Subaru Forester Wired and Hitched

[Raz]

We just bought a 2012 Subaru Forester. We spent the weekend preparing it for towing. This is how we did it. While there is an OEM hitch, we went the etrailer route.

**********

Code*** Item*** Quantity*** Price/Ea.*** Total
13147
** Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"*** 1*** $143.95*** $143.95
118467
** T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4 Pole Trailer Connector - Subaru Forester and Outback Wagon*** 1*** $34.95*** $34.95
30717
*** Adapter 4 Pole to 7 Pole Vehicle End Trailer Connector*** 1*** $16.95*** $16.95
PK12711U
*** Mounting Bracket for Pollak 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector - Vehicle End*** 1*** $3.49*** $3.49
10-2-1
*** Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire - per Foot*** 30*** $1.00*** $30.00
12-1-1
*** 12 Gauge Black Primary Wire - per foot*** 20*** $0.35*** $7.00
9506P
*** In-Line Circuit Breaker - 20 Amp - Perpendicular Mount Bracket*** 1*** $3.39*** $3.39
38630
*** 30 amp. In-Line Circuit Breaker - Perpendicular Mount Bracket*** 1*** $3.39*** $3.39
459075-1
*** Wire Loom, 1/2" Diameter (per Foot)*** 20*** $0.34*** $6.80

Total:*** $249.92


Etrailer provides very good instructions and a video on how to install the hitch. For an older vehicle that is most likely the best approach. Having a new vehicle where nothing is rusty or aged, we chose to remove the mufflers and the rear bumper to gain access to the mounting points. For this approach the OEM hitch installation instructions are useful in removing the bumper.

http://subaruonlineparts.com/pdf/L101SSC000.pd

[Raz]

We took about 2 hours to do the job. This included several trips into the house to find tools, reviewing the instructions, and to make pizza dough for dinner.

[Raz]

The wiring is where things get difficult. Subaru provides a lighting connector inside, behind the drivers side rear wheel. Plug and play. The etrailer instructions are very good. The charging line and the brake wiring are the headache. We spent quite a bit of time planning the route. To get through the fire wall and into the passenger compartment we used a rubber grommet on the side wall that has the hood latch cable going through it (along with a large wire bundle you don't want to go near). To gain access to the other side of the plug the plastic wheel well behind the front tire (4 push pins) had to be partially removed. The wires were then fed through the grommet and guided up into the engine compartment.

[Raz]

The brake controller was mounted on the fuse access door. Rather than using the brake light switch wire by the pedal, which is hard to see yet alone tap in to, we picked up the brake switch signal going into the lighting module (red wire).

[Raz]

The door sill covers were pulled and wires were routed in the door sills and around the rear seats.

[Raz]

We mounted the 7 way plug with hose clamps to the hitch. Those wires were fed through a plug in the floor and everything was connected inside the car.

[Raz]

The wiring took about 6 hours. This is not a good beginners project. Lots of tight spaces and plastic snaps, push pins, ect. that are easily broken.

Plugged the trailer in and everything works. Now all we have to do is wait for the end of the break in period before we can tow. Raz

[Eddie Longest]

Great post with lots of good information and great pictures. I have a 2011 Outback which I mounted a Curt hitch and four pin adapter from E-trailer. With the information you provided it will make it easy for me to order parts and use as a guide to finish the mounting of the 7 pin set up. I really like your solution to mounting the square wiring jack to the round hitch bar, that's the point where I had decided just to stay with a four pin plug.
Eddie

[Thomas G.]

Good summary Raz.

[Tim Wood]

Nice job and I'm sure you will love the Forester. So did you trade in the Nissan ?

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Tim Wood

Nice job and I'm sure you will love the Forester. So did you trade in the Nissan ?

No, we have it listed on craigslist.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Eddie Longest

Great post with lots of good information and great pictures. I have a 2011 Outback which I mounted a Curt hitch and four pin adapter from E-trailer. With the information you provided it will make it easy for me to order parts and use as a guide to finish the mounting of the 7 pin set up. I really like your solution to mounting the square wiring jack to the round hitch bar, that's the point where I had decided just to stay with a four pin plug.
Eddie

Good, I am glad it is useful. I should add that I ordered 30 ft of the 10 ga twin lead as I had intended to wire the brake controller with it but used something else. For just the charging line you will need less. Raz

[MyronL]

Wow, Raz --- great stuff! Thanks for the heads up.
Myron