This was VERY helpful! You did a great job and reduced my anxiety about doing this myself on my new WO….I installed a CURT hitch on my CrossTrek and it’s been great. Thanks again!
Most dealers are in the 600-650 range, installed. I had mine put in this morning. Things like footwell lights, improved speakers and skid plates we did, but paused at cutting the bumper. Looks pretty good. Putting bikes on this week and going over Buffalo Pass.
That's great. I know if you go on Subaru build site the hitch is 615 just for the hitch. So I guess your dealer cut you a great deal. More like a steal.
@@kendallbrock9275 the factory one hangs a little higher then the curt hitch. My understanding is that it's about level with tail pipes. In my opinion the curt hitch will protect your bumper cover better then the factory. We go off roading a lot and I rather scrape the hitch then RIP the bumper cover off. The curt hitch hangs about 1and 3/4 inch under the bumper.
The reason why the factory hitch is so expensive to install is that it is designed different and installs different. There are more steps to the process. Instead of mounting behind the rear beam it requires removal and discard of the rear beam. It installs by removing the beam and putting in brackets in the frames that are bolted into place through holes above the heat shields above the mufflers. So you have to remove mufflers and heat shields as well. The hitch then installs to those brackets and sits where the bumper beam used to. As for cost, I picked my OEM one up from my local dealer with the fascia cover included for $375. Not much more than the Curt one. Took me about 1.5 hours taking my time to install it.
Nice video. Looking at this hitch for my wilderness as well since the dealer want 1k to do the factory install. Could buy the hitch from the dealer and do myself but it’s still more expensive on its own and is only rated for around 325 pound tongue weight if I remember correctly. The curt is rated for almost double that and to be honest after years of off roading in several vehicles I can say an inch or so of the curt hitch hanging down over the factory hitch isn’t really that big of a deal.
Not to rain on anybody's parade, but the hitch I installed through the dealer on my Wilderness, fits neatly *thru* the bumper, not underneath it. Which doesn't impede on the departure angle. As for the stock skid plates, burn them with fire! They are completely useless.
That's great. I'm sure there style is slightly different. I wasn't gonna pay almost a 1000 dollars to install a hitch when I can get one with wiring kit and install myself for 315. Besides that 2 1/2 inches that my hitch hangs down is not gonna make a difference for me.
@@madmattsubieman9807 it didn't cost $1000 but okay. Whatever you put in that hitch, whether it's a bike rack, spare wheel carrier or a cargo basket, those couple of inches will make a big difference because whatever you have back there will be digging in and scrapping if you do any off roading. Speaking from personal experience.
@@milan_spasić that will protect my bumper cover unlike yours. I have it the same way on my 2017 crosstrek and I'm sure it has protected by cover from being ripped off. I'm sure you paid dealer least 615 dollars or more to have it put on. I prefer to scape the bottom of my hitch then the bottom of the bumper cover.
@@madmattsubieman9807 Actually, no. My hitch is on the same level with tips of the mufflers so it also protects the bumper but will not drag when offroading. Thanks for playing.
Skid plates. I’m guessing that’s so when you’re for 4X4 you don’t scratch the bottom of the engine. Is that correct? You said you bought some skid plates can I ask how much they cost?
As long as the dealer dont screw it up. Lol. Seen alot of pictures of hack jobs. The only difference between Curt and the factory is Curt hangs maybe inch and half lower. Other the that no difference. Expect factory you have to cut the hell out of your bumper cover. Thanks for the comment and watching. You have a great week.
@@madmattsubieman9807 Doesn't the 1.5" lower hitch height vs. OEM hitch height negate the Wilderness' raised suspension advantage? Departure angle suffers even more. Defeats the purpose of buying a Wilderness, IMHO.
@@jkjome4095 never had a issue with that. We have had it a year now . The car is used offroad road a lot. And I'm not talking dirt roads. Also 2 inch lift is installed on it.
I do show on the video taking tail lights out. Not sure if it was necessary but wanted them out of the way and I believe it makes it easier to undo clips that are between tail lights and bumper
Installing this hitch today with a wiring harness (all in for $300CAD). I think it's comical having a few wannabe sube fanboys comment on how you're losing few inches of clearance, when really, when you include the muffle pipes, it's maybe an inch...and, dang! That bumper angle and the overall height is crazy high...won't lose sleep on potentially rubbing it on the ground lol...and the several 100 in savings is worth it. I've also heard horror stories on dealerships mucking up the cut on the oem hitch....much more involved.
Hope it goes well for you. Ya I saved probably 600 dollars doing it myself. Really easy. And really the hitch will help protect your bumper cover. I much rather scrape my hitch then bumper cover. And i do put our Subaru's through some really tough terrain. Enjoy. Hoping to get some more videos posted soon. Have some offroad and add on videos coming out.
This was VERY helpful! You did a great job and reduced my anxiety about doing this myself on my new WO….I installed a CURT hitch on my CrossTrek and it’s been great. Thanks again!
nice job on the video and very helpful, as you said, not much out there for the 22 wilderness..thanks for taking the time.
Thanks for watching. Working on the video for lift kit install but having trouble with the files. Hopefully soon.
Most dealers are in the 600-650 range, installed. I had mine put in this morning. Things like footwell lights, improved speakers and skid plates we did, but paused at cutting the bumper. Looks pretty good. Putting bikes on this week and going over Buffalo Pass.
