etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"

1429373

1469695

1390794

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

I ordered and installed this hitch last month (Aug 2011). I was very satisfied with customer service that took my telephone order and with the fast shipping.
I installed the hitch myself and read most of the prior reviews to get hints on installation. I think that the instructional video doesn't make it clear that besides the 2 rubber "doughnuts" supporting each muffler there is an additional doughnut hanger just forward of where the single exhaust pipe forms the "Y" to the dual mufflers. If you don't remove this one you will not be able to lower the mufflers low enough to install the hitch. I think this is why a couple of people had to remove their mufflers to install the hitch.
Taking advice of previous reviewer, I also removed the foam storage trays that are on both sides of the spare tire and removed the round pieces of tape covering access holes which allowed me to drill from inside the vehicle.
I installed the unit myself. Had the cars rear tires on low ramps. Used a small floor jack at the "Y" to lower the exhaust and kept the jack there to support exhaust.
Laying on cardboard I used a second floor jack support and raised the hitch into place and pumped only a few strokes with my right foot as I used my hands to level/balance and position the hitch and started the nuts on the bolts. It took about an hour & 15 minutes to complete the install. A friend was supposed to help me with the job but by the time he got here I was done.
I also bought the S64670 Swagman XTC-2 bike carrier and S64029 locking anti-rattle hitch pin. Very satisfied with both.
24031

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

The processing of disconnecting the exhaust pins from the rubber disks was more challenging than in the video. Perhaps I needed a special tool to do it. I used a small crowbar or a long screwdriver depending on access and leverage points. One thing to make it easier is to spray lubricant into both of the pins that go into the rubber disks.

I did the job on the ground using jack stands to hold the rear of the car up. Having a floor jack to raise the exhaust back in place allowed me to subtlety raise and lower the exhaust as necessary to align the rubber disks in line with the pins for reconnection.

As always, wear goggles when working under the car because I got a lot of sand/dirt fall down as I was working the pins and rubber disks.

The hitch looks better than I expected.855905

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

I picked this trailer hitch out because it was the absolute cheapest one. It arrived today less than a week after I ordered it. I was able to track the package online which was helpful. The hitch was a great fit. I installed it in my 2012 Subaru Forrester. I felt a little overwhelmed reading the instructions. I read them a couple of times, and watched The etrailer video And I was able to do it relatively painlessly. I am very pleased with the purchase, the product, the service.852737

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

This was exactly what I needed. This high quality hitch was very easy to install. Instructions were pretty easy to follow. The YouTube installation video was a lot easier to follow. Now I can move up to 4 mountain bikes on this bike rack with confidence to any place I want to go. Thanks etrailer.com!!!129828

Click to Enlarge

Awesome!!!!! This product is of the highest quality. Install was a snap. And it works with all kinds of bike racks.

Ruben H - 05/09/2015

11527

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

This receiver is great. Even somebody like me with minimal tools and experience can figure it out. Because my exhaust bolts are extremely rusty, I opted to not remove the exhaust, and instead lowered it as far as I could get it. This made it considerable harder nearly every step of the way because it meant I was working around two large cylinders, but I did get it installed eventually. I also managed to do this without another person to help hold the receiver in place while bolting. This was the one time that having the exhaust there was helpful because it held it up on one end while I held the other.

Overall this is a great product. Though I have not put it to the true test, I am confident that it will stand up to the task.

*Seperate testimonial to E-trailer's AMAZING customer service:
I ended up losing one of the rectangle steel plates inside the frame after putting it in. I emailed them and they promptly sent not 1, but 4 new ones out to me for no charge! Thanks a ton.918053

A bit over a year later and I still stand by this product. It has treated me well.

Karl - 03/21/2022

135050

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

Trailer hitch for my 2012 Subaru Forester had a good price and is very good quality. It fit perfect and looks good. Service and instruction video were great. I have bought 2 hitches for my cars and am pleased with both of them.640683

Click to Enlarge

Been using this hitch for over a year. Couldnt be happier. Use it mainly for mounting a bike rack.

David - 05/11/2020

76241

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

WOW !!!! Fast delivery !!!! It had taken me a full two hours...I stopped to take pics at nearly every step..I even used the box it came in to lay on while I installed....I'm so happy with all the money I saved ordering through etrailer.com and installing myself. Thank you very much for such a pleasant experience.22786

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

What do you call those orange step blocks to lift the car? Thanks.

-- comment by: John D - 08/21/2013

1936

Show Replies

Those are typically called drive-on car ramps. They can be made of steel, recycled plastics or there are some home-made ones using 2x10s. Though I would stick with the manufactured ones.

