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Say goodbye to complicated installs with the Curt Trailer Hitch C12198. It's custom-engineered for a seamless fit on your Subaru Forester models from 2019 to 2025. The bolt-on installation requires no welding, making it an effortless project for any do-it-yourselfer with modest tools at home. Enjoy the simplicity of a straightforward install and get on the road faster.
Worried about corrosion tarnishing your trailer hitch? The Curt hitch comes with a high-gloss black powder coat finish over a protective base coat, offering superior rust resistance that keeps it looking sharp season after season. It's designed to withstand the elements, ensuring your hitch stays as durable as the day you bought it.
Whether you're heading out with a lightweight trailer or attaching a hitch bike rack, there's no compromising strength. Feel secure towing up to 3,500 lbs of gross trailer weight and managing a tongue weight of 350 lbs with this Class II hitch. From hauling a small utility trailer to securely mounting bike carriers, it's built to handle your diverse towing needs.
Count on the strength and durability of a precisely welded, square-tube design. Engineered to enhance towing safety, this hitch minimizes flex and maintains strong, reliable connections. It’s not just about towing; it’s about peace of mind each time you hit the road.
Embrace a hitch design that works seamlessly with your bike racks, thanks to an innovative open-back receiver. This design simplifies maintenance, ensuring easy cleanup and continued ease of use. Whether commuting to trails or heading out for a family bike outing, the Curt hitch makes it seamless.
Drive with confidence knowing that your investment is protected by a limited lifetime warranty. With components like the fish wire included, guiding bolts into tight spaces is hassle-free. You’re not just buying a hitch; you’re ensuring a risk-free, long-term addition to your vehicle that delivers reliability every mile of the way.
Tech Tip
Underbody panel will need to be removed and reattached. No drilling through vehicle frame required for installation , Access holes may need to be enlarged by filing or rotary tool , Exhaust must be temporarily lowered for installation , Heat shield must be modified or trimmed for hitch installation
Was easy to install and has worked well to pull a light trailer. Less expensive than one from the dealer. Instructions were good.
I read the instructions and watched the video. It was beneficial to watch the video on the vehicle model I was installing the hitch on. I did not have a step drill bit, so I cut a notch in the hole the width of the spacer. The rubber plug was able to be placed back in the frame. See picture. Everything went smoothly. Thanks!
This is the third hitch I’ve purchased over the years and it is always a positive experience. The hitch for my 2019 Subaru Forester was nicely packaged and all parts were included.
I would highly recommend buying your hitch needs from etrailer. I installed this myself in about 90 minutes or so. I took my time.
Thank you for another positive experience etrailer.
Paul
10/2/2021
Still good no rust no chips
The hitch appears to be an excellent product. I made the installation easier by modifying the provided instructions. If the muffler is decoupled from the exhaust pipe, only the most rear hanger needs to be removed. The muffler then hangs out of the way and allows access to the mounting holes. Also, only the two screws of the black plastic box on the driver side need to be removed. The box is flexible enough to be contorted and pushed up to allow access to the mounting holes. The plastic push plugs don't need to be removed.
It is a great price for this trailer hitch. The install video made all the difference, without it I could not have installed it. I am a Registered Nurse and not a person that works on cars for a living. The install video made it possible for me to install this trailer.
Ruben
5/22/2021
After a year my hitch is still working great!
Great hitch fit fine. Great videos, really help. The included instructions were good and nice to have.
Only complaint would be the packing. I don't think I've had one hitch out of four show up fully inside the packaging. Luckily no parts were missing.
Excellent service and great installation instructions. Installation was straight forward and fit was perfect. Great job guys!
Straight forward installation. The featured video shows the use of the fourth frame plug hole as the hardware fish point. I followed the instructions and enlarged the middle hole on each side. Used silicone under the heat shield and hitch bolt hole on exhaust side and between hitch and frame on driver’s side. Video was otherwise very helpful.
Super nice fit and finish. It was a job though. I'd plan for 3-4 hours if installing alone and without a lift.
so far I have not installed, but looks good with all the parts. Only complaint, I did not receive any tracking info like promised. It did arrive promptly in 2 days as stated.
