What Hidden Trailer Hitch, Wiring, and Ball Mount do I Need for My 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Premium?  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hello David,

Thanks for writing in! I am happy to help you get the right setup for carrying your bikes and towing your sailboat. It sounds like you are out there enjoying life the right way.

It looks like you already found the hitch I would recommend. The EcoHitch Stealth Trailer Hitch Receiver # EH57CR is going to be the cleanest-looking option for your vehicle. The only visible portion is the receiver opening itself. I attached a photo that shows the hitch from underneath the vehicle, and as you can see, even the cross tube is well hidden. When you're not using the hitch, you can remove the receiver entirely, only you will know it is there =)

This hitch is rated for up to 525 lbs of tongue weight, which is the vertical load applied by your bike rack and bikes, and up to 3,500 lbs of trailer weight. That is more than enough capacity for your sailboat trailer, which you mentioned weighs less than 800 lbs. Just keep in mind that hitch ratings can sometimes exceed the vehicle manufacturer's ratings, so you'll always want to follow Subaru's towing and tongue weight limits listed in your owner's manual.

If you wanted to save a couple of bucks, you could go with the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C22MJ. The receiver is not removeable, but from behind you cannot see the cross tube, and the receiver sits flush with the bumper facia. It does state that some holes may need to be enlarged, when I installed mine I did so by test fitting the hitch up there, used a yellow marker to mark where the hole needed to be enlarged, I used a dremel for the most part, then cleaned it up with a step drill bit, and touched it up with some spray paint to prevent rusting.

To get the trailer lights working properly on your sailboat trailer, you'll also need the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # C56040. This will provide the connection for your trailer's running lights, brake lights, and turn signals.

If you need a ball mount for towing your sailboat, I recommend the etrailer Ball Mount w/ Pre-Torqued 2" Ball # e38NR. The receiver on the EcoHitch will sit at 15" from the ground after installation, and most trailer couplers sit around 16" from the ground when the trailer is level. The # e38NR provides a 2-3/4" rise which will get you right at level towing after you get the weight attached.

If you'd like to verify that before ordering, simply park your sailboat trailer on level ground and measure from the ground to the bottom of the coupler. If your measurement is close to 16", the # e38NR will work great. If your coupler height is noticeably higher or lower, just let me know what measurement you get and I'd be happy to recommend the correct rise or drop to keep your trailer towing level.

If your sailboat trailer has brakes, please let me know so I can get you a brake controller and the additional wiring you will need.

I just installed my own hitch this last weekend, I didn't have a second set of hands but was able to use jack stands to get the hitch up high enough to lift to the frame to get the nuts started, make sure to keep the fish wires on the bolt until you are about to put the nuts on, that was very helpful as well.

How long have you been sailing? What kind of bikes and bike rack do you have?

expert reply by: Kate F

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EcoHitch Installed on Subaru Crosstrek
(click to enlarge)