Installing a Hitch: Dealer or DIY?

3458 Views 38 Replies 20 Participants Last post by Titanrx8, 7 d ago

GirlGoneRogue

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

On a scale of $0 to $400, how much of a pain is self-installing the OEM hitch on my 2021 Touring? I’ve seen the videos and some other posts about this (mostly just arguing about the superiority of the OEM hitch over something you’d get at U-Haul — okay you convinced me), but can someone who has done this QUANTIFY the misery/difficulty/ease of the endeavor?

I have the $485 part from the dealer and an appointment on Friday for two-ish hours of their labor ($190/hour) to mount the hitch. Curious if it’s worth asking my husband (he’s very handy in the non-automotive world and we’re both reasonably competent engineers) to tackle this with me with the upside of saving $400 (minus the $75 I’ll then spend taking said husband to a nice dinner).

Each curse word you thought, muttered, or shouted during the process is worth $50. Please also let me know how much in excess of two hours your DIY install took. The video I watched of this showed the Ascent up on a lift…must be nice! Other strong opinions on dealer vs. DIY for this sort of thing are welcome.

One of the posts about self-installing the hitch mentioned struggles with a multitude of clips that kept shearing; I vividly remember a similar struggle replacing the headlights in my 2013 Outback and would easily have paid someone $400 x 5 to do that work in my place, so I’m pretty biased towards just outsourcing this to my local Subie dealer. Buuuut figured I’ll poll the peanut gallery nonetheless!

For what it’s worth, this will purely be for a hitch bike rack so I’m not messing with any lights/electronics. Hitch will never be used for towing, or at least not by me.

Reactions: 1

21 - 39 of 39 Posts

Andy1

· #21 · 3 mo ago

"I like to think I'm at least average with this sort of stuff, but have seen many statistics about how 75% of people think they're above average."

I don't want to argue, but I think the number is more like 90% !

Alaska-now I see why it is "only" $75 for two, but it does sound good!

Good luck with the project.

Firebug85

· #22 · 3 mo ago

pdxeca said:
Hell..I'll come up and do it for Moose's Tooth.

Shoot I’m in with @pdxeca on doing it for Moose Tooth!! The install is fairly easy. My biggest worry was breaking a clip during the removal process of the bumper and interior pieces. You could alway pull the phone a friend and message anyone of us.

packout

· #23 · 3 mo ago

GirlGoneRogue said:
Wow!! I didn't realize how fancy schmancy y'all are! Or maybe I'm SERIOUSLY underestimating the pain of this hitch install...

We're simple folk up here in Alaska. If any of you know Anchorage, pizza + beer + peanut butter pie at Moose's Tooth will be the reward for the labor. Depending on the beer volume, that tab shouldn't exceed $75 (even with the new ridiculous "inflationary" pricing on those insanely delicious pizzas) and we'll have a few slices for leftovers!

the The Rondy Reindeer Sandwich looks good! what do you think they will charge to DoorDash it to Denver?

Firebug85

· #24 · 3 mo ago

One thing I did forget to mention, the dealer was kind enough to give me the install instructions. I don't recall what I did with them but it wouldn't hurt to ask or search the web. I watch one of the videos available back in 2021 but mainly followed the provided instructions during the install process. it would be a good idea to purchase a torque wrench. The wire harness has sticky pads you will need to attach to the body. If I remember correctly the instructions show where to install them. Make sure the surfaces are completely clean before installing them.

Tensubies

· #25 · 3 mo ago

You should contact a trailer hitch dealer and get a quote for a Curt hitch. Superior design and about $550.

pdxeca

· #26 · 3 mo ago

curtisbergthold said:
You should contact a trailer hitch dealer and get a quote for a Curt hitch. Superior design and about $550.

LOLWUT? ROFLNOPE.

I had one, because I listened to someone like you who didn't know what they were talking about. It was terrible and dangerous.

Reactions: 2

DanLee

· #27 · 3 mo ago

wireless1949 said:
I am old as well but $200 to etrailer and an hour installation while watching their video on an iPad and I was done including electrical. Many folks do not do welll at DIY as they simply do not have the right tools.

I have the right tools. I worked on my own cars for over 60 years, from normal maintenance to rebuilding engines, but getting close to 80 isn't conducive to the kinds of bodily contortions that came easily even 20 years ago. My days of shade tree mechanicing are done.

Reactions: 1

packout

· #28 · 3 mo ago

curtisbergthold said:
You should contact a trailer hitch dealer and get a quote for a Curt hitch. Superior design and about $550.

I'll leave the slamming of that thought to others. Prepare yourself.

