Recommended Cargo Carrier Solution for 1-1/4 Inch Hitch on 2020 Subaru Forester

Question:

The 1.25 inch hitch on my forester was installed at the dealership upon delivery. As you can see by the photo the installation severely affected the bumper. Now we are looking into getting a hitch mount cargo carrier and finding the lack of options for this size hitch. What should I do? Is there an aftermarket 2 inch hitch that can function properly in the bumper cutout and still have a cargo carrier installed? Help!

asked by: Jan

Expert Reply:

To retain your current hitch, you could use the # 63153 Reese 24x60 carrier in the adapter you have installed already, but because the extender moves the load of the carrier and what's carried upon it further away from the hitch, using the adapter would reduce the hitch tongue weight capacity by 50%, possibly down to 100 lbs if the hitch is a Class I (the hitch tongue weight capacity should be listed on it's ID sticker).

Because of that reduction, you'd be best off eliminating the adapter and using a carrier that's designed for a 1-1/4 inch hitch like the Reese # 63155. This carrier weighs 44 pounds which would leave you with 156 pounds for cargo.

All of the aftermarket hitches we offer such as the Curt # C47HR would place the receiver tube just below the original underside of the bumper, as shown in the provided photo.

expert reply by: Mike L