installed. Aim for simplicity and find an easy-to-install hitch.

Types Of Trailer Hitches

Depending on the size and weight of the load, several types of trailer hitches are available to suit different applications. Here's a look at these three primary classes.

Class I

This is the most basic and economical type of trailer hitch in terms of design and cost. It consists of one solid piece that easily fits onto a vehicle's bumper or frame.

Class I trailer hitches can be used for light-duty applications. Typically, this hitch type provides a maximum tow capacity between 1,000- 2,000 pounds.

Class II

Class II provides additional strength to safely tow up to 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight (GTW) for larger loads like enclosed trailers. It’s possible to use this hitch type on a Crosstrek, providing excellent towing support.

This class incorporates two receiver tubes, allowing for greater flexibility in adjusting between tow vehicles and heavier loads than Class I receivers without sacrificing stability due to their dual tube construction.

Class III

If the plan is to haul heavy-duty recreational vehicles, fifth-wheel campers, or large enclosed cargo trailers, then you'll need a Class III hitch. They can do some serious towing and haul and pull up to 5,000 pounds.

With this level of strength comes higher costs, but that shouldn't deter anyone looking for maximum security when pulling their more substantial loads across long distances. This type of receiver hitch has amazing strength and reliability.

How Much Weight Can A Subaru Crosstrek Hitch Tow?

All Subaru Crosstrek models generally provide the same maximum towing capacity regardless of the year. There is a slight difference depending on the model type used, as shown below in this chart.

Expect better horsepower and towing capacity from traditional models and reduced capacity for the hybrid model.

How To Install A Subaru Crosstrek Trailer Hitch

Installing a trailer hitch on my new Subaru Crosstrek might seem overwhelming. I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be. After going through the process, here are some tips and tricks for correctly installing a trailer hitch on this SUV.

Read Manufacturer Instructions

Every hitch kit will come with detailed step-by-step installation instructions. Because each hitch is different, this is the best place to get started before trying anything else.

It should also list the materials and tools to install this hitch easily.

Gather All Required Tools

Next, gather all the required tools mentioned in the instructions. Some of the most notable tools I’ve used in the past to install a trailer hitch are

• Lubricant
• C-clamp
• Torque wrench
• Wheel chocks
• Power drill
• Socket set
• Ratchet
• Ratchet extension

This is only a short list of some tools that work well. If there are no holes drilled for the hitch, the process requires more steps and equipment.

Prepare The SUV

After we have our tools, it’s time to prepare the Crosstrek for installation. Place wheel chocks under the tires and lift the vehicle (if necessary).

Perform a routine inspection to determine what is required too. For example, some models come with holes already drilled in the frame for hitch receiver installation. If so, this saves us a step, and we won’t need to drill new ones.

Attach The Hitch

Next, we can finally attach the hitch. Lift it up and into position to attach it directly to the vehicle's frame. Having two sets of hands makes it much easier, especially for heavier models.

Tighten the bolts as much as possible without overdoing them. Connect the wiring harness for the brake lights and turn signals and close everything up.

Test The Hitch

A few test runs with the hitch are also recommended before trying to haul anything too heavy. This is just to confirm the installation was done correctly and that we won’t have any issues while gradually increasing the weight it handles.