Can Heat Shield Be Retained When Installing Trailer Hitch On 2015 Subaru Forester

Question

Question:

i just saw that you can install hitches over the heat shield. Your videos previously showed the removal of the heat shield or custom cutting it after hitch is installed. How can i install a Curt or Hidden Hitch without removal of the heat shield. Can you advise? PS My vehicle is a lease. i may need to remove the hitch when i return the vehicle. I would like to have minimal alterations to the car. Any advise? Thanks

asked by: Mike N

0

Expert Reply:

Per the installation instructions for the trailer hitches we offer for a 2015 Subaru Forester, the heat shield must either be removed or modified when installing a hitch.

For Draw-Tite part # 36523, the instructions say the heat shield must be trimmed or discarded after trimming when the hitch is installed. For Curt hitches like part # C13144 or part # C12100, the heat shield must be permanently removed for hitch installation. If you plan to remove the hitch when you return your leased vehicle, you may wish to remove the heat shield and re-install it when the hitch is removed.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

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Answer 1

I definitely understand being a bit overwhelmed by the amount of options in front of you, however I can definitely help with differentiating the trailer hitches for your 2019 Subaru Outback Wagon along with explaining my personal recommendation,…

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Answer 2

For all of the trailer hitches we offer for your 2018 Subaru Forester, including the Curt #C1200, the heat shield does get permanently removed. Our hitch manufacturers have determined that nothing adverse happens without the heat shield and the…

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Answer 3

I was able to go out to the warehouse and measure the Curt hitch #C13144 for you. The distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the end of the receiver tube is 2-1/2 inches.

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Answer 4

You could do that if you wish, you'll just want to make sure that the heat shield is NOT sandwiched between the hitch and the chassis of the vehicle at any point. We frequently hear from folks with concerns about the vehicle being harmed because…

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Answer 5

I wasn't able to find your order notes so I am not sure what hitch you have, but the Curt part #C13144 would be the one for your 2014 Subaru Forester that would stick out the most. From the center of it's hitch pin hole to the furthest point…

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Answer 6

I can absolutely confirm for you that your 2017 Subaru Forester XT with the Touring trim is compatible with the etrailer hitch you mentioned: - etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98839 I verified with the manufacturer for you that this hitch is a fit…

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Answer 7

Curt RV Bumper 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver Item #E-100 comes with 2 HFN 1213 hex flange nuts for the two 1/2 - 13 x 5-1/2 carriage bolts also included with the hitch.

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Answer 8

Yes, the Curt hitch would be more difficult to install. On our website we have a installation difficulty rating, from 1 to 10, on hitch receivers. The etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2", part…

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Answer 9

Exactly! Both hitches are very similar in design and construction. That is usually what happens when hitches are custom-fit for your vehicle. The main difference is the finish. I personally prefer the matte finish that #e98839 has. We have them on…

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Answer 10

Curt requires the stabilizing/support strap, #18050, in order to alleviate the leveraging affect that a non-trailer load places on a hitch. At Curt they like to use the example of carrying a gallon of milk. Think of the strain that would be put on…

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Answer 11

You have an excellent eye! Those are actually drain holes on the side of the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98839. The reason for the holes - which do not have to be plugged - is that the hitch is dipped in a liquid coating for rust prevention,…

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Answer 12

It looks like the carriage bolt spacers that come with the Curt Hitch part #C13144 are larger than the ones that come with the Draw Tite hitch part #75876 and that is why the Curt hitch requires enlarging the holes on the vehicle to get the bolts to…

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Can Heat Shield Be Retained When Installing Trailer Hitch On 2015 Subaru Forester

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