Will Class III Aftermarket Trailer Hitch Increase Towing Capacity for 2018 Subaru Outback Wagon
Question:
I have three questions: 1. I have a factory installed hitch on my 2018 outback, what do I need to do to upgrade to your class III hitch? 2. Will upgrading to a class III hitch actually increase the towing capacity? If so, to what? 3. What trailer hitch do you recommend?
asked by: Steve
Expert Reply:
Great questions!
To upgrade the current OEM trailer hitch an aftermarket Class III trailer hitch with a 2" receiver you'll first need to remove the OEM hitch from your 2018 Subaru Outback Wagon. You should be able to follow the instructions for any of the aftermarket hitches, just being sure that you are mindful of the OEM hitch and working around it. The specific details for the various hitches can be seen in the attached install videos.
Upgrading to a Class III hitch will give you a stronger trailer hitch, but since your Outback Wagon has a lower towing capacity than the trailer hitches it won't actually increase your weight capacity. The biggest benefit is that the larger 2" receiver opens up the opportunity for a wider variety of accessories that are compatible. According to page 8-23 of the online version of your owner's manual you can tow a max trailer weight of 1,000 lbs without trailer brakes or 2,700 lbs with trailer brakes. I recommend verifying this in your copy of the owner's manual.
I recommend going with the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver # 306-X7601 because it has the hidden crosstube just like your OEM receiver and then it really hugs the bumper compared to the other trailer hitches with the hidden crosstubes so the cutout for the receiver will be hidden a bit better.
If you're looking for something a little more cost-effective then I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13410 because it has better welds and a thicker powder coat than most other options, which means it will last longer. The receiver for this trailer hitch sits a little lower so if the cutout for your OEM receiver is larger than 4" x 4-1/2" then you will definitely be able to see it.
I have attached photos of both the EcoHitch and the Curt trailer hitches installed on a 2018 Outback Wagon so you can see how much cleaner the EcoHitch looks.
I'd imagine you already have wiring for your trailer light functions, like part # 118467, so to complete a towing setup you also need a ball mount kit. I recommend checking out Ball Mount Kit # 989900 because it includes two ball mounts, one with a 3/4” rise/2” drop and the other with a 2-3/4” rise/4” drop, a 1-7/8” hitch ball, a 2” hitch ball, and a pin and clip. You will want to refer to the attached ball mount article to ensure that this kit is correct for your towing application.
Let me know if you have any other questions or if you're looking for any other accessories and I'd be happy to help you out further!
Products Referenced in This Question
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Powered Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- 1-7/8 Inch Ball
- 2 Inch Ball
- Two Balls
- Steel Ball
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Drop - 4 Inch
- Rise - 1 Inch
- Rise - 3 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Ball Mount Kit
- etrailer
more information >
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 600 lbs TW
- 4000 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- Concealed Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 525 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- Concealed Cross Tube
- EcoHitch
more information >
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