Plug and Play Trailer Wiring Harness for a 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5 Premium

Question:

I ask because someone installed wiring for me and did it this way. They ran this wire under the car, just dangling, with a lot of slack. Soon it was dragging on the road. Im pretty appalled at this install, and coupled with another incident at this place - I do not want them to touch my car again, but simply do it myself. If this is not the best of the products, please advise what would be better/easier. If I do need to run to battery - any clue where it would run? All such things on this car are under protective plates as they should be. Nothing in your videos etc show that this would be required, maybe the factory harness includes this power? Thanks

asked by: Steve M

Expert Reply:

It sounds like the shop installed a hardwire harness with a powered converter that would require a direct connection to the vehicle battery. Harness # 118467 does not require a connection to the battery because the power wire is part of the factory wiring this harness plugs into.

The wire you are talking about under the car should have been secured with loom clamps, or even zip ties. Perhaps this shop needs to take a look at the FAQ article I wrote which I have linked to the right on different ways to route the power wire.

If you go with harness # 118467 you will not have to worry about routing any power wires. I have included a link to a video showing a typical installation. Keep in mind that Subaru sometimes likes to play the game of hide the factory connection point. In other words, it is not always where it is supposed to be.

If it is not in the location specified in the instructions and video then there are other places you can look. Some customers have found it behind the wall on the drivers side cargo area across from the tail light. If not located there or where the instructions say, it may be on the other side of the vehicle. So you would basically follow the same instructions except on the opposite side of the vehicle.

In some instances the location was found behind a passenger side kick panel near the front of the vehicle. Finding it may require the removal of additional interior panels.

expert reply by: Michael H