

Your Subaru Forester Trailer Hitch is Here
Welcome, Subaru Forester owners! You've come to the right place to find the perfect trailer hitch for your vehicle. Whether you're towing for the first time or upgrading your existing setup, CURT has custom hitches designed to fit your Forester's style and model-year seamlessly. Explore our selection, find the ideal hitch for your needs, and complete your towing setup with wiring, ball mounts, and more. Browse our selection of Subaru Forester hitches below and look up your year, make, and model to start towing with confidence.
Find a Hitch | Installation Help | Essential Accessories | Upgrades | FAQs
Benefits of CURT Subaru Hitches
CURT is an industry-leading trailer hitch manufacturer, and our hitches for the Subaru Forester are no exception to the quality standards we invest in each of our products. CURT hitches stand apart in their engineering, construction, finish, and warranty to give you a better towing experience with every adventure.
- Custom fit for original equipment look and feel
- Dual-coat finish for enhanced corrosion resistance
- Open-back receiver tube for easy cleaning
- Standard receiver sizes
- Comprehensive, in-house safety testing
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Made in USA (some hitches may include imported hardware)
Subaru Forester Hitch Installation
Installing a tow hitch on your Subaru Forester is made easier with CURT's custom-fit approach. A custom hitch means fewer modifications like drilling or trimming, and an overall more seamless look and feel.
If you're not confident about installing yourself, it's okay to ask for help! With CURT's extensive dealer-installer network, you can easily find a hitch professional in your local area.
Example Hitch Installation on 2014 Subaru Forester:
Hitch Installation Instruction Examples
CURT offers detailed installation instructions with each of its custom hitches, including trailer hitches for the Subaru Forester. Browse the installation PDFs below to get an idea of the steps involved. Be sure to follow the instructions included with your specific hitch.
Subaru Forester Towing Essentials
To get your Subaru Forester road-ready, you'll need to complement your trailer hitch with a few towing essentials. You'll need a standard wiring harness to plug in the trailer lights, a ball mount attachment hook up the trailer coupler, etc. Be sure to confirm fitment with your particular model-year of Forester before purchase!
Trailer Wiring Harnesses for Subaru Forester
Essential Hitch Accessories


1. Ball Mount
This accessory inserts into the receiver tube of your Subaru hitch and provides a connection point (trailer ball) for the trailer coupler. Be sure to choose a ball mount that fits in terms of shank size, ball diameter, weight capacity, and drop or rise.


2. Hitch Pin
A hitch pin holds the ball mount or other hitch accessory in the receiver tube of your Subaru Forester hitch. Be sure to choose a hitch pin that matches the hole diameter of your receiver. Note, some ball mounts come with a hitch pin included!


3. Hitch Tube Cover
A hitch tube cover keeps your hitch protected when not in use. Your Subaru Forester hitch will come with an open back for easy cleaning, but a cover makes it that much easier to keep clean. Be sure to choose a hitch cover that matches the receiver tube opening.
Subaru Forester Hitch Upgrades
No Subaru Forester towing setup is complete without a few upgrades. A receiver hitch makes your vehicle that much more versatile, allowing you to add popular accessories like a bike rack or cargo carrier. When choosing hitch upgrades for your ride, be sure to check the shank size and weight of the accessory to know for certain they're a good match for your vehicle's capabilites.


Subaru Forester Hitch FAQs
1. What size is a Subaru Forester hitch?
A Subaru Forester tow hitch comes in two size options: 1-1/4” or 2”. This means you can choose between a 1-1/4” x 1-1/4” receiver tube opening or a 2” x 2” receiver tube opening. Both are standardized options and will accept a variety of hitch accessories. Generally, a 2” receiver has more accessory options than the 1-1/4”.
2. How much weight can I tow with my Subaru Forester hitch?
The amount of weight you can tow with your Subaru Forester all depends on your specific model-year and package. Some Subaru Foresters are rated to tow as much as 1,500 or even 3,000 lbs. It’s important to abide by the manufacturer’s specifications and consult the owner’s manual for your vehicle. It’s also important to note that hitch weight ratings may be higher than the towing capacity of the vehicle, but that does not increase the towing capacity of the vehicle. You must always abide by the lowest-rated towing component.
3. How do I know which hitch fits my specific Subaru Forester year and trim package?
The best way to know which hitch fits your specific Subaru Forester is to use the CURT vehicle lookup tool at the top of our trailer hitch page. Regardless of your year, sub-model, style, or trim package, the lookup will guide you to your available options.
4. Does the Subaru Forester come with a trailer hitch?
Some Subaru Foresters are available with a trailer hitch and tow package from the factory, but it all depends on the specific year, make, and model. If you’re interested in purchasing a Forester with a hitch already installed, it may be best to contact local dealerships in your area and ask for available options.
5. Can I purchase a hitch for my Subaru Forester locally?
Yes, you can purchase and have a hitch installed on your Subaru Forester locally. We recommend using CURT’s store locator to find a hitch shop in your area, then contacting that shop for a quote.
6. Can I install the hitch on my Subaru Forester myself?
You can install a hitch on your Subaru Forester yourself, but you need the correct tools. Each hitch installation can be a little different, some requiring no modifications at all to the vehicle, while others are more involved. CURT’s custom-fit design approach allows the installation to be as easy as possible, with as few modifications as possible. Take time to review the installation instructions of the specific hitch you’re considering and decide if it’s something you can manage on your own. If not, you can always find a local hitch shop to install it for you.
7. What class hitch is best for a Subaru Forester?
Choosing the right class hitch for a Subaru Forester typically depends on what you plan to tow. For light to moderate towing, a Class 2 hitch is usually sufficient. It can handle trailers, bike racks, and small boats, among other things. However, if you're planning to tow heavier loads, a Class 3 hitch might be more appropriate. It offers a higher towing capacity and greater versatility. Always check your vehicle's towing capacity and consult with a professional to ensure you select the right hitch for your needs.
Disclaimer: These photographs, recommendations, and approximations are intended for demonstration purposes only and do not reflect the specifications of any particular tow vehicle, recreational vehicle, or trailer. Always consult the manufacturer’s Owner's Manual. All third-party product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks shown are the property of their respective trademark holders, and use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.