Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer
installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Plug-N-Tow (R) Wiring Connectors provide a no-hassle, quick and easy way to wire your Subaru Outback Wagon.
Subaru Outback connection point is located by removing a 3" x 3" interior access panel behind the driver's side tail lamp housing.
Subaru Forester connection point is located on the passenger side in the spare tire compartment under the floor in the rear of the Subaru Outback Wagon.
Can be used with 5-pole, 6-pole or 7-pole adapters.
Similar to Tow Ready # 118461
Hopkins # 43855, TAP # 33855
Video of Plug-N-Tow (R) Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4 Pole Trailer Connector
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer
installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Today on our 2003 Subaru Forester we're going to install the Hopkins 4-Pole Wiring Kit, part number 33855. First we'll need to access the rear cargo area. Then we're going to open up the access to the spare tire. Alright, next on the passenger's side we're going to go ahead and remove the spare tire tools and there's a fastener here to remove this panel. This exposes us to the rear trailer connector that we're looking for. So this application is being wrapped in blue tape.
We'll go ahead and remove the blue tape exposing the connector so we can plug our new Hopkins Connector directly into it. Now we can take our Hopkins Connector that will match the manufacturers' identically, plug directly into it. Make sure you plug it in firmly enough that they lock together. Now we'll take the wire and converter box, route them over to the body cavity panel here on the passenger's side. Then we can take the other piece of our new 4-pole connector and plug directly into it.
I'll take my 4-pole connector and route it in behind the paneling with the manufacturer's leaving my excess in with the spare tire in the spare tire well. Now let's go ahead and reinstall our trim panel. Now that will complete the install of our new Hopkins 4-Pole Wiring Connector. Now we'll go ahead and show you how to use it. When you need your new 4-pole connector you simply take it out of the spare tire well, run it out across the rear cargo door threshold as the weather stripping is thick enough not to harm the wire.
However, we do recommend to stay away from the latch as pinching in the latch can damage the wire. Then we'll simply close the cargo door on the wire and you can use it with your hitch or accessory. Then once you're finished using your new 4-pole connector we'll simply reopen the door, roll up our wire and store it down in the spare tire cargo well. And that does it for the install of our Hopkins 4-Pole Wiring Kit, part number 33855 on our 2003 Subaru Forester.
2003 Subaru Outback Wagon Owners Who Purchased This Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring Also Bought...
Average Customer Rating: 
4.9 out of 5 stars (17 Customer Reviews)
by: Drew04/21/2011
Is this review helpful?
I replaced a dead tail light connector on my 2005 Subaru Outback Wagon. A local car shop did the wiring several years ago, and when getting the boat ready this season, I finally figured out that the tail light connector had died. Wish I had known about this Subaru-specific plug-n-play option when I had the original hitch wiring installed. Insanely easy to install/replace. I just followed the instructions someone posted here to find the connector in the cargo area. I had no idea it existed, and I'll bet the people who installed the hitch/wiring didn't either. Once you have the plug int he cargo area, you can finish in just a few minutes. I'm going to run the wiring down to my already-existing connector mounted by the hitch receiver and connect there to make everything clean, but you don't need to, and can be up and running in a few minutes.12133
by: john M.12/12/2012
Is this review helpful?
ordered on saturday and received on tuesday. heavy duty and only took 10 minutes to hook up. This was not the first time I have ordered from etrailer. Have been pleased with product and service on all my orders.61264
by: GW05/14/2012
Is this review helpful?
We chose etailer.com mainly because of the GREAT installation videos they provide, for LOTS of vehicles. This time we just got a trailer electrical hookup, which was easy to attach - we'll definitely go back for more more major items. Service and delivery are great. 40468
by: Katherine H.05/05/2012
Is this review helpful?
etrailer helped me identify my trailer wiring harness perfectly. Set up took about 20 minutes. My order was handled professionally and shipped quickly--a five star experience!39493
by: Edwin H.01/26/2012
Is this review helpful?
I ordered a trailer wiring system for my 1996 Subaru and it came very quickly, and plugged right into the receptacle. I was happy with the service and product. I would order from e-trailer again.30403
by: Ralph L11/27/2011
Is this review helpful?
Perfect fit for my 2003 Subaru Forester. Installed in minutes.27426
by: Peter V09/05/2011
Is this review helpful?
Outstanding!! Fastest shipping I have ever seen! (and inexpensive also) Saved me hours of work and at least a hundred dollars! Would recommend for any trailer hitch needs. Outstanding in every way. Thank you.23583
by: Chris S08/24/2011
Is this review helpful?
