Trailer Hitch Recommendation for Carrying a Bike Rack with a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Question

Question:

I am looking to carry 2 bikes and hear conflicting reviews on factory vs other. I am concerned about install of aftermarket affecting crumple zone per subaru. Can you provide some details? I have a 2018 subaru crosstrek. I would prefer the hitch look like it was made for the care and am willing to spend a bit more for that reason. Thoughts?

asked by: Patti L

0

Expert Reply:

For some reason Subaru likes to tell people that aftermarket trailer hitches will cause extra damage to their vehicle if it were in an accident and the fact of the matter is that is just not true. From what we have been told the extra material of an aftermarket hitch will actually help to give the vehicle more rigidity. Since you are wanting an OEM look I highly recommend the EcoHitch Stealth # 306-X7365 because it gives you a 2" receiver that you can remove in the event that you want your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek to look like it doesn't have a trailer hitch installed.

If you don't already have a bike rack then I highly recommend the Kuat NV 2.0 Base # BA22B because it is one of the nicest bike racks out there and it comes with a matte black finish for a really stylish look. This bike rack is a platform style and it secures your bikes by the wheels so it is compatible with any style of bike frame that doesn't utilize a front fender.

Additionally there are a handful of add-ons that you can use later down if you'd like. These include the bike adapter for a fat tire bike # APBK, and extra 2 trays # BA02B. One of my favorite accessories is the BackSwing # Y02483 because it allows you to have unrestricted access to the rear hatch of your Crosstrek without removing any of your bikes.

Attached are some photos of the EcoHitch installed on a Crosstrek for you to reference as well as some review videos for the NV 2.0 Base and the Swing Away Adapter.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Answer 1

The Kuat NV 2.0 2 Bike Platform Rack, #NV22G, and the Kuat NV 2.0 Base 2-Bike Platform rack, #BA22B. are both very similar bike racks. Both racks can be expanded to a 4-bike rack, #NA22G add-on for the NV 2.0 and #BA02B for the NV 2.0 Base, and both…

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Answer 2

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 3

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 4

If your old axles have a 5 bolt brake flange the assemblies like Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Left Hand - 6,000 lbs part #23-105 or Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Right Hand - 6,000 lbs part #23-106 will…

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Answer 5

I've never heard of an actual third brake light connector on a camper shell to plug in on a truck and we don't carry any parts to do that. The light generally needs to be hardwired into the truck's brake light circuit. The issue with this…

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Answer 6

The manual lockout on your Atwood 85778 surge brake coupler is there so that you can back up the trailer without the brakes locking up on you. Yes you can safely tow your trailer with the broken manual lockout, you just have to make sure you…

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Answer 7

If the trailer wheels scrubbed (dragged and scrapped the ground instead of rolling) when jack knifed then it could have thrown something out of alignment or damaged something. First, inspect the suspension. Look for any elongated holes where…

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Answer 8

A TCM double-lip grease seal number 127194 has an inner diameter of 1.274-inches and an outer diameter of 1.983-inches according to my research. The available grease seal nearest to those dimensions that we offer is part #RG06-010, which is a…

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Answer 9

The part you referenced 127194TB is a double-lip seal with an inner diameter of 1.274-inches and an outer diameter of 1.983-inches. The available seal nearest to those dimensions that we offer is part #RG06-010, which is a double-lip seal sold as a…

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Answer 10

Brake systems are not dependent on the hub bolt pattern. So you can use the Electric Trailer Brake Kit #AKEBRK-7-SA for 12 inch hub/drums or #AKEBRK-35-SA for 10 inch hub/drums. Then use #10-1-1 wire sold by the foot for your brake magnet wiring.…

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Answer 11

If you are needing the hub and drum assembly then you will want to go with the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly #8-201-5UC3-EZ but if you are just looking for an idler hub then you will want part #8-213-5UC1 instead. These come with the correct…

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Answer 12

I did some checking and the hub/drum we offer that will work for you is the part #8-430-5UC3. This uses the same bearings as the 8-415 and will be an exact fit aside from the fact this is a non-ABS setup and the 8-415 came in an ABS setup and non-ABS…

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Trailer Hitch Recommendation for Carrying a Bike Rack with a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

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