To see if this custom-fit item will work for you please tell us what vehicle you'll use it with.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.
Installing a trailer hitch can often be a daunting task, but the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver makes it a breeze with its custom fit design, tailored specifically for vehicles like the Subaru Crosstrek. This ensures a precise fit every time, allowing for a straightforward bolt-on installation without any special tools or vehicle modifications required. Dive into your next project with the confidence that every part will line up perfectly, saving you time and effort.
No one wants a bulky hitch ruining the aesthetics of their vehicle. The Curt features a concealed cross tube design, which means that the only visible part after installation is the receiver itself. This not only keeps your vehicle looking sleek and stylish but also maintains better ground clearance. It's perfect for those who want the functionality of a hitch without compromising the clean lines of their Crosstrek.
For those who need a reliable hitch for light-duty tasks, the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver delivers with a solid Class II rating. Capable of handling up to 3,500 lbs of gross trailer weight and 350 lbs of tongue weight, this hitch is ready for lightweight towing applications, from carrying bike racks to small trailers. Enjoy the freedom to take your outdoor equipment wherever you go without worrying about hitch capacity.
Durability is front and center with this hitch, as it's crafted from high-quality steel and features a gloss black powder coat finish. This not only offers a polished look but also provides superior resistance to rust and corrosion, ensuring that your hitch will stand up to the elements season after season. It's peace of mind for those long road trips or just a drive in inclement weather.
Nothing is worse than getting halfway through a project and realizing you're missing parts. The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver comes with a complete hardware kit and installation instructions to get the job done right – the first time. It's tailored for DIY enthusiasts who appreciate having everything they need right at their fingertips, minimizing trips to the hardware store.
With a 1-1/4" receiver opening, this hitch is perfect for a wide range of accessories and carriers. Whether you're mounting a bike rack for a weekend ride or using a cargo carrier for extra storage, the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver provides a versatile solution for all your on-the-road needs. Keep your vehicle's interior clear and your gear secure with this adaptable hitch option.
Tech Tip
No drilling through vehicle frame required for installation , Access holes may need to be enlarged by filing or rotary tool
Hitch arrived well packed, with all hardware. Powder coating feels smooth and substantial. Install videos showed exactly what I needed to do. The tip to just cut a notch in the hole to fit the backing plate was brilliant. Fishing wires worked perfectly and everything bolted up without a ...hitch.
Good product and installation was straightforward even working alone. I made some simple supports underneath the hitch on the center and the driver’s side, started alignment and attachment on the passenger side, and found the video installation instructions to be spot-on.
The delivery was timely, however the trailer hitch was unexpectedly covered with grease and consequently made the home garage installation more time consuming.
This is the second trailer hitch that I've bought. Easy to install reliable on the road. Good stuff.
This hitch was easy to install. Only needed one special tool, a step drill bit. (I got lucky and a friend loaned me his!) The helper parts included to maneuver the bolts into the frame worked great. Only took me about an hour to complete.
Good instructions, although it was not necessary to lower the exhaust. I used an extention with step-bit to enlarge the frame holes (1 hole per side) and C clamps to hold the hitch to a floor jack for raising the hitch into position and hold it there. About an hour install.
Mike
8/31/2024
GREAT! I have only used it once though, and that was for extricating my Crosstrek from very deep snow. The tow-eyelets that come with the car would have been severely damaged or ripped off with the amount of force necessary to get the car out. The hitch didnt complain one bit. Very strong!
Fast shipping, well packaged. Installation very easy.
You guys did a great job package the hitch, arrived in perfect condition.
I bought a Curt 12184. It fits perfectly on a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. All 4 bolt holes has to enlarged. I put 2 coats of Rustoelium paint on the exposed metal. Before installation.
Installation is fairly easy but took a couple of hours for the whole procedure
Here is a few pix of the final install.
Feel free to use them.