Product arrived in record time. Installed it in 20 minutes using the videos on the web site. All email questions were answered in a timely fashion. Very satisfied with the product and the dealer. Thanks...22649
by: Tony08/19/2011
Is this review helpful?
One of the beat online buying experiencess yet...quick. shipping, good feedback, product was exactly as described and I installed it without a "hitch". Thanks etrailer! 22181
by: D. Siebert08/15/2011
Is this review helpful?
Excellent service and a quality product. Thank you!21972
by: Steve D07/01/2011
Is this review helpful?
Easy to install. I like the fact that the four pole extension to the trailer can be removed easily. 18384
by: Bryan G06/29/2011
Is this review helpful?
Plug-N Tow worked great. Package arrived sooner than anticipated. 18165
by: tom wilson06/07/2011
Is this review helpful?
Just flawless, Thanks....Product solved all my issues.16369
by: Randy08/27/2008
Is this review helpful?
A snap to install Quick and easy- ONCE you find the wiring harness plug. My Forester had the plug hidden behind a flap directly under the passenger side taillamp, not in front of the spare on the passenger side as shown in the photo.1227
by: BIGBX101/04/2008
Is this review helpful?
Very easy install on Forester 5 minute install time,follow the instructions included and you will be ready to roll.552
by: Doug R.04/28/2012
Is this review helpful?
Mice ate my trailer wires and I didn't check for shorts before connecting the wire harness, which shorted out. I had gotten it from a Subaru dealer and it was supposedly "genuine Subaru parts" with the logo and all. I cut it open and guess what? The circuit board says "Hopkins". Why pay big bucks at the dealer? You won't do better than getting the same thing for less than 1/2 at etrailer.com!38690
by: Richard01/10/2011
Is this review helpful?
Trailer Wiring Connector for a 2009 Subaru Outback 1. Required tools: a. Phillips head screwdriver b. Flat head screwdriver c. Needle-nosed pliers d. Knife e. Small prybar 2. Remove the left side storage panel door, exposing the auxiliary equipment plug and storage compartment. 3. Remove the spare tire floor hatch. 4. Remove the foam storage tray covering the spare tire. 5. Remove the left floor panel by pulling up with a handhold near the tailgate and another between the two white plastic squares. The floor panel is held in place by two hidden bayonet pin clips that protrude into two white plastic squares. 6. Remove the left foam floor panel by pulling out a single pin clip in the non-foam area near the tailgate and pulling out the white plastic squares, which have bayonet pin clips on their bottoms. 7. Search the small crack between the floor and the interior side panel for the wiring harness. The wire may appear as a loop with a pink tape. 8. The connector is taped to the main harness wire just below a wire clip. Pull on the loop until you stretch the blue tape and release the connector. The crack is too narrow to insert your fingers and there is no access from above. Try pulling on the loop using the end of a screw driver. Pull toward the front of the car. If you feel uneasy about applying too much force, then use the following steps. a. Pry off the small plastic cover in the center of the rear left cargo ring, exposing a Phillips head screw. b. Remove the cargo ring screw. Pull on the cargo ring, it should pop out. c. Using a small prybar pull the interior panel out enough to get a slant view of the connector which should be located just to the right of the cargo ring mounting bracket. d. Cut the blue tape and pull the connector loop out through the crack at the bottom of the interior side panel. If you cannot cut the tape then you must partially remove the interior side panel. e. Pry up the left end of the liftgate threshold. It is held in place by two hidden bayonet pin clips about 2 and 4 inches from the left end. f. Temporarily block up the end of the threshold with a wedge. g. Using the prybar and screwdriver, pull back the edge of the interior side panel enough to expose the connector. Wedge the side panel open. h. Reach in with the knife and cut the blue tape. You may have to duct tape the knife to a stick to reach the connector. Pull the connector loop out through the crack at the bottom of the interior side panel. i. Refit the interior side panel and threshold. The hard part is over. 9. Apply a small amount of electrical grease to the male end of the connector to help prevent corrosion and push the connector ends together. 10. If not attached, grease and attach the trailer plug and wiring harness to the converter box. 11. Mount the converter box using the supplied double-sided tape, screw or zip-ties. 12. Route the wiring harness along the crack to the back of the vehicle. 13. Check the harness by plugging into a properly wired trailer. Test all functions with the engine running. 14. Replace the foam floor panel, the left floor panel and the left side storage panel door. 15. Replace the foam storage tray covering the spare tire and the spare tire floor hatch. 5299
Ask the Experts about this Hopkins Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
Do you have a question about this Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring?
Subaru Outback Wagon Accessories
Info for this part was:
At etrailer.com we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
