7-Way Trailer Connector Recommendation for 2016 Subaru Outback

Updated 09/02/2020 | Published 08/31/2020

Products Featured in This Question

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(2968)

$49.36

Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole

(660)

$61.72

Curt Dual Length Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 2-3/8" Rise, 3-5/8" Drop - 7,500 lbs

(162)

$53.23

Curt Class II Drawbar - 2-5/8" Rise, 3-1/4" Drop - 7-1/4" Long - 3,500 lbs

(2273)

$49.29

Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug-in w/ Bluetooth App - Up to 2 Axles - Proportional

(1771)

$279.95

50mm Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 8K

(137)

$33.91

7-Way RV Upgrade Kit for Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 12 Gauge Wires

(337)

$96.74

Pin and Clip for 1-1/4" Hitches - 1/2" Diameter

(895)

$11.49

Pin and Clip for 2" and 2-1/2" Hitches - 5/8" Diameter x 3-1/4" Span

(895)

$13.90

Question:

I am looking at the installing the Draw-Tite Class III trailer hitch. Can you advise what I should use in terms of wiring, the dog trailer uses 7 pin North American wiring. I would like the wiring to be permanent i.e. dont want to be moving cables in and out as seen in the 4 pin solutions. The trailer uses a 50mm European hitch can you recommend a hitch ball and ball mount with any security options that exist?

asked by: Alan D

Expert Reply:

I'd be happy to help you with that. You'd need to begin with a trailer taillight converter harness like part # 118467.

How to proceed from there will depend on if your trailer is equipped with electric brakes. If it is not, all you'd need is the 4 pole to 7-way adapter, part # 37185 which would permanently install on the rear of the vehicle. The adapter plugs into the 4-pole provided by the # 118467 and has 3 additional wire leads. The white wire grounds to the vehicle frame or chassis. The remaining wires aren't needed unless your trailer has a battery on it that you'd want to keep topped off, in which case you'd use the # ETBC7L kit.

The # ETBC7L kit includes the # 37185 adapter plus a length of wire that is ran to the positive battery terminal on the vehicle, via the included 40A circuit breaker. If the trailer has brakes, you'll also need a brake controller to actuate them. The Curt Echo, part # C51180 would be an excellent choice, as it operates wirelessly using your smartphone as the controls.

The ball mount needed will depend on whether you have a 1-1/4 inch or a 2 inch receiver. When we installed a hitch on a 2016 Subaru Outback, we found that the hitch sat between 15-16 inches above the ground. Since the average trailer coupler sits about 16-1/2 to 17 inches when the trailer's level, you'll need a ball mount that provides about 2 inches of rise. For a 2 inch receiver, I'd recommend the # C45230 ballmount, the # PC2 hitch pin and the # EH53C-C 50mm ball. For a 1-1/4 inch receiver, use # C45521 with a # PC2 hitch pin and the # 63912 50mm ball.

I've linked to some installation/demonstration videos that you might find helpful.
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