Subaru wagon owner questions

[robkanraft]

Do you have a trailer hitch?
Is it receiver style and if so what size?

[Roger]

Rob, ended up using U-Haul to install one on mine since getting it done locally was a bit difficult considering my location:

http://store.uhaul.com/hitches.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is what ended up on mine.


Should be a starting point. Only problem I've had since was a bit of problem with wiring to the rear lights. Nothing to keep me from going back to them.

[robkanraft]

Hey Roger, I thought I remembered yours as a 2" receiver. Our Joplin U-Haul says only the smaller size is available. That's why I was double checking before I committed. I guess it's not a big deal with small trailers, but my collection of receivers and my receiver bike rack is a bomber steel one with 2" tubing.

[Roger]

Got the hitch for the trailer which you have seen which requires a 2" ball. Once you get there, then it's all about trailer weight and load.

Bought a canoe trailer which requires a two-inch ball for the hitch. Trailer weighs more than the load would be. Pulls easy enough when I pulled it back home from the mechanic's shop.

Had to rent a 5x8 open trailer from UHaul to carry a mattress/springs set plus a piece of furniture. The trailer had a fold-down tailgate that must have added 100#. Uhaul approved the trailer for the car. A lot depends on engine size, etc.

Bet Cowper can put in some thoughts about this.

[iYak]

We recently installed a 2" hitch on our 2005 Subaru Outback so we could add a hitch rack for our bikes. We had it installed at California Customs here in Fort Smith . The price was reasonable(I think it was around $185), but they said it needed an adapter for the lights that was going to cost an extra $80 so we opted out of that part and just went with the hitch without the lights (will add that later if we need it).

We got a Thule bike carrier with easy lever tilts so you can access the hatch http://www.thule.com/en/US/Products/Bik ... 21574.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We haven't pulled anything with it, and probably never will, so I can't comment on towing...

[Sparky]

We have a 2006 outback and I had a Haul Rite hitch installed. I live in Springfield, MO and we have a company that specializes in hitches. You can only get the smaller square receiver, but there are adapters to upsize it. I bought a 17' trailer and built a box to put my 10' sotar and a IK-1 plus my paddling gear. I have 2 OC ww canoes that go on top of the box, it all fits within the draft of the Subaru. 24.5 mpg on my last trip to Wyoming. Didn't have any problem pulling moutain passes out west. The trailer pulled smoothly, you don't really feel when driving except on rough roads. Light weight trailers bounce easily. We bought the Subaru to deter the feeding of the Dodge Dakota truck we own. I can't say enough good about the Subaru. If you want to see a picture of the Suby and trailer just send me an e-mail b.glover@att.net and I'll send a pic. I work for the public school system and can't ship pictures at work.

Brent

[Clif]

http://www.reeseprod.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Part Number: 80303

[Chester]

Drove a new redesigned Outback yesterday. Quite, neatly put together, a good deal with the ACA discount. But, the new roof rack system is a luuuuser to me.

[Cowper]

Sorry to hear that Chester. I was hoping for a diesel version soon - but I don't want to have to drive it off the lot and into a weld shop for major roof work.

DeBo's subie has a 1.25" square hitch installed, the smaller size. Had it put on by the dealer prior to purchase, and had him do the lights too. The wiring job is within the capabilities of most who have ever changed their own oil and replaced a headlight, but I didn't want any lip or discussion about warrantee issues if the car had any electrical problems later. I use a 2" ball on all my trailers; just to standardize the size.

The main thing to know is your load ratings. Using an adapter or a larger ball doesn't mean I'm OK to tow ANY trailer with a 2" ball. Know the load rating of each of your components (car GCWR, hitch, adapters, ball) and the lightest one governs.

There is some slack in Debo's system which creates minor clanks when going over bumps. Not a technical concern, but annoying. One of these days I'll find something to fill the 1/16" gap around the tongue that inserts into the receiver.

Some adapters, some balls like the 2" ball with a shank (bolt) small enough for the 1.25" tongue, are hard to find at Wal Mart or AutoZone. Most RV shops, and probably U-haul, will have a much larger selection.

[DMG]

I installed hitches and trailer wiring on about a million cars during several years as a hitch Pro at U-Haul. It's been a while so I'm not familiar with the new Subarus, but if they have lamp outage sensors, I wouldn't take a chance powering trailer lights off the existing circuit. Instead, whether you do it yourself or have someone do it for you, make sure you use a power module similar to this one:

http://store.uhaul.com/Wiring__lights/M ... wer_Module

It doesn't need to be the U-Haul module, just one that is powered directly from the battery or main bus. It should have it's own fuse socket. You still have to tap into the lighting circuit to trigger the box but it draws very little current. If you power the trailer lights using the car's circuit, the extra current draw could burn up your lamp outage sensor costing you big bucks! At least that's how it was ten or so years ago. I'd use one of these power modules even if my vehicle didn't have lamp outage sensors just for GP. It provides another layer of protection to your car's wiring if your trailer has a short.

I hope my outdated and irrelevant knowledge helps.

~Dave

[Roger]

Rob, not to hijack the thread :twisted:, but after Chester's comment, I thought I would add this:

http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/1695314" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[robkanraft]

10-4 Roger, had my new-to-me 07 at the dealer yesterday and browsed around the new cars and I too, thought the new design roof and racks looked suspect. The brand new sticker price assures that it won't be an issue with me!

Dave thanks on the heads up power module, looks like I'll be using Joplin U-Haul and before I do I'll ask that specific question. It cost me a bunch just to get a spare key, I don't want to blow no stinkin sensor!

And Cowper, on my bike rack, there is a threaded plate that screws against the inside of the receiver that quiets the slop and banging sounds. My rack is a Buyers Welding and I think it included a mechanical drawing that if I still have I can scan for you. I find that noise quite unnerving with my regular receiver and ball hitch when pulling the trailer. Almost sounds and feels like something bad is happening. Other than having to relearn how to drive a stick, I think the rest of the car is going to work out fine. rob

[Cowper]

I hope my outdated and irrelevant knowledge helps.

Your knowledge is more up-to-date than mine! I hadn't run into one of the "modern" light outage sensors yet, so I didn't know about that potential concern. How I long for the days of simple DC circuits, with no air bags exploding in your face it you cross the wrong wires...

[okieboater]

Yup, remember those days when you could do your own tune ups....

plugs, points and condenser and then I got enough cash to get my very own timing light!!!!!

[iYak]

There is some slack in Debo's system which creates minor clanks when going over bumps. Not a technical concern, but annoying. One of these days I'll find something to fill the 1/16" gap around the tongue that inserts into the receiver.

I asked the guy about this when I got our hitch installed and he says that he wraps duck tape around the part that slips into the receiver so it has a nice tight fit.