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This fully welded trailer hitch receiver bolts onto your Subaru Forester's frame with no welding required. Matte black, powder coated steel is durable and corrosion resistant and creates a rugged look.
Features:
Specs:
The sturdy steel construction is protected with a matte black finish for added durability. This unique powder coating gives etrailer hitches a carbide-like appearance and a rugged look that sets them apart from traditional glossy hitches. In addition to being rust and corrosion resistant, the tough matte coating hides dirt, scuffs, and dings better than a glossy finish.
At etrailer we're committed to the products we sell, and to our customers. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are available via both phone and email to address your questions and concerns for the lifetime of your hitch. The technicians at etrailer perform hitch installations on a daily basis, making them a valuable resource for do-it-yourselfers. The one-on-one, personal service you'll receive comes straight from an expert in the towing and automotive field. We've installed it, we've wired it and we've towed with it, so whatever your question, we can answer it.
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 will be temporarily removed for hitch installation
Complete Towing Package for 2021 Subaru Forester
Popular Forester Trailer Hitch Accessories
While this went in as planned and without major issues, I give it 4 stars for the items we learned along the way.
- The muffler "grommet" could use some WD40 to assist it taking it off and putting it back on when you have to drop the muffler. Soapy water can work, but WS40 DEF works better and easier to apply with the long straw nozzle.
- On my particular Forester Wilderness the left back side plastic bumper pieces had to be removed. But when it is replaced there is one hold down flange that has to be cut back. So we did this with a small coping saw with fine teeth to cut back the sides and then the hitch was mounted on top of the small piece of remaining tab.
- Finally, the box the hitch came in was fairly well destroyed. Just wish there was some better way to send as I know I am not the only one who had this happen.
I installed this Hitch on a 2025 Forester Premium, installation went smooth and it took me about 4 hours to complete, the installation videos were a great help. The quality of Hitch Receiver and supplied Hardware are excellent.
It's nice when you buy something and get exactly what was advertised. The hitch is very well built and was surprisingly simple to install. The on line videos guided me through the installation. I ended up with a quality hitch and a factory like installation Overall I am very pleased with this product and highly recommend it. Money well spent.
Brooke M.
3/31/2025
Thank you so much for sending in the photos! It's really encouraging to hear you had a good experience. What will you be using the new hitch for?
Great hitch for the price and yes there are a couple of extra modifications that are needed for a clean installation but to be honest if you are taking on this install yourself you should be able to perform the additional tasks. (I did not have an extra set of hands and I learned from prior installations to utilize an auto jack to hold the hitch while I threaded on the nuts)
Victoria H.
3/12/2025
That's great Gary! Thank you for sharing your insight and including photos too! This is helpful information. What are you planning on mounting on your hitch?
Timely delivery and just what I ordered! Easy process from start to finish.
Gwendolyn Y.
7/22/2025
That's great to hear, Jeffrey! Now that you got the hitch on, what are you going to use it for?
Just installed on our 2024 Subaru Forester. Took several hours but I am 64 and do not have a lift like they do in the video. Also the etrailer instal 2023 Video is much better than the 2024.
Jack 
3/4/2025
A year in and going strong. This hitch along with bike rack I got from etrailer makes taking the bikes with us a breeze.
The hitch looks great! Excellent customer service and it arrived quickly!
Brooke M.
6/23/2025
Sure does look good! Did you tackle installing the hitch yourself, Kaitlin? If so, you did a great job :)
Fits great, easy install, excellent customer service. Josh reached out immediately after my purchase with a substitute part that would ship even faster if I wanted something sooner. Etrailer has my business in the future.
Lazer S.
9/23/2025
Thanks for the feedback, Brent! I will definitely let Josh know you mentioned him! What are you going to be using the hitch for?
Easy install. Followed the video. Had it done in an hour and a half.
Brooke M.
6/9/2025
Sweet! 30 minutes on the new '25 Subaru Forester -- that's awesome! Using the hitch to carry a cargo carrier or something similar?
Brooke M.
6/9/2025
This is the second hitch I have ordered this month. I really love the install videos. I am a pro now. I purchased a nice bit to make the access holes slightly larger and I use two 4 ton jack stands to help lift in place solo.
Justin
8/21/2025
About a year ago I bought two of the same hitches for Subaru foresters. I love them. They are working great. No rust, no signs of wear. Use it everyday. For instructions for kids in thorough and I was able to do these installs myself.
Pros:
-easy to follow instructions
-minimal modification required to fit
-straight-forward and simple procedure
Cons:
-somewhat daunting for those who aren't comfortable under their car
-easy to make a mistake that can turn into a bigger issue
I would say that as far as installing a new and incredibly useful part to your car goes, it's hard to overstate the value of a well-built and useful hitch like this. For those who aren't familiar with working on their car, be careful as many plastic parts can be replaced if damaged but the inconvenience is there. Take your time to pop off any plastic holders and follow the instructions as closely as possible. For enlargening the holes to fit the bolts I used an arbor bit, with careful attention paid to getting the hole size I needed and not any larger. I also used a metal primer/paint to make sure the newly drilled holes would not provide a surface for rust to grow. Overall, this hitch is well-built and the process is not hard to follow. It is also significantly cheaper than most other hitches with what appears to be good build-quality. I only give this 4 stars as there is always room for improvement.
