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Perfect for light-duty towing, this custom, vehicle trailer hitch receiver features fully welded, gloss powder coated steel construction. Drawbar sold separately.
Features:
Specs:
At etrailer.com we're committed to the products we sell, and to our customers. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are available via both phone and email to address your questions and concerns for the lifetime of your hitch. The technicians at etrailer perform hitch installations on a daily basis, making them a valuable resource for do-it-yourselfers. The one-on-one, personal service you'll receive comes straight from an expert in the towing and automotive field. We've installed it, we've wired it and we've towed with it, so whatever your question, we can answer it.
Average Customer Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars (123 Customer Reviews)
Perfect for light-duty towing, this custom, vehicle trailer hitch receiver features fully welded, gloss powder coated steel construction. Drawbar sold separately.
This hitch was easy to install. Only needed one special tool, a step drill bit. (I got lucky and a friend loaned me his!) The helper parts included to maneuver the bolts into the frame worked great. Only took me about an hour to complete.
This Curt trailer hitch is top quality, just like every other one I’ve purchased in the past. Likewise, e-trailer is equally awesome… both in ease of ordering, price, instructional videos and fast delivery.
However, I have to say that this hitch installation was the most difficult one I’ve ever installed. The instructions said the installation time was 20 minutes for a pro and 40 minutes for a novice. I’m a novice at this, but I have installed several trailer hitches in the past 15 years.
There were a few reasons why this installation was so difficult.
1. I was installing it on a 5-year old Lexus NX-300.
2. I was working on the ground without the SUV up on a lift (which I’ve done in the past.
3. I was installing it by myself (which I’ve also done in the past).
When I first started, I dropped the rear of the exhaust system. This was more difficult than expected , mainly because of the decorative exhaust covers on each of the tailpipes.
But, the biggest issue I encountered had nothing to do with Curt or e-trailer, but the fact that all the weld nuts in the frame were so badly rusted that none of the bolts would even come close to starting. So, I had to re-install the exhaust system and go in search of a 12mm x 1.25 tap to repair the threads.
Starting over at lowering the rear of the exhaust system, I’m already a couple hours into the installation. Tapping the threads in the weld nuts was a very tedious and time consuming process because of such limited clearance… I couldn’t use a tap holder. Instead, I was forced to use a small ignition wrench to turn the tap in and out a quarter of a turn at a time.
After that, the install went about as smoothly as it could have… considering I was by myself working on the ground. Definitely not a 40-minute project for me, but I love it now that the installation ordeal is behind me.
The trailer hitch i purchased is being used to hold a bike rack. I installed it myself. It took about two hours and at one time my wife helped me to hold it in place while I attached some bolts. I am very pleased with the hitch and have not had any problems.
this is the third hitch from Etrailer that I have installed. I am not the most mechanically inclined person, but I get by pretty well. My first two hitches went great. Good online videos on how do to. Had major issues with the installing this one. When I tried to install the first time, noted that the back two bolts appeared too short and there was not enough of the bolt sticking out for me to screw the nut to - not an issue with the front two. Since I was trying to do this by myself, I thought that it was just me so I stopped the installation. I found out that you cannot aways un-thread the fishing wire from bolt and had to pull them off a thus making them a single use product. I had to order a new set of fishing wires to try the installation again. With the new set of fishing wires and a friend to help out, we tried install the hitch again. Same issue, back bolts too short to tread the bolt on. Double checked placement and noted that there is putty/sealant right where the back bolt is. Shaved off putty/sealant and repositioned hitch, was able to threat bolt but barely. as per the attached photos, you back bolts are pretty much flush with the nut where the front bolts stick out a good 1/4 inch. Since right now I am only using the hitch for my bike rack, I feel ok with the back bolt barely being threaded through the nut, but don't feel safe using trailer that I use from time to time. Will need to drop the hitch again and replace the back bolts with ones that about about 1/4 to 1/2 inch longer. Oh, will have to also buy a new set of fishing wires for the re-install. Moral of the story - this product should of came with two different lengths of bolts, one for the front and a longer one for the back
David B.
