Which Hitch for 2019 Subaru Forester Requires Least Vehicle Modification to Install

Question:

The Curt install says to elongate a hole in the frame, where the draw-tite looks to get around this by fishing the bolts through an unused hole farther back towards the front of the car. Couldnt this method be used on the Curt hitch as well? Or is the problem Curt using 1/2inch hardware and Drawtite using 7/16? Ive liked Curt products in the past and had one on our old Rav, but I dont want to cut the frame at all. The heat shield trim is fine by me and easy to do, but I prefer not doing the other.

asked by: Charles

Expert Reply:

There's a really good chance you could install the Curt hitch # C13409 the same way that the Draw Tite part # 76271 installs but we have to recommend you stick with the manufacturers recommended method so that you don't void the warranty of the hitch and also we have never tested it a different way so we can't guarantee it would work any other way.

Since you don't want to enlarge the frame hole (I don't blame you), and the Draw Tite hitch is easily just as good as the Curt in every other way I would recommend for you the # 76271.

The heat shield still does need to be trimmed like you mentioned but there is no frame modification. I attached an install video for this hitch for you to check out as well on a 2019 Forester just like yours.

expert reply by: Jameson C