Trailer Hitch Install - 2012 WRX Sedan

[jdmsti04]

I didn't find anything other than for the trailer hitch for the 2011+ WRX Hatchback...so I thought I would post this here, not sure if it would help anyone but won't hurt. I am mounting this trailer hitch to haul my mountain bikes with the Yakima Holdup rear platform hitch mount.


OK. This is my first attempt at a "how to" and is not super detailed but more to reflect how much effort is required for the installation. The directions stated that it should take a mechanic 25 minutes or a novice 50 minutes to install. I say allow yourself 2-3 hours for the installation to do it right.

Car - 2012 WRX Sedan
Hitch: Curt 1 1/4 Trailer Hitch part number 11317

Note: HIGHLY RECOMMEND 2 PEOPLE INSTALL THIS DUE TO THE WEIGHT AND NEED FOR A SECOND SET OF HANDS


Step 1. Jack up car


Step 2. Drop exhaust by removing the (5) rubber exhaust hanger bushings (2 on each muffler and 1 on mid-pipe)


Step 3a. Remove rear bumper from car by removing the 2 clips on the lower undersides, 2 clips under the rear, and 2 clips at the top of the fender well where it meets the body. Be careful removing all clips and keep them someplace safe. The rear bumper will basically unsnap along the top under the lights by gently prying it off. If necessary, take a small screw driver and apply pressure from behind the bumper where the trunk liner is located (note: I removed the trunk liners for this but it is not necessary to remove them all, only the plastic piece at the trunk and the lower portion needs removed).

Step 3b. Remove the rear bumper support by removing the 3 14mm nuts from each side.


Step 4. now the area where the hitch mounts will be able to be accessed in order to fish the hardware through. Follow the instructions from Curt. http://sitepro12.sitepro.com/masterl..._11317_INS.pdf


Step 5. Once the hardware is in place, I used duct tape to secure the lower bracket plates to the trailer hitch to allow everything to line up just right. Tighten the nuts and torque them to the required specs in the instructions linked above.


Step 6. Take a look at that hitch which will be almost invisible once the rear bumper support and bumper are re-installed.


Step 7. While the bumper is off, might as well go ahead and re-hang the mufflers and mid-pipe. I used a little WD40 to grease the skids, so they say.

Step 8. Put the bumper back on the way you took it off, be gentle with it and it will work right into place. Be sure to put all clips back in. The two that go under the rear bottom will be blocked by the Curt hitch...it was a bitch, but I managed to work both of them in with some elbow grease and back side of a screw driver.

Step 9. Admire your work


Step 10. Try to see it from the side...it really is almost hidden, you wouldn't know it was there unless you were looking for it.


Good luck!

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[mechatricity]

Interesting. Just did this today on my 06 wagon. Completely different installation.

[leonel.brodhead]

I had Uhaul install (Draw-Tite 24807 Class I Sportframe Trailer Hitch Rear 1.25 in. Receiver) *
Install instructions are here http://c452191.r91.cf2.rackcdn.com/i...age/n24807.pdf*








Just got a space trailer for my Hitch. *The Affordable Lightweight Sports Trailer for Camping, Hauling, Hunting | SPACE™ Trailers

[Avalon786]

That looks great!

[wrxman02]

looks awesome. i have been waiting to see a sedan with a hitch. now i guess i can order a curt hitch for my wrx so my bicycle has a neat ride to the trails

[Aluma]

The foresters hitch fits too, but you have to cut the bumper a bit to make it fit.

[waltah]

sharing as well

[jdmsti04]

Originally Posted by Aluma

The foresters hitch fits too, but you have to cut the bumper a bit to make it fit.

Meh...why put a Forester one on when there are plenty of aftermarket ones which don't require you to cut the bumper?

Maybe early on this was the only option...now we have options.

[Aluma]

Well, I already had it, so why not. and 2nd, all the other ones have that huge draw bar across the bottom and can cause interference with custom exhausts. If I cut the little triangular plates off, all you'd see is the little rectangular tube under the bumper...very inconspicuous and lighter too since it replaces the bumper beam.

