What Trailer Hitch Offers the Most Ground Clearance for a 2011 Subaru Outback Wagon

Updated 06/10/2019 | Published 06/08/2019

Question:

I have a 2011 Outback with an OEM 1.25” hitch that VERY NEATLY pokes THROUGH the bumper so that the bottom of the receiver is FLUSH with the bottom of the bumper. i.e. there is a notch in the bottom center of the bumper. All of your displayed racks show the receiver BELOW the bumper. With that style you lose 2 inches of clearance, which is not workable for Rocky Mountain forest dirt roads. Do you offer any CLASS III hitches where the from the crossbar to the receiver is about 2 inches less? So far I don’t see anything that duplicates the OEM hitch I ordered my Outback direct from the Subaru factory. Photo attached.

asked by: Brian

Expert Reply:

It looks like Subaru only offers a class I, 1-1/4" trailer hitch for a 2011 Subaru Outback. Therefore, if you need a class III, 2" trailer hitch for your 2011 Subaru Outback you will have to use an aftermarket trailer hitch. The issue with an aftermarket trailer hitch is as you mentioned, the receiver tube opening sits below the rear bumper and not inside the cutout you have. Therefore, your only option would be to keep the factory class I hitch that installs inside the opening or install a aftermarket class III trailer hitch in which the receiver tube opening sits below the rear bumper. There are no other options unfortunately.

If you do choose to go with an aftermarket class III trailer hitch then I recommend the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 76227 because it provides the best ground clearance at 15-1/2" from the ground to the top, inside edge of the receiver tube.

expert reply by: Conner L