Change in Hitch Receiver Tube Length on Curt Trailer Hitch for 2016 Subaru Forester

Updated 01/21/2016 | Published 01/20/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(566)

$186.59

Curt Cam Buckle Stabilizing Strap for Hitch-Mounted Accessories - 61" x 1" - Qty 1

(666)

$16.01

Question:

Im looking for a class III trailer hitch for my new 2016 Subaru Forester. In looking at your pictures for the Curt hitch, something looks off. If you look either at the 360 degree photo or the fourth photo, it appears as if the distance between the brackets for the safety chains and the end of the hitch is 1-2inch max. In addition, in those photos, the end of the bracket is pretty much directly under the hole for the pin. However, if you look at photo 13, the side view photo, you see a totally different picture. In that photo there is quite a bit of distance between the bracket and the hole for the pin. It seems clear that the pictures are not of the same hitch. I do not want a hitch that is recessed way under the car so I would prefer one like the one shown in picture 13 but I have no way of knowing what I would be getting based on your photos. Can you please clarify what the hitch looks like? Thanks.

asked by: Bruce P

Expert Reply:

You are correct that there is a bit of a difference in the trailer hitch. The Curt Class III Trailer Hitch # C13144 for your 2016 Subaru Forester has undergone a change in the length of the receiver tube. This is the difference you noted in the photos. Originally when we took our photos of this hitch, the receiver length of the hitch was 8 inches, but the receiver length was later increased to 11 inches.

I went out to the warehouse to look at the # C13144 hitches that we have in stock, and I found that they have the longer hitch receiver. This is the trailer hitch featured in the photos you referenced that show the hitch on a 2016 Subaru Forester. I found that for the trailer hitches we have in stock, the center of the hitch pin hole sits approximately 2-1/2 inches from the safety chain brackets.

The hitch featured in the installation video for the 2016 Forester is the hitch with the longer receiver tube. I have attached this installation video for you. When we installed the hitch, we found that for that particular Forester, the clearance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the back of the bumper measured 3 inches.

It is also important to keep in mind that this hitch will require the use of the # 18050 stabilization strap to comply with Curt's warranty on the hitch.

expert reply by: Victoria B