7-Way Trailer Connector Recommendation for 2016 Subaru Outback  

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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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expert reply by: Mike L

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