10/3/2022
Ill have customer service reach out, I dont know if I have heard this happening to anyone else. The bolts should go at least 2 thread past the nut.
We have a Subaru Crosstrek and we like this trailer hitch because the crossbar is behind the bumper and you only see the lower receiving part of the hitch. It looks great and functions as planned.
Rick
8/18/2023
We have been using the Curt trailer hitch on a Subaru Crosstrek for over a year. We have used it with a bicycle rack, and towing a U-haul trailer. No problems and it still looks great.
The hitch receiver is much beefier than I expected. It arrived promptly with no defects. Installation is straight forward and simple. Excellent product.
Ken J.
11/27/2023
Still works and looks great. Well made product I would recommend to anyone.
You guys did a great job package the hitch, arrived in perfect condition.
I bought a Curt 12184. It fits perfectly on a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. All 4 bolt holes has to enlarged. I put 2 coats of Rustoelium paint on the exposed metal. Before installation.
Installation is fairly easy but took a couple of hours for the whole procedure
Here is a few pix of the final install.
Feel free to use them.
Jon
11/29/2021
Been using the hitch for a year now. No problems and no rust! It’s a keeper
Fabulous !! Sturdy solid construction. And fit PERFECTLY as stated without having to drop exhaust. It’s best to have helping hands at installation, my son & I completed installation in under 45 minutes
Good instructions, although it was not necessary to lower the exhaust. I used an extention with step-bit to enlarge the frame holes (1 hole per side) and C clamps to hold the hitch to a floor jack for raising the hitch into position and hold it there. About an hour install.
Exactly what I was looking for. Fit my Subaru Crosstrek perfectly and installation was painless following the video. Arrived quick and was a perfect addition for my bike rack.
It’s a great trailer hitch.
Darwin
8/27/2023
Great hitch. I use it for my mountain bike rack.
I expected a relatively easy installation that would take less than an hour. I don't have a good place where I can get under my car (a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek) to install the hitch so I went to a local mechanic who I have used a lot. I was stunned when my mechanic charged almost $300 to bolt the hitch in place in place. When I balked he shrugged and said it took much longer than an hour to install.
Really happy with this product!! I had a Curt Class 2 hitch on my last car for my bike rack, so needed to purchase another hitch as I recently bought a new car. It's sturdy, well made, and I really like that most of the hitch is hidden from view behind the bumper.
The install was straightforward, and I found the installation video posted with the Curt Class 3 hitch on etrailer's website very helpful!! Although the printed instructions that come with the hitch say to use a die grinder (which I don't have) to do the hole enlargement , the video mentions using a "rotary tool" (aka Dremel tool - which I do have, yay!). For a rotary tool to be effective though, the correct bit needs to be used. I purchased a Dremel tungsten carbide cutter bit (#9901) from my local hardware store and it did the trick! It's also very important to wear eye protection and gloves when doing this step as metal filings will be generated from the grinding. Once the holes are enlarged, and you've got the bolts in place, get someone to help lift the hitch in position and fasten the nuts and you're all set! :)
As with past orders, hitch fit perfect, delivered on time, and great customer service. Arrived today and already installed.
Good fit on 2023 Crosstrek, definitely follow the install video.
This is the third hitch I purchased from etrailer. It, like the others was delivered quickly and in good condition. I put the hitch in myself and it took me less than an hour. I didn’t need to drop the exhaust although if you have a pair exhaust hanger pliers you may be able to shave 10 minutes off the install. Of the 4 holes in the frame 2 are larger so I ground them a little and left the smaller holes alone. With the spacers the hitch is 90% hidden except for a bit at the corners. This is a 1 ¼ inch hitch I use for a bike rack and is perfect.
I have yet to attach the hitch to my car, but the main issue or concern I had was regarding the shipping process. When I received the box, it was broken and torn in three spots with the hitch poking through. I am hoping no damage occurred, but that will be determined once I try to attach it to the car. I would definitely recommend an alternate box/padding/shipping method to ensure the product remains well protected.