[TotalChaos]

Thank you for posting this! Getting ready to install this same hitch on my '09 sedan so to actually see someone do it before I do really helps!

[ssrx]

I apologize for jumping in...but where exactly is the install post for the hatchback?? I can't seem to find it.

[Decipher]

Nice write-up! Looks unbelievably subtle.

[Nukem]

I want one for my hatch!

[woodyak]

I did the same install on my 13 WRX Wagon. Instead of dropping the muffler I was able to get it on by peeling back the rear bumper cover. I only had to trim a small piece of bumper cover on the underside. I use it for my bike rack and hauling a small utility trailer to the dump and back. I did load up the trailer and did a 3 hour drive. It drove great w/o any problems or swaying, even at 80mph.

[BKALLDAY]

Won't the load kill your shocks? Jw..

[woodyak]

Originally Posted by BKALLDAY

Won't the load kill your shocks? Jw..

Possibly, if I hauled a fully loaded trailer all the time, but the majority of my hauling is very light weight over smooth roads over a very short distance. The bike rack itself is pretty lightweight so I'm not too worried about that either.

[Nukem]

Originally Posted by woodyak

Possibly, if I hauled a fully loaded trailer all the time, but the majority of my hauling is very light weight over smooth roads over a very short distance. The bike rack itself is pretty lightweight so I'm not too worried about that either.

Woodyak,
Do you have any pictures installed and which specific trailer hitch you have?

[TotalChaos]

I moved me and my family from Washington state to Georgia about a month ago. 4x8 trailer with about 1000 lbs on it for 2600 miles. The car did great! Even with 50mph cross winds through the dakotas I didn't once have a worry.

[woodyak]

Originally Posted by Nukem

Woodyak,
Do you have any pictures installed and which specific trailer hitch you have?

This is the trailer I have...
http://letsgoaero.com/ProductDetail.asp?Pid=96

Here you go...


With the bike...

[leonel.brodhead]

I went with SpaceTrailers.com so I can hall and attach my bikes at the same time.

[olazy]

thanks for the write up, exactly what i was looking for! are there access holes under frame rail as shown in the instructions or are they actually located at the end of rails requiring you to remove the rear bumper? also hows the clearance between the hitch and the rear bumper once its mounted up?

*edit* actually i can see the access holes underneath from your photos now. i assume it was just easier to go through the ends rather than try to squeeze them in underneath.

[Mr.Anderson]

Stoked on finding this thread. I am thinking of the possibility of putting a hitch on my stage 2 2012 sti sedan to tow a 650lb can-am outlander atv once in awhile.. It comes with a little single axle trailer that just barley fits the quad on it, the trailer looks pretty light but don't know how much it weighs. What do you guys think? Yay or Nay?

To pick up the ATV I would have to drive about 411 KM from where it is to bring it home.. bit of a long haul for the first tow trip but after that it would be pretty short tows, 90km max.. thoughts?

[Donnie25]

What is the towing capacity on 08-12 sedans? Seen a video of a 05 sti pulling a semi....in snow lol

[06BlueBeauty]

I just installed this over the weekend and it went pretty smooth. I agree with the OP that it takes About 2 hrs and you definitely need 2 people. I don't know about the towing capacity as I threw away my instructions. E-trailer.com has the spec sheet online for you to check.

Props to the OP for a good write up!

[Mike.J]

How do you hook up lead for the trailer lights? Is there a plug-n=play connector? Or do you have to splice in the wires individually?


On my Chevy, you can unplug the wiring harness behind the rear license plate. Then plug in a dongle with a male connector on one side, a female connector and the trailer plug on an 18” cable.
On my 2001 RS2.5, the Subaru dealer said that there was no such dongle for Subaru’s and I had to splice every wire into the car. That was a huge PITA. Is there a dongle available for 2008’s?