Which Hitch Will Have The Best Ground Clearance Once Installed On A 2016 Subaru Forester

Updated 10/25/2021 | Published 10/24/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(159)

$234.32

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

(42)

$255.93

Question:

A few years ago I bought the Draw-Tite Max Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Class III - 2inch Item #75876 for my 2016 Subaru Forester. I also bought an NV 2.0 Bike Rack. The exhaust pipe on my car points directly at the bike rack and has been slowly melting some of the internal plastic parts. also, on some inclines, the end of the bike rack will scrape the ground. I am now looking at getting a new hitch receiver and I want one that sits higher off the ground. I am ok with cutting into the bumper fascia. Could you please tell me which hitch receiver sits the highest up for my subaru forester? From my research it looks like either this one Item #76182 or Item #CU64FR sits the highest up from the ground.

asked by: Brenton Y

Expert Reply:

Between the Curt # CU64FR and the Draw-Tite # 76182, the Draw-Tite will sit 1/4" higher at 16" when installed on a 2016 Subaru Forester. So if you are looking for the hitch that will sit the highest off the ground, the # 76182 will be your hitch.

With that being said, exhaust can always be an issue when carrying a bike rack or cargo carrier, and I actually have a solution for that as well. You will need to measure the diameter of the exhaust pipe, but we do have turndown exhaust tips that can be added so it isn't pointing directly at what you are carrying. As this will depend on the size needed, I included a link to the page where we have all these options.

expert reply by: Lazer S