etrailer | How to Install: Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver on your 2021 Subaru Forester

Click for more info and reviews of this CURT Trailer Hitch: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc... Check out some similar Trailer Hitch options: https://www.etrailer.com/fitguide.htm Search for other popular Subaru Forester parts and accessories: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle/2021... https://www.etrailer.com Don’t forget to subscribe!    / etrailertv   Full transcript: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-c... Hey everybody, Ryan here at etrailer. Today on our 2021 Subaru Forester, we're gonna be showing you how to install the Curt class 3 trailer hitch receiver. But before we do that, why don't we check it out and make sure that this is something that's gonna work for you. So right off the bat, I will say, I really do like this hitch. I've installed all of them for the Forester that we carry here at etrailer with the exception of this one until today. And I will say, I think it looks the best. It just really does do a great job of winning in and really giving us a factory type appearance. So what I mean by that is really just how the hitch is actually made. For the most part, this is gonna be completely hidden. And really you're just gonna see the receiver tube opening and the safety chain plates and the plates are what I really think separate this one from a lot of the others. There's a lot of times on these completely hidden hitches, when you can see the receiver tube, the safety chains kinda make or break it. And with these being tucked a little bit further back and kinda angled up, I really think it just flows and looks really nice. But with that said, the appearance is this one of the important things as far as hitcher is concerned. The other thing that comes on mind is you're gonna want a hitch that's really versatile. I see these Foresters being used to do pretty much a little bit of everything. They're pulling a trailer or use an accessories like a bike rack or cargo carrier. So if it we're me, not only what I want something to look good, but function just as well. And this will do just that. Not only for towing, but also for our accessories. It's gonna give us some really good clearance, not only around clearance, because it does sit up nice and tight against the bottom of our bumper, but also that bumper clearance. So the end of the receiver tube is going to be just about flush with the edge of our bumper here. And that's not something you always see, but these concealed type hitches, hitches that are mostly hidden and that's really important, especially for a Subaru. A lot of people use folding type accessories, and because where the hitch sits, that's gonna give us that space that we need to take those folding accessories and put them in that upright position without having to worry about them hitting the back of our Subaru. With this hitch being a class 3, it is gonna give us that 2-inch by 2-inch receiver tube opening. It is a very common size, ton of different accessories will work with it. This is going to have that standard 5/8 pin hole. Now keep in mind, a pin and clip does not come included, but if you need one, you can grab it right here at etrailer. Safety chain openings are back a little ways so they're gonna give us plenty of clearance. That way, it doesn't interfere with our pin and clip. And they're gonna be large enough to use just about any size hook that you might have. A hitch is gonna give us some good weight capacities. As far as the maximum gross tongue weight rating goes, that's gonna be 350 pounds. That's gonna be the amount of weight that's pushing down on the hitch. So that's a pretty high number and you should be able to use pretty much any size bike rack or cargo carrier that you'd want to, for example. As far as the maximum gross trailer weight rating goes, that's gonna be 3,500 pounds and that's gonna be the amount of weight that is pulling from the hitch. So it is the weight of your trailer plus anything that you might have on it. I do always like to suggest, never a bad idea just to grab your owner's manual. That way, you can make sure your Forester can pull that much weight safely. With that said, if you do plan on pulling the trailer, you are gonna want the lights to work on it. That way you're safe and legal. And if that's your particular situation, recommend checking off the trailer wiring that way you can accomplish that. Now let's go ahead, just grab a couple of measurements. That way, we can try to figure out which hitch mounted accessories are gonna work out best. You go from the ground to the top inside edge of the receiver tube opening, that's gonna be right at 15 inches. So if you plan on pulling a trailer, chances are pretty good. You can use a ball mount that has a straight shank or one with a very small rise in it. If we go from the center of the hitch pin hole to the edge of our rear bumper, that's gonna be right at