This hitch fits perfectly and is a high quality well made product. It does not affect ground clearance.I took my laptop out to the garage and just played/paused my way through the installation video - performing one step at a time. I did not run into any issues although it did take a couple of hours. I used a small metal file instead of a grinder to make the access hole larger (just to create a quarter inch notch for the bolt and bolt plate to fit through). I was hesitant to remove parts and to make modifications on my brand new 2023 Forester but am very happy with the results. I will be using this hitch for my small utility trailer that I use for mulch, trash, etc.
The best e-commerce business for all things towing. I’ve installed 7 hitches on Subarus (mine & friends). The best customer service, prices, and selection. Awesome videos and Q&A for products.
The trailer hitch is high quality and fit perfect. Preview video before installation, it was extremely helpful. The fish wire comes with the kit. Highly recommend this product for your Forester.
Super fast delivery, Curt Products are always better than draw-tite. This is my 2nd forester an the install was easier as I remembered not to completely remove the trim box on the passenger side and just remove the screw from the head shield and drill out the shield material against the openings in the frame rail. Glad I opted for the class II 1 1/4 size as it is a cleaner look and I no longer need an adaptor for my bike rack.
Fast shipping, product looks fantastic. I love that it comes with everything you need including fishing wires.
Wendy
3/4/2024
Working just fine, no surprises. Finish still looks like new after our hard winter with the use of salt on roads. Recommend having a stepped bit for the insulation.
This is the third Hitch I installed over the years on my new Subaru Forester (2009, 2015, 2023). Installation was easy if you follow directions and have propertools. This is a better built at less cost than the Subaru factory hitch.
Awesome service
Wow, terrific products and FAST delivery! Very considerate with emails to keep me informed of my order. Higly recommended.
Tom
5/4/2024
I have used the Curt Trailer Hitch this past year to transport my Bikes and it has worked very well, no issues.Great Product less expensive than if purchased from a auto dealer
Wow. Where to begin. The web site is clear, informative and easy to navigate. Price was inline with [online retailer], and shipping was free. Tracking of the shipment was very detailed, accurate and included a map. The pkg was delivered on-time and intact. Upon opening, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fishwire included for each bolt, which saved me countless issues. The videos I found online from eTrailer that showed me exactly what do do for my exact vehicle were spot on. I had allowed 4 hours for the install, but had it mounted completely within 1 hour. I could not be more satisfied with the entire eTrailer experience.
Scott
9/3/2021
Fabulous - could not be more pleased after a year of usage. The hitch is solid, has been a breeze to connect and disconnect my trailer to countless times, and the finish albeit alwasy a bit dusty is still like new.
product exactly as described and arrived very promptly after order. Had this hitch professionally installed on our 2020 Subaru Forester to accommodate a Yakima bike rack. we have not purchased a great number of items from etrailer but when the occasion arises we check them out and have been well satisfied with every purchase.
The delivery time was amazing, arrived evening of the 3rd day I installed this morning everything went smooth we will mount our bike rack and go for a ride.thanks to e-trailer for such good service.
Larry S.
9/25/2021
Excellent
I have had good luck with all of your hitches. They always fit and have all the hardware needed to be installed.
It just doesn't get much better. This company gets it right in the digital age. Quick delivery, accurate installation video. EVERYTHING just as promised.
Lanny
5/27/2023
Works great! Paint looks new, and plenty of clearance on our 22 Forester.
How much can one have to say about a utilitarian device such as a trailer hitch receiver? This one performs as expected. It has a heavy-duty feel to it that exudes professionalism. I had the installation performed at a local car repair shop. Within 2 hours I was on the road in our 2020 model Forester SUV towing my 12 foot Jon boat.
I purchased the same style hitch in the past. It installs as per instructions. They've lasted many years and have good quality.
Sid
3/20/2022
The hitch has remained a tight insecure and has worked perfectly over the last year.
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Brian K.
5/31/2024
The trailer hitch has worked great