Curt or Draw Tite Trailer Hitch Recommendation for 2018 Subaru Forester

Question:

Hi, I have a few questions about your hitches. I have a 2018 Subaru Forester. There are two hitches I am interested in. The video on the Drawtite 2” says to take off the muffle, modify the heat shield and replace it and then widen the center mounting hole to fish in the bolt and metal plate. The Curt 2” says to and support the muffler and pipe with a strap and take off the heat shield and not replace it and to widen the 4th hole leaving the mounting holes untouched. Some of the blog comments suggest widening a hole inside the hatch compartment to fish parts in and not widening any of the holes below. I am wondering which is the best approach. I am a little concerned about leaving off the heat shield because Subaru must feel that there is a heat problem caused by the muffler. I will have to back the Forester up onto car ramps so I am going to do that first to see if there is enough room to work under the car. If it feels to restrictive I may bring your hitch parts to my local mechanic of just have U-Haul do the job with their hitch. Is one method easier to do with restricted space. Thanks

asked by: Owen C

Expert Reply:

There are several hitches we offer that require modifying or removing the heat sheild for the exhaust. It has never been an issue for those vehicles that the heat sheild was removed. In a worst case scenario you might feel the floor in that area of your vehicle get slightly warmer but even that has not been reported.

Between the Draw Tite and the Curt that you mentioned the winner is the Draw Tite part # 75876 in my opinion. Reason being that if you were to ever need to carry a bike rack this hitch does not require you to use a stabilizer strap like the Curt # C13144 does. The strap normally used is part # 18050 which I attached an install video for to show you how it normally is used.

expert reply by: Jameson C