That's great. I know if you go on Subaru build site the hitch is 615 just for the hitch. So I guess your dealer cut you a great deal. More like a steal.
My dealer quoted $850 +tax
Also the oem hitch is higher up in the bumper then the curt so you don’t lose any ground clearance. Correct?
@@kendallbrock9275 the factory one hangs a little higher then the curt hitch. My understanding is that it's about level with tail pipes. In my opinion the curt hitch will protect your bumper cover better then the factory. We go off roading a lot and I rather scrape the hitch then RIP the bumper cover off. The curt hitch hangs about 1and 3/4 inch under the bumper.
@@madmattsubieman9807 Meanwhile, they wanted 450 for the footwell lighting. It's a 115 part and takes about 20 mins to install.
The reason why the factory hitch is so expensive to install is that it is designed different and installs different. There are more steps to the process. Instead of mounting behind the rear beam it requires removal and discard of the rear beam. It installs by removing the beam and putting in brackets in the frames that are bolted into place through holes above the heat shields above the mufflers. So you have to remove mufflers and heat shields as well. The hitch then installs to those brackets and sits where the bumper beam used to. As for cost, I picked my OEM one up from my local dealer with the fascia cover included for $375. Not much more than the Curt one. Took me about 1.5 hours taking my time to install it.
Nice video. Looking at this hitch for my wilderness as well since the dealer want 1k to do the factory install. Could buy the hitch from the dealer and do myself but it’s still more expensive on its own and is only rated for around 325 pound tongue weight if I remember correctly. The curt is rated for almost double that and to be honest after years of off roading in several vehicles I can say an inch or so of the curt hitch hanging down over the factory hitch isn’t really that big of a deal.
Ya what little bit it hangs down is not that big of a deal for me. It will actually help protect your bumper cover getting ripped off.
Please do a full walk around on the other set up subi!
Not to rain on anybody's parade, but the hitch I installed through the dealer on my Wilderness, fits neatly *thru* the bumper, not underneath it. Which doesn't impede on the departure angle. As for the stock skid plates, burn them with fire! They are completely useless.
That's great. I'm sure there style is slightly different. I wasn't gonna pay almost a 1000 dollars to install a hitch when I can get one with wiring kit and install myself for 315. Besides that 2 1/2 inches that my hitch hangs down is not gonna make a difference for me.
@@madmattsubieman9807 it didn't cost $1000 but okay. Whatever you put in that hitch, whether it's a bike rack, spare wheel carrier or a cargo basket, those couple of inches will make a big difference because whatever you have back there will be digging in and scrapping if you do any off roading. Speaking from personal experience.
@@milan_spasić that will protect my bumper cover unlike yours. I have it the same way on my 2017 crosstrek and I'm sure it has protected by cover from being ripped off. I'm sure you paid dealer least 615 dollars or more to have it put on. I prefer to scape the bottom of my hitch then the bottom of the bumper cover.
@@madmattsubieman9807 Actually, no. My hitch is on the same level with tips of the mufflers so it also protects the bumper but will not drag when offroading. Thanks for playing.
@@milan_spasić lol
Not a problem. Have a good day.
Thanks for this. Which part number was that Curt hitch?
Curt hitch part number 89294965
its CURT 13437
Skid plates. I’m guessing that’s so when you’re for 4X4 you don’t scratch the bottom of the engine. Is that correct? You said you bought some skid plates can I ask how much they cost?
If I remember they are around 500 I paid. I think. Primitive racing is the brand.
I hope you do actually film and upload the upgrades on the wilderness!
The factory hitch looks so much better
As long as the dealer dont screw it up. Lol. Seen alot of pictures of hack jobs. The only difference between Curt and the factory is Curt hangs maybe inch and half lower. Other the that no difference. Expect factory you have to cut the hell out of your bumper cover. Thanks for the comment and watching. You have a great week.
@@madmattsubieman9807 Doesn't the 1.5" lower hitch height vs. OEM hitch height negate the Wilderness' raised suspension advantage? Departure angle suffers even more. Defeats the purpose of buying a Wilderness, IMHO.
@@jkjome4095 never had a issue with that. We have had it a year now . The car is used offroad road a lot. And I'm not talking dirt roads. Also 2 inch lift is installed on it.
On the etrailer instructions, I did not see where you have to remove the tail lights in order to get the bumper fascia off.
I do show on the video taking tail lights out. Not sure if it was necessary but wanted them out of the way and I believe it makes it easier to undo clips that are between tail lights and bumper
What ball mount do you use?
I use one that is straight. No drop in it. Ball size depends on what trailer I'm using
Installing this hitch today with a wiring harness (all in for $300CAD). I think it's comical having a few wannabe sube fanboys comment on how you're losing few inches of clearance, when really, when you include the muffle pipes, it's maybe an inch...and, dang! That bumper angle and the overall height is crazy high...won't lose sleep on potentially rubbing it on the ground lol...and the several 100 in savings is worth it.
I've also heard horror stories on dealerships mucking up the cut on the oem hitch....much more involved.
Hope it goes well for you. Ya I saved probably 600 dollars doing it myself. Really easy. And really the hitch will help protect your bumper cover. I much rather scrape my hitch then bumper cover. And i do put our Subaru's through some really tough terrain. Enjoy. Hoping to get some more videos posted soon. Have some offroad and add on videos coming out.