What Hitch and Wiring Will Fit My 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness?

Updated 04/28/2026 | Published 04/23/2026

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"

(440)

$243.00

Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(2166)

$75.76

Question:

looking for Wilderness Outback 2026 tow hitch and wire harness that provides the OEM fitment behind the bumper not mounted below the bumber like some after market hitches.

asked by: Jeffrey B

Expert Reply:

Hi Jeffrey,

For a hitch for the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness that installs behind the bumper, I recommend the etrailer Class III Trailer Hitch Receiver part # e25TR. The cross tube is totally hidden behind the bumper, and only the hitch receiver tube is visible just underneath the bumper. It is a 2 inch bolt-on receiver that has a 350lb tongue weight and tows up to 3,500lbs. Please be aware you may need to trim some of the fascia for the hitch to fit properly.

For wiring, there is not yet a plug-in option that will plug straight into the vehicle's wiring. You'll need to use a universal option like the Curt Powered Tail Light Converter w/4-pole Flat part # C59236. It will need to be spliced into the vehicle's wiring and has a converter box wired in to draw power directly from your Outback's battery and not from the tail light circuits. The 4-way flat will give you trailer, brake, turn, and tail lights on your trailer that will match your vehicle's signals exactly.

What kind of trailer are you planning on towing with your new Outback?

expert reply by: Claire H

etrailer Trailer Hitch part # eTR Installed on Subaru Outback
(click to enlarge)

Bruce S.

4/28/2026

Jeffrey, I bought the trailer receiver hitch and had it installed on my 2026 Outback Touring XT. It fit seamlessly and only shows the receiver tube below my bumper. The shop I had install it cut a small amount of the plastic on the bottom to allow the receiver tube to pass by it. It fit great, shipping was excellent by Etrailer and I receive it in about a week. I don’t use any wiring harness as I only use the hitch to carry by bike rack. It works great. I am sure the folks at Etrailer can provide the proper harness for your needs. Bruce

Claire H.

4/28/2026

@BruceS Thank you so much for your kind feedback! I'm glad we could be apart of your journey :)

Craig H.

4/28/2026

Jeffrey, Ms. Claire H. asked that I reply to possibly help. I purchased this hitch for my wife's '26 Outback XT. I installed it myself with limited issues. You will need to be fairly handy and installation is simple except for the fact of removing the rear Subaru bumper facia. I watched the video they have on the website and it's pretty spot on. The only thing I'd offer is that you may want an "extra" set of hands when you start removing the facia and re-installing it. Read most of these responses and I would say slightly different than Claire that is does mount behind the bumper. As video shows...you pop off the facia and there is a steel plate bumper below. You remove that and then install the hitch below the metal bumper plate. As Bruce mentioned below, I had to cut a small piece of the facia to allow it to go over the hitch drop. I only use a bike hitch and basket hitch...I do NOT tow a trailer with her Subaru. So I cannot help with the wiring harness OEM fit...but if you know about cars and wiring...you should be able to splice a 4-pin pigtail plug into the harness when you determine what the Parking/Brake/Turn signal wires are and find a good ground. Watch their posted video and it's pretty easy install if you have a helper support the facia piece. Good Luck...

Claire H.

4/28/2026

@CraigH Good catch Craig! I thought he was referring to a hitch where it's installed behind the bumper and the hitch receiver tube comes out of the bumper instead of below it. I will update my answer to make sure he's got the correct info.