Jon
11/29/2021
Been using the hitch for a year now. No problems and no rust! It’s a keeper
Thank you e trailer
I've bought three hitches from etrailer and all three worked perfectly, installed as instructed/promised, and have been working pefrectly
Was easy to install. Was installed on wife's CrossTrek for use with bike rack. Works very well for this purpose.
James
6/3/2024
Still in use. No problems encountered.
Very easy to install. Worked great on my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. One of the mounting holes on either side needed to be widened to get your hardware through but not a big problem. Definitely easier to mount with two people. The hitch tucks nicely under the bumper and just the receiver sticks out. Highly recommended!
Really happy with this product!! I had a Curt Class 2 hitch on my last car for my bike rack, so needed to purchase another hitch as I recently bought a new car. It's sturdy, well made, and I really like that most of the hitch is hidden from view behind the bumper.
The install was straightforward, and I found the installation video posted with the Curt Class 3 hitch on etrailer's website very helpful!! Although the printed instructions that come with the hitch say to use a die grinder (which I don't have) to do the hole enlargement , the video mentions using a "rotary tool" (aka Dremel tool - which I do have, yay!). For a rotary tool to be effective though, the correct bit needs to be used. I purchased a Dremel tungsten carbide cutter bit (#9901) from my local hardware store and it did the trick! It's also very important to wear eye protection and gloves when doing this step as metal filings will be generated from the grinding. Once the holes are enlarged, and you've got the bolts in place, get someone to help lift the hitch in position and fasten the nuts and you're all set! :)
This is the third hitch I purchased from etrailer. It, like the others was delivered quickly and in good condition. I put the hitch in myself and it took me less than an hour. I didn’t need to drop the exhaust although if you have a pair exhaust hanger pliers you may be able to shave 10 minutes off the install. Of the 4 holes in the frame 2 are larger so I ground them a little and left the smaller holes alone. With the spacers the hitch is 90% hidden except for a bit at the corners. This is a 1 ¼ inch hitch I use for a bike rack and is perfect.
Exactly what I was looking for. Fit my Subaru Crosstrek perfectly and installation was painless following the video. Arrived quick and was a perfect addition for my bike rack.
This Curt trailer hitch is top quality, just like every other one I’ve purchased in the past. Likewise, e-trailer is equally awesome… both in ease of ordering, price, instructional videos and fast delivery.
However, I have to say that this hitch installation was the most difficult one I’ve ever installed. The instructions said the installation time was 20 minutes for a pro and 40 minutes for a novice. I’m a novice at this, but I have installed several trailer hitches in the past 15 years.
There were a few reasons why this installation was so difficult.
1. I was installing it on a 5-year old Lexus NX-300.
2. I was working on the ground without the SUV up on a lift (which I’ve done in the past.
3. I was installing it by myself (which I’ve also done in the past).
When I first started, I dropped the rear of the exhaust system. This was more difficult than expected , mainly because of the decorative exhaust covers on each of the tailpipes.
But, the biggest issue I encountered had nothing to do with Curt or e-trailer, but the fact that all the weld nuts in the frame were so badly rusted that none of the bolts would even come close to starting. So, I had to re-install the exhaust system and go in search of a 12mm x 1.25 tap to repair the threads.
Starting over at lowering the rear of the exhaust system, I’m already a couple hours into the installation. Tapping the threads in the weld nuts was a very tedious and time consuming process because of such limited clearance… I couldn’t use a tap holder. Instead, I was forced to use a small ignition wrench to turn the tap in and out a quarter of a turn at a time.
After that, the install went about as smoothly as it could have… considering I was by myself working on the ground. Definitely not a 40-minute project for me, but I love it now that the installation ordeal is behind me.
The trailer hitch i purchased is being used to hold a bike rack. I installed it myself. It took about two hours and at one time my wife helped me to hold it in place while I attached some bolts. I am very pleased with the hitch and have not had any problems.
