Towing Setup for a 2017 Subaru Outback Wagon

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Question:

I purchased this vehicle in large part because I wanted to buy a small camper after retirement to go to all the national parks. I have the factory installed hitch. I didnt know about hitch weight limits - now I know its 200 lbs. People have told me that I can go over that amount if the load is balanced correctly, but Im very skeptical. Can you give me advice re this and anything that you think would be beneficial for towing a camper several times a year, including in the mountains? Love my Subaru, so I will purchase the right trailer for it when I figure out what that is!

asked by: Ann

0

Expert Reply:

According to my research, your 2017 Subaru Outback Wagon has a max towing capacity of 1,000 lbs if the trailer does not have brakes or 2,700 lbs if the trailer does have brakes. You can improve the towing performance/efficiency of your vehicle with a transmission cooler like part # D13503 but you cannot increase it's capacity. The tongue weight rating of 200 lbs is correct but I cannot recommend you go over this.

In order to set your Outback up for towing a trailer with brakes you will need a trailer wiring harness, brake controller, ball mount, and hitch ball. For a trailer wiring harness, I recommend using the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness part # 118467 with the Universal Wiring Harness w/ ModuLite part # 22551 as this will give you a 7-way trailer connector which is required for a trailer with brakes.

For a brake controller, I recommend the Tekonsha Voyager Trailer Brake Controller part # 39510 with the Brake Control Plug-In Harness part # 20127 as this option is easy to use and has integrated safeguards equipped to protect both the vehicle and trailer. In order to choose the correct ball mount and hitch ball you will want to take a look at the attached help article and then out selection which is linked.

expert reply by: Conner L

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Rob S.

5/16/2020

I know this is an older thread but where are you seeing the trailer brake requirement to get to 2700 pounds? I am setting up my 2017 Outback to tow a small camper and I am not finding this requirement anywhere else.

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Chris R.

5/19/2020

I pulled up a copy of the owner's manual for your 2017 Subaru Outback and it does list a 2,700 pound towing capacity as long as the trailer is equipped with brakes. If the trailer doesn't have brakes the capacity is limited to 1,000 pounds. You can verify this information in your copy of the manual.

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Answer 1

The tool list for the etrailer hitch part #e98847 includes a 17/32 inch drill bit, a rotary tool/carbide bit, and tin snips related to the hole enlargement and fascia trimming required.

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Answer 2

Normally trailer coupler height is around 17 inches, from the ground to the bottom of the coupler, and most hitch manufacturers design their hitches to work with a ball mount that will end up very close to this measurement. I am including a link to…

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Answer 3

That is correct for your 2017 Subaru Outback we only carry 4-way trailer connectors that are a direct fit. However, once you install the 4-way it can be converted to a 7-way, if that's what your trailer needs. Of the 4-way connectors for your…

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Answer 4

We have three trailer wiring options for your 2018 Subaru Forester. We have the Curt option #C56040, the T-One option (my favorite) #118467, and the Hopkins #HM11143865. The reason I favor and recommend the T-One kit part #118467 is because the…

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Answer 5

The Curt Echo Trailer Brake Controller #C51180 won't itself provide any charge to your trailer mounted battery, but you certainly can still have a 12V power wire ran from the 7-Way to the battery for this purpose with the Echo in place. The Echo…

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Answer 6

The Curt Echo #C51180 does require a 30 amp fuse, so that will definitely fix that issue. This is used fairly often and this does happen, but I cannot say if this will be bad for the vehicle or not. However, if a Subaru dealer said not to do it and…

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Answer 7

We do have what you need to add a 7-way trailer connector to your 2018 Subaru Outback Wagon but there isn't a specific custom harness that fits. If right now the Outback has no trailer wiring at all the easiest way to add a 7-way is to start with…

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Answer 8

The Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller #C51180 is not compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. There is a Manual Override Button #C83HR that is wireless and operates with a CR2016 battery. The nice thing about the Curt Echo is once you…

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Answer 9

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 10

Both the ettrailer.com #e98847 and Draw-Tite #75673 Class III Trailer Hitches that you mentioned are great options for your 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon, however I do recommend the etrailer.com model for a couple of reasons. These are both custom…

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Answer 11

For your 2018 Subaru Outback Wagon we have the Draw Tite hitch part #75673 as a confirmed fit and the hitch I would recommend. It has a great price, the best capacities, and unlike the Curt hitch it does not require a stabilizer strap when carrying a…

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Answer 12

We do have everything you need for your 2018 Subaru Outback to tow a small trailer as well as use your bike rack, and while I'm not sure what towing package you're referencing specifically, I can tell you that the hitch, wiring, and ball…

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Towing Setup for a 2017 Subaru Outback Wagon

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