So I’d need another opportunity to provide a review after I start using the hitch. I’ll give the equipment 5stars now for quality of craftsmanship, ease of ordering and tracking, comms with your team, and DIY installation. The make/model specific video? Perfect. I got the hitch on very smoothly thanks to your tech’s video. The process up to now could not have gone better. You seem to have an excellent product and better customer service. Thanks! Now I just have to get my bike rack and trailer so I can start using the hitch. Send me a link in the spring next year and I’ll provide another five star review I hope.
Great deal for a quality product! Subaru wants $[XX] plus labor for a hitch and I can't imagine it's that much better than this for under $[XX]. I unbolted the muffler and disconnected the rear hanger rather than dropping the exhaust, plenty of room even without jacking up the vehicle. Step drill made quick work of enlarging the hole, hook tool made fishing the wire a breeze and floor jack with a zip tie made it a one man job. Took me a little over an hour with no unexpected surprises.
Joel
6/3/2024
After one year, the hitch has hit no unexpected surprises, works great though it usually just gets used for a bicycle rack
I was sent additional mounting materials that don't correspond with my hitch or my bike rack. See the photo below. Are these materials for my trailer Trailer Hitch Receiver Item #e83ZR?
Katrina D.
8/7/2024
Huh, that is weird. It doesn't look like any hardware you should have received. Is that white piece a plain piece of plastic? Can you take a couple more pictures from some different angles? Was there a number on the packaging for this kit?
Instructions were very helpful and accu rate.
Victoria H.
3/11/2025
I'm glad to hear install went seamlessly for you and thanks for including a photo too, Durwin!
Works as intended. I would have just liked a little more care with packaging. I’m gonna have to paint some areas to keep it from rusting. Otherwise easy install and great videos on the website to help.
This kit included all the hardware needed for a pretty straightforward install and the hitch has worked perfectly since! I installed it on a 2020 Forester to carry mountain bikes most of the time and occasionally pull my 5x10 trailer. Very happy with it!
First, the quality of the hitch is outstanding. The steel, the welds, and the powder coating is beautiful. Second, the fact that it was delivered in only two days is a real bonus. I had ordered an identical hitch on Amazon, waited a week, and then canceled the order when it was never even shipped after one week. Then I turned to etrailer, ordered, and had it in two days!
Hank
5/3/2025
Outstanding. Like the day it was installed.
Bought so I could attach a bike rack on my base model Forester. My husband and son easily installed at home following the excellent video instructions. Seems to be good quality and is very securely attached/solid hitch.
Brooke M.
5/13/2025
Good on them for getting their hands dirty and taking care of business! :) Has the hitch improved your biking life?
The hitch had many scuff marks for being brand new, and when I opened the box there was a empty bag of cheetos in the bottom. But the hitch mounted up with no issues.
The Etrailer hitch receiver is perfect for my Ebike carrier. It is sturdy and well built. I haven’t had any problem with it. My mechanic installed it. I recommend this as it requires some major work to do so.
I purchased this hitch #E83ZR and the #C56040 wiring harness for my 2025 Subaru Forester Limited. Delivery was prompt and free, packaged very well and with all hardware intact.
Instructions were perfect and easy to follow. Wiring harness was basically plug and play. The hitch installation, while a hoist would have been beneficial, I was able to do this from the ground with about a 6" lift of back wheels. It took me slightly more that 2 hours with several rest breaks. not bad for a 71 year old guy. Hitch looks great and no low points below the standard OEM undercarrige. The hitch is probably the strongest part of this car. Very satisfied customer
Hitch is on my 2019 Subaru Forester which the hitch was configured for. Once you get past the shields installed by Subaru the hitch fits perfectly. Just follow excellent installation instructions. If it helps, Subaru dealer quoted $1,200.00 for them to to install “their” hitch. You can do this, if you have the few tools required and a bit of mechanical ability
Hitch and installation turned out great. Minus one star for shipping damage. Minor paint scratches on the hitch where it busted through the box. Not much to do except perhaps a bit more wrapping for protection. I didn't contact etrailer for support as I needed to install ASAP. Im sure they would have made it right.
Second hitch from them. And I'm going to pick up some more accessories from them. Fantastic support and website layout.
Expect products. The trailer system was installed by a local service garage but the mechanic a said it was the easiest he has ever done and promised to recommend etrailer to his customers it was installed on my brand new Subaru Forster and has worked great hauling my trailer with a 21 ft Key West CC boat.
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Brooke M.
3/24/2025
Thanks for sharing a photo of your handiwork, Hank! Looks awesome and now you're ready to go. What will you be hauling?