Recommended Trailer Hitch and Brake Controller for a 2023 Subaru Outback Wagon

Question:

Good morning! I have a 2023 Subaru Outback Limited, and were contemplating getting a pop-up camper to tow. I was looking at what would be needed as a tow package, and got a bit stuck on the brakes. I thought the CURT wireless brake controller might work, however, it looks like it needs a seven lead connector, but the harnesses I saw for the Outback were only four-pin? Any help would be REALLY appreciated. We were going to go look at campers t his weekend, so Id love to know if its even feasible to tow one with the car or not before that. Thank you very much! Dan

asked by: Daniel R

Expert Reply:

Hey Daniel great question! Just as a preface, in most places within the United States, when the trailer total capacity is over 3000 lbs, trailer brakes are required.

With that being said, to get your Outback fitted to have brakes you're going to first need to add a 4 pole # C56040. This normally is fine for small utility trailers that just need lights because this harness does not provide power for braking . From here you're going to need to add a 7-way with # ETBC7. This will tee off of the 4 pole mentioned above and will now allow you to have trailer braking capabilities.

Trailer brakes are controlled by a brake controller like the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195, so you're going to need that as well.

The last thing you'd need if you didn't already have one, is a trailer hitch # DT73RR. Most people usually already have this, but if you don't you're definitely going to need it. This hitch has a max weight capacity of 4,500 lbs so it should be plenty sufficient to handle the pop up camper you're wanting to tow.