Reactions: 1

Andy1

· #29 · 3 mo ago

She has the part, so I doubt she will choose to dump it and then buy a hitch that many here have criticized. I have no experience with the other hitches, but did have the dealer (or the port?) put mine on at purchase. I have yet to use it though; I got it mainly for a bike rack which I have managed to avoid mounting by putting my bike in the Ascent or in the back seat of my sedan.

Reactions: 1

Tensubies

· #30 · 3 mo ago

packout said:
I'll leave the slamming of that thought to others. Prepare yourself.

No slamming necessary, please educate me. I want to put out correct information! Thanks

sparkyCGFL

· #31 · 3 mo ago

I’ll throw my two cents in…
First, watch some more videos. You might be amazed at how many times you can watch, essentially the same thing, and then pick up an extremely helpful hint or two on the very last video.
Second, if you’re going to do this job, why in the world wouldn’t you try to put the hitch wiring in also? good luck and
Stay safe

Jim_in_PA

· #32 · 3 mo ago

curtisbergthold said:
You should contact a trailer hitch dealer and get a quote for a Curt hitch. Superior design and about $550.

Nope. Definitely not superior design...for multiple reasons.

www.ascentforums.com

GET THE OEM HITCH. NOTHING ELSE.

TRAILER HITCHES Just some reminders - for ANY recent model year Subie (and ALL model years built on the SGP), there is only ONE series of trailer hitches that: Properly integrates into the Ascent, Outback, Forester and Ouback Wilderness & Forester Wilderness frames, using multiple perpendicular...

www.ascentforums.com

www.ascentforums.com

Reactions: 3

dhansen12

· #33 · 3 mo ago

packout said:
watch for yourself. Its very detailed and clear to follow for a movie night in advance of an install. I hope that $75 is just for one of you, otherwise I would advise him to renegotiate.

I was able to do my self in very handy. I did purchase a torque wrench. Insert each bolt at the proper torque. I was very please tell me outcome.

Reactions: 1

Tensubies

· #34 · 3 mo ago

Jim_in_PA said:
Nope. Definitely not superior design...for multiple reasons.

GET THE OEM HITCH. NOTHING ELSE.

TRAILER HITCHES Just some reminders - for ANY recent model year Subie (and ALL model years built on the SGP), there is only ONE series of trailer hitches that: Properly integrates into the Ascent, Outback, Forester and Ouback Wilderness & Forester Wilderness frames, using multiple perpendicular...

www.ascentforums.com

Thanks for the great information!

Reactions: 1

joegeib

· #35 · 3 mo ago

I did the OEM install on my (gone) 2017 OB. It wasn't bad. Just methodical and made sure everything came off and went in/on right. I could/would do it again if I had to.

Note: the hitch on my Ascent came from the factory.

Reactions: 1

Whitfit

· #36 · 3 mo ago

I did a hitch install on my Forester a couple of years ago. It wasn't mechanically or technically hard, but was difficult to work under the car without a lift, and the hitch was really heavy and positioning and mounting it at the same time was really hard as a 1 person job. I got it done, but for my new Ascent I'm picking up next week I'm getting a hitch install by the dealer. For me it was worth it, as the price difference was worth the reduced time and effort for me. YMMV. If I had someone with the patience and strength to help me do it, plus some ramps to work under, I'd consider doing it myself.

Reactions: 2

Hugh Jass

· #37 · 7 d ago

Great info on this thread for an Ascent newbie. Picked up a new 2023 Ascent Onyx last week, part of the negotiation was for the dealer to throw in a trailer hitch plus install, which may happen next week. Any advice on what to look for or ask about before and after the install? I watched videos about the install process before buying since Subaru seems to ship every model to Northern VA without a hitch. I'm not wild about the dealer taking apart a new car, but no choice if I want the hitch.

DanLee

· #38 · 7 d ago

I had mine installed at Farrish. They did the job but forgot to put the cover back on. I asked for it and the service manager didn't know what I was talking about. Had to go back into the service bays and look for it plus the pins to hold it on.

Reactions: 3

Titanrx8

· #39 · 7 d ago

Hugh Jass said:
Great info on this thread for an Ascent newbie. Picked up a new 2023 Ascent Onyx last week, part of the negotiation was for the dealer to throw in a trailer hitch plus install, which may happen next week. Any advice on what to look for or ask about before and after the install? I watched videos about the install process before buying since Subaru seems to ship every model to Northern VA without a hitch. I'm not wild about the dealer taking apart a new car, but no choice if I want the hitch.

You might want to ask them to return the bumper bar that they are removing in case you ever decide to remove the receiver for any reason. The bumper bar is mandatory to get reinstalled if the receiver is removed.

Reactions: 3

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