Recommended 1-1/4" Hitch for a 2025 Subaru Forester

Question

Question:

I have an e-trailer Curt 1.25 inch hitch on 2016 Subaru crosstrek, now need now for 2025 Forester. I use hitch with Thule 9042 Pro 2-bicycle carrier. The safety pin hole on the hitch seems to be about 2 inches too far to the rear to allow the Thule carrier to be fully ed. Is that true for the Forester rack also?

asked by: Erik N

0

Expert Reply:

Hey Erik congrats on the new SUV. The hitch pin hole on the Curt Hitch item # C12198 sits right at 4-1/2" inside the rear bumper when mounted on the 2025 Subaru Forester. The closest part of the Thule Helium Pro Bike Rack is 8" in from the hitch pin hole so you'll have plenty of room.

The Curt Hitch item # C12198 is custom fit for the 2025 Subaru Forester. This is a class II hitch with a 1-1/4" receiver. I have linked an installation video below so you can see how to get it set up.

If you are planning on towing you will also need a wiring harness item # C56040 and a ball mount kit item # e47DR.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to throw them into the comment box below.

expert reply by: Jerred H

0

Jerred H.

10/27/2025

Hey Erik, how did the fit work out between your Thule bike rack and the Curt hitch on your new Forester? It sounds like the extra clearance should have solved the issue you had with the Crosstrek. Your update could make it easier for others moving their racks to a newer Forester.

Erik N.

10/28/2025

@JerredH I drilled a second pin hole in the Curt Hitch so the Thule bike rack could be more fully inserted into the hitch. The second hole is 1.75 inches from the original pin hole, and only goes through the right side of the hitch. This allows the Thule to be more fully inserted into the hitch. I took a picture but not sure how to send to you. Another tip is that the 2025 Forrester has a large black plastic "box" on the drivers side which is mounted at the same location as the Curt hitch mounting screws. I had to remove the box, saw off one of the box mounting tabs, and reinstall. Your hitch mounting instructions do not reference this. Note, The only purpose I find for the black plastic box seems to be to keep the rear left wheel from kicking snow and mud behind the bumper.

Jerred H.

10/29/2025

@ErikN That's interesting and thanks for that tip. It must be something new they added to the 2025 model years. I'll see if I can get that added to the website.

Answer 1

The Easy Fold part #TH903202 is designed to fit a 2 inch hitch, so as long as you have a 2 inch hitch installed on your 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek like the Curt #C13135 the bike rack would fit and work well. Curt requires the use of their stabilizer…

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Answer 2

I really like the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98912 for your 2024 Subaru Crosstrek because it has the standard hidden crosstube as well as the upgraded matte black finish so it looks better and is more durable than the other available hitches…

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Answer 3

Hello Joyce, thanks for reaching out. We do indeed offer a hitch with a 1-1/4" receiver for the 2025 Subaru Forester, the Curt Class 2 Hitch #C12198. We have confirmed directly with the manufacturer that this will fit the 2025 model. This hitch…

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Answer 4

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 5

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 6

The main difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #C13416 and the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver part #EH97FR is that the EcoHitch has a completely hidden cross tube whereas the Curt cross tube will be visible from the rear of…

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Answer 7

Hey Ricardo! Yes, the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C82RJ is the hitch Curt is working on for the new 2027 Telluride. This is a pre-order since Curt hasn't finished the design. It does not include wiring. The wiring harness for the 2027 is also up…

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Answer 8

Hi David! There are quite a few hitches offered for your 2026 Honda Odyssey, so I definitely understand wanting to know the differences. There are basically three styles available for you and I have them broken out below: Exposed Crosstube: etrailer…

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Answer 9

Hello Mike, thanks for reaching out. We do offer a few different hitches for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek, the Curt #C22MJ, the Draw-Tite #76209 and the EcoHitch #EH57CR. All 3 of these hitches place the receiver in virtually the same position beneath…

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Answer 10

Hey Jerit, congrats on the new car. We've got a couple of hitches that fit the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. The etrailer Trailer Hitch item #e98912 is going to be the most affordable option. This custom fit class III hitch has a 2"…

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Answer 11

Hello Charles, Great question. The only difference between the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2" #e25TR, and the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" #C67JR is the…

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Answer 12

Hey Nelson, welcome back and congrats on your new SUV! We get our information directly from Curt and their item #C13409 and item #C47HR hitches fit all models of the 2025 Subaru Forester including the hybrids. This is why we don't list a hybrid…

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