Easy install just like the video. These are excellent receivers curt brand
Tim
3/12/2023
Excellent fit great product easy ion install
Hitch looks great on the back of the CrossTrek. Install instructions were very helpful. This is perfect support for our bike rack.
I can't rate the trailer hitch and lighting kit yet, because the factory won't
deliver my new 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited for another six weeks. I ordered
the hitch early so it would be on hand when I receive the car. I can say that
I received everything in two days, in perfect condition, and with free delivery.
Over the years I've ordered at least 3 base plates for my toads, and 5 trailer
hitches for my towing vehicles, and the quality of all these products matched
my best expectations. That doesn't mean every installation was easy, but the
difficult installs were because of the vehicle design, not the etrailer product.
The hitches and base plates always fit, and none ever had a problem when put
into service.
Was easy to install. Was installed on wife's CrossTrek for use with bike rack. Works very well for this purpose.
Hitch was fairly simple to install without the need to drop the exhaust on the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. I just wish the paint on the hitch wasn't so chipped and scratched up on arrival.
Jenny N.
11/3/2022
When the hitches are shipped to us they are shipped stacked together in large pallets which means that at times they arrive in less than pristine condition. I recommend touching up the affected area with a rust resistant paint like Rustoleum.
Very happy with this hitch receiver for my Subaru Crosstrek. I have no plans for pulling a trailer, it's for my bike rack, but it seems stout enough for any use I might put it to.
The installation was simple and straightforward and the instructions clear and easy to understand. I don't have a die-grinder but figured I'd be able to make do with a dremel tool. In the end I just used a small chain saw file to enlarge the access hole at one place in order to be able to get the head of bolt and back up plate through. It took five minutes of effort with the file to do it.
The only thing I'd add to the instructions is the idea of taping the spacers in place (either on the frame of the car or on the receiver) to hold them while you maneuver the hitch receiver into position. With one person it's difficult to get the receiver up in position and get the spacers placed and the bolts through the holes and then the nuts started on the bolts. The most worrisome part of the whole install was the fear I'd push the bolts back up into the frame while trying to get the nuts on them - particularly the first two because you only have one hand to do that as the other is holding the receiver up in position.
If you have someone to help position and hold the receiver up and get the nuts started on the bolts it might save you some frustration but I was able to do it all myself in less than an hour.
From order to installation the whole process was as good as one could hope
Thanks
Milton
5/12/2021
No complaints! Works as it should. And it is unobtrusive when not in use - pretty invisible and not out where you might hit it with knee or shin when accessing the back of the car. It’s five stars.
I installed this on my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. It fits perfectly. Only the square hitch is visible below the bumper from the rear. It installs easily without having to drop the muffler as some models have you do. When putting it in place just start inserting it a little to the vehicles left side. Once in and over the exhaust you can shift it back right and into position. I accomplished widening the feed through holes in the car frame with just a round file. I was nervous about losing a bolt into the frame while getting the hitch into final position so I supported it on 2 additional jack stands plus aluminum shim plates until the last second. I fed the fish wires through the holes in the hitch before moving it into position onto the bolts. This was also a one man operation for me.
Daniel M.
4/13/2019
Perfect for my bike rack. The hitch does not reduce the ground clearance of the vehicle.
I haven't mounted anything to it yet, but the installation was pretty good. I didn't have to dismount the exhaust like some people say you do. Enlarging the frame hole is probably the biggest challenge. You need to not only get the rectangular spacer through but also the carriage bolt with a 1 inch head. So you really need a round hole slightly larger than an inch. I used an 1 1/8 inch Irwin step bit from Lowes. It wasn't cheap but got the job done quick. I tried using a grinding stone on the drill but that was a waste of time. With the holes drilled, the hitch was mounted in about 20 minutes. Use a torque wrench. Will be mounting a bike rack to it soon. By the way, this was installed on a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek.
Charles C.
8/26/2021
We use ours with a Thule 2 bike rack, works great.
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Joe
10/26/2023
After a year, I’m still using about once a week to carry my bike on a Kuat rack I install on the hitch. It still looks great! Finish has not rusted and it looks great! Couldn’t be happier!