Will Drilling Be Required for Installation of a Hitch on the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Updated 03/06/2021 | Published 03/04/2021

Question:

Hello, I have a question about this hitch: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Subaru/Crosstrek/2021/e98912.html?VehicleID=202187214 You write No drilling required for installation , Access holes may need to be enlarged by drilling, filing, or rotary tool Do I need to drill or not? Thanks and I look forward to your reply.

asked by: Aaron W

Expert Reply:

The answer to this question really depends on the frame of your 2021 Subaru Crosstrek; in some cases the factory hasn't created big enough holes to run the installation hardware through, so the existing holes need to be enlarged to get the hitch mounting hardware on. If you check out the installation video of the etrailer # e98912 hitch that you were looking at, it shows the whole process. This isn't going to be the same on each vehicle, but it is not uncommon that it's going to require it. You're going to encounter this with any hitch installation on the vehicle since they all generally use the same hardware.

I've linked a review and installation video of this hitch for you to check out, but if you fast forward to about the 6:30 mark of the video, it shows how the installation was completed. There isn't any drilling into the frame required, but as it shows, the existing holes may need enlargement.

expert reply by: Erik B