The product was great, and the instructional video was great and I followed it to the letter. The only issue is with UPS which absolutely destroyed the box the hitch came in. It was opened, taped and held together with tape. I am glad you secured all the parts with tape to the hitch, otherwise they would have be lost. There were holes everywhere in the box and there was more tape than cardboard. Thanks again.
Incredible people! Hitch is nice too, just what daughter needed
The hitch receiver is much beefier than I expected. It arrived promptly with no defects. Installation is straight forward and simple. Excellent product.
Ken J.
11/27/2023
Still works and looks great. Well made product I would recommend to anyone.
We have a Subaru Crosstrek and we like this trailer hitch because the crossbar is behind the bumper and you only see the lower receiving part of the hitch. It looks great and functions as planned.
Rick
8/18/2023
We have been using the Curt trailer hitch on a Subaru Crosstrek for over a year. We have used it with a bicycle rack, and towing a U-haul trailer. No problems and it still looks great.
E-Trailer was stellar. The produce was well described on their website; ordering was easy; and delivery was very timely. Thanks
Very happy with this hitch receiver for my Subaru Crosstrek. I have no plans for pulling a trailer, it's for my bike rack, but it seems stout enough for any use I might put it to.
The installation was simple and straightforward and the instructions clear and easy to understand. I don't have a die-grinder but figured I'd be able to make do with a dremel tool. In the end I just used a small chain saw file to enlarge the access hole at one place in order to be able to get the head of bolt and back up plate through. It took five minutes of effort with the file to do it.
The only thing I'd add to the instructions is the idea of taping the spacers in place (either on the frame of the car or on the receiver) to hold them while you maneuver the hitch receiver into position. With one person it's difficult to get the receiver up in position and get the spacers placed and the bolts through the holes and then the nuts started on the bolts. The most worrisome part of the whole install was the fear I'd push the bolts back up into the frame while trying to get the nuts on them - particularly the first two because you only have one hand to do that as the other is holding the receiver up in position.
If you have someone to help position and hold the receiver up and get the nuts started on the bolts it might save you some frustration but I was able to do it all myself in less than an hour.
From order to installation the whole process was as good as one could hope
Thanks
Milton
5/12/2021
No complaints! Works as it should. And it is unobtrusive when not in use - pretty invisible and not out where you might hit it with knee or shin when accessing the back of the car. It’s five stars.
I installed this on my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. It fits perfectly. Only the square hitch is visible below the bumper from the rear. It installs easily without having to drop the muffler as some models have you do. When putting it in place just start inserting it a little to the vehicles left side. Once in and over the exhaust you can shift it back right and into position. I accomplished widening the feed through holes in the car frame with just a round file. I was nervous about losing a bolt into the frame while getting the hitch into final position so I supported it on 2 additional jack stands plus aluminum shim plates until the last second. I fed the fish wires through the holes in the hitch before moving it into position onto the bolts. This was also a one man operation for me.
Daniel M.
4/13/2019
Perfect for my bike rack. The hitch does not reduce the ground clearance of the vehicle.
I haven't mounted anything to it yet, but the installation was pretty good. I didn't have to dismount the exhaust like some people say you do. Enlarging the frame hole is probably the biggest challenge. You need to not only get the rectangular spacer through but also the carriage bolt with a 1 inch head. So you really need a round hole slightly larger than an inch. I used an 1 1/8 inch Irwin step bit from Lowes. It wasn't cheap but got the job done quick. I tried using a grinding stone on the drill but that was a waste of time. With the holes drilled, the hitch was mounted in about 20 minutes. Use a torque wrench. Will be mounting a bike rack to it soon. By the way, this was installed on a 2020 Subaru Crosstrek.
Charles C.
8/26/2021
We use ours with a Thule 2 bike rack, works great.
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.
Joe
10/26/2023
After a year, I’m still using about once a week to carry my bike on a Kuat rack I install on the hitch. It still looks great! Finish has not rusted and it looks great! Couldn’t be happier!