-- Patrick B - 8/22/2013

by: Melissa 08/21/2022

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

Bought this for my Subaru Forester 2010. I used it to move over 2,000 miles pulling a uhaul. It worked wonderfully and now I use it for a bike hitch and it is still solid and a great hitch.1368513

by: T08/03/2022

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

Well built product. Great service from etrailer. Extremely easy to install. This hitch has gotten lots of use.1345077

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

Ladies - you can do it! 2013 Forester - Installed by a woman. Package arrived in excellent condition; all parts present. I used the "remove the spare tire trays" method. The side trays are easy to pop out and put back in. I think it was a better option than drilling/grinding from below. I used a 17/32 bit and a small round file. Install was not difficult but for putting the isolators back on. Make sure the rubber isolator is on the long bar of the exhaust hangar as you hang the exhaust back up. :) You'll be glad you did. A few choice words and tenacity got them to behave. All in all, time was close to 60 minute install. I didn't need to lift the car up. MacGuyver'd hitch supports with cinder blocks and split wood until I could get the bolts on. Torqued to [see instructions] per instructions. I get my bike rack in this Thursday. Excited to try out my new hitch! Thanks etrailer. You are a great company! And thank you to all who shared their experiences. You helped out immensely!691649

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

I was extremely pleased with the quality of the hitch itself and the install was pretty easy. Customer service was terrific. It arrived a day earlier than they had predicted and everything was exactly as advertised. I would highly recommend both etrailer.com as well as the Curt hitch.1302288

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

Toughest part of install was disconnecting the rubber exhaust hangers.
Hitch was easy to install once exhaust was dropped down.
Hitch looks great installed, it fits nice and tight under bumper cover.
This hitch will be used to carry a bike rack and occasional utility trailer tow.

Exhaust hangers are much easier to reinstall then to remove.
Soap solution and grease help a lot.
I also blessed with a 2 post lift to put the car up in air makes doing this type of work 100% easier. 782484

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

I bought this trailer hitch for my 2015 Subaru Forester. I wish I had 4 wire threads for all four bolts instead of just two. I actually threaded the other two bolts with thread so not to lose those as well (the video you had was excellent, but I do not have a car lift and am on the ground under the car). Also could you state to wipe clean the surface that the trailer hitch is in contact with? As I was torquing down the bolts I heard crunching sounds (probably dirt and such). I was not going to lower the hitch to clean at that point. I am sure it is okay, but cleaning would have been nice. Everything else worked out great. It took me about 2 hours and 40 minutes to install (my drill is weak, the five exhaust supports took longer to take off and on, and I took pictures and video). But overall I am very happy with the product.219095

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

I'm not the most mechanically minded person, but I found the installation process of this to be simple and straightforward. The only challenges I had in installation were fitting the drill up in there to drill the holes bigger (even after lowering the exhaust), and getting the holes in the hitch to line up with the bolts without pushing the bolts through! Definitely required a helping set of hands to raise it up and bolt it on.
It's a sturdy product. I plan on using it primarily for a cargo carrier for deer hunting purposes, but I'm sure I'll try to find other things to use it for as well!563796

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

Just had the hitch installed.

It looks great, have to wait for better weather to see how well it works with my bike rack hooked up to it.

May need to purchase the wiring harness at some point if I decide to use it with a small trailer600938

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

It was not 15 minutes as on video. Taking rubbers off needed some lube and force. Drilling and dremeling while under the car is a bit of a chore :-) watched video 3 times to get fishhooking right :-) but after couple of hours it was on. It looks sharp :-) can be done by two folks and small ramps. Needed extra: 1/2 inch drill bit and drill, Dremel with some cutting wheel, lube, belt, ramps, wrench with bit, power for tools, some rug and gloves :-) overall : good product and good instruction by etrailer.28757

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

High quality. Relatively easy install with good instructions.1468498

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

There’s a reason this Curt hitch is a top recomendation for your Subaru Forester, easy to install and strong as all get out. Low profile It doesn’t stick out past the bumper, and only weighs 30lbs. Fit and finish are excellent perfect for towing or a bike rack. etrailer videos take all the guesswork away from the project. Thanks again for the free shipping and phone support!
777837

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

The hitch is made great. The installation video made installing the hitch a snap. Took me and a buddy a little over and hour. In two beers time everything is back on a working. Yes, I would recommend this214675

Click to Enlarge

Greatest

Casey S - 08/12/2016

20171

by: Zhenya02/04/2022

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

This trailer hitch was very easy to install on my 2012 Subaru Forester. Subaru and various mechanics wanted to charge me $200-300 to have it installed, but with the help of a friend I was able to install it on my own in about 45 minutes. The hardest part was lowering the exhaust.

I have not yet used the hitch to haul anything, but it is perfect for my hitch-mounted bike rack.1259014

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

The online video instructions were great. I installed the hitch using the version where you just detach the muffler at the hangers and one more on the exhaust pipe (5 total) and drop it down, but with a strap in place. I installed it right in my driveway without jacking it up or using ramps. Took maybe two hours, but I took my time with it.137276

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Review from a similar Trailer Hitch 13147 in Trailer Hitch

This is my fourth hitch from etrailer. It was easy to install although the fishhook installation process was a little hard to figure out as I had never done that before. Looks like it was built on vehicle.
Wiring was great also as it was just a plug-in. The video helped too as I knew exactly where to find the wiring end.24932

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge