Gsir08 Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Basically wondering where to get a hitch from, and where it is best mounted to and how its mounted up to the back of a 97 Outback. I only want a small hitch I'm only going to be pulling a tiny snowmobile trailer with a snowmobile on it. prolly max like 750lbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 You can try and save a few dollars buying a used one. Or get a new one. At $100-$140 tops new you can't really go wrong getting a new one. It's nice having all the bolts and capture nuts in good condition. Ebay has a bunch of options. You can post in the parts wanted forum here, someone may have one. I bought one from a board member just a couple months ago. The new one I bought a few months ago goes below the muffler and kind of hangs down low, I'm not a huge fan but doesn't really matter that much and I have much bigger things to worry about too. But the other one I got appears to go above the muffler and has a tighter fit. Lots of outback specific hitch discussions and pictures at subaruoutback.org too. hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 outbacks have wiring connectors behind the driver side tail light (behind a 4" access panel), if you buy the correct "hitch wiring harness" it is a simple plug in, no cutting or splicing required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 you could try u-haul as they are the nations largest retailer of custom hitches. they carry the best major brands, valley, curt, draw-tite. you should be able to get a fair price, avg 125 bucks for the hitch, its easy to put on with your own tools, bolts down to the tow loops under the car. if you go with their install and labor and lights you will be pushing 250 bucks if you are shopping around, the part numbers from the manufacturer should be the same as what u-haul lists. what you will find is a class 2 2500 lb with 1/14 inch receiver for your subaru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 The factory hithc and I believe the U-haul versions both bolt on VERY easily. It has a notch that goes up over the exhaust. 2 bolts up through holes in the bottom of the bumper into captive nuts (you can't see them, but they're up in the hole, long 10mm x 1.5 bolts) And 2 more bolts/nuts/plates that clamp onto the recovery loops. * note that a small notch must be cut (hacksaw) in the platic bumper skirt to clear the receiver. As for wiring.......you could try to buy the proper adapter that just plugs in. Hard to get....spendy... Or it is really simple to wire up a generic adapter. IMO, it is best to run the wiring so the adapter box is inside the rear compartment, below left tailight. That way the connector doesn't get corroded, and you don't have any openings in the lower part of the car for water/mud/cold air to get inside. Run the trailer lighting loom from there, into the jack storage compartment, and just keep it bundled up in there. Pull it out when you need it and just flop it out of the tailgate while you are towing. Never had problems with wire pinchings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StructEngineer Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 (edited) No it's not always a simple bolt on job, especially when the captive nuts on the bumper beam dont perfectly line up with the holes in the frame rail it becomes a huge PITA. Edited December 22, 2009 by StructEngineer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 (edited) i don't know where you are, but ....... http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/1521466508.html Edited December 22, 2009 by johnceggleston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I got Blu's hidden hitch off ebay for way less then 100 bucks. The total time for install took 40 minutes. I had to drill two holes, but they were really easy to do with a real electric drill. Aside from it being a bit heavy it is a one man operation. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I got Blu's hidden hitch off ebay for way less then 100 bucks. The total time for install took 40 minutes. I had to drill two holes, but they were really easy to do with a real electric drill. Aside from it being a bit heavy it is a one man operation. nipper +1 excellent description of exactly what i've done a few times. it's very easy - but very awkward due to the size/weight. having a helper this job would be a cinch, but i've always done it by myself with no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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