How hard is it to install a trailer hitch?

gnildronde · 05-21-2003, 07:10 PM

I'm wondering how difficult installing a trailer hitch is. I'm going to U-Haul to get one and I'm wondering if I should have them install it or do it myself.

How hard is it to install one on a 2003 WRX?

COwannago · 05-21-2003, 07:43 PM

WRX Harvey has a hitch, PM him and he can give you the skinny.

Nick C.

Nordstone · 05-21-2003, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by COwannago
WRX Harvey has a hitch, PM him and he can give you the skinny.

Nick C.

a.k.a. gnildronde

thank you sir

iguanamafia · 05-22-2003, 09:22 PM

I put one on it wasnt hard, I had to cut i tiny piece of the underside of the bumper skin. But truly not very noticeable unless you are looking for it. I paid 132 delivered to my door. I think the name of the company was trailerhitches4less.com but im not positive, i just searched for trailer hitches and subaru wrx 2003. Took about 20 minutes. Good luck.

Iggy

Nordstone · 05-23-2003, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by iguanamafia
I put one on it wasnt hard, I had to cut i tiny piece of the underside of the bumper skin. But truly not very noticeable unless you are looking for it. I paid 132 delivered to my door. I think the name of the company was trailerhitches4less.com but im not positive, i just searched for trailer hitches and subaru wrx 2003. Took about 20 minutes. Good luck.

Iggy

I'll try that site. Thanks

MooBob42 · 05-23-2003, 01:41 AM

I put a hitch from http://www.etrailer.com/ on my wagon and it was a pain in the ass, but I didn't have any power tools. The actual install wasn't difficult and I didn't have to cut my bumper, but I ran into a few annoying problems.

The hitch is pretty sensitive to the order in which you tighten all the bolts. I'd suggest starting with the right (passenger's side) of the car first.

Also, prying the exhaust off the rubber hangers would have been impossible without some pliers I had lying around. The exhaust hanger is also supposed to bolt back on to the hitch itself, but it doesn't quite reach all the way so my muffler looks slightly tilted (but it's still secure).

If I had to do it all over again, if the install is like $50, I'd just pay the money and have them do it.

gnildronde · 05-23-2003, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MooBob42
I put a hitch from http://www.etrailer.com/ on my wagon and it was a pain in the ass, but I didn't have any power tools. The actual install wasn't difficult and I didn't have to cut my bumper, but I ran into a few annoying problems.

The hitch is pretty sensitive to the order in which you tighten all the bolts. I'd suggest starting with the right (passenger's side) of the car first.

Also, prying the exhaust off the rubber hangers would have been impossible without some pliers I had lying around. The exhaust hanger is also supposed to bolt back on to the hitch itself, but it doesn't quite reach all the way so my muffler looks slightly tilted (but it's still secure).

If I had to do it all over again, if the install is like $50, I'd just pay the money and have them do it.

What about the wiring? Did you do the wiring yourself?

kcscoob · 05-23-2003, 11:25 PM

Use some W-D 40 on the hangers, it works wonders. There are 3 bolts on each side. Be carefull you can misthread them. Not that know or anything.

KCSCOOB
KC MISSOURI

ITWRX4ME · 05-27-2003, 09:02 PM

I installed a hitch on my '02 sedan and did the wiring myself. The hitch was a piece of cake. I don't remember off hand the name of the place I got it from. Just don't try to get one from JC Whitney. They falsely claim to have a hitch to fit '93-'03 Impreza but they get the hitch from Hidden Hitch and it does NOT fit model year '02 and on.

Anyway, I also had to cut the bumper just a tad on the inner edge, maybe 1 square inch. It's not noticeable. Probably depends on the brand of the hitch you select.

The wiring is another matter. You'll need to get a trailer light controller. It's a module that mounts in the trunk and requires it's own power source. That means you have to run a 10-12 guage wire from the battery to the module.

There isn't any easy path that I could find through the firewall. There are grommets covering holes in the firewall, but there are components in the backside that block the way for wires.

There is a path behind the driver side fender and into the footwell, just above and in front of the fuse box. But, that would mean removing the fender to route the wire. I haven't been up for that.

What I did was route a 10 guage wire from the trailer light controller around the driverside of the trunk(behind the inner lining), through the hole next to the strut top, down the trim next to the rear seat back, under the trim along the door sills and up into the foot well. I left about four feet of loose wire. When I want to hook up the trailer, I extend the wire up over the door, just in front of the mirror, under the hood and connect it to a section of wire I have permanently attached to the battery. This is a 6 inch section of wire with a fuse holder in it. When I'm not using it, I pull the fuse and keep it in the coin tray. That prevents any power from reaching the connector on the end.

Maybe someday I'll get the energy to pull the fender and route the wire properly. 'Til then, ITWRX4ME.

Hope that helps.

MooBob42 · 05-28-2003, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gnildronde

What about the wiring? Did you do the wiring yourself?

Oh, I only installed a hitch to mount a bike rack so I didn't install any wiring.

orndog · 05-28-2003, 11:03 PM

Considering an OBS comes with the wiring, I'm surprised there's not an easy route already available.

Peaty · 05-28-2003, 11:09 PM

OEM install here:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...ighlight=hitch

Peaty

WRX03 · 05-29-2003, 08:42 AM

My 03 wagon came with a wiring connection for the subaru hitch/harness. It was tucked in behind the plastic panel in the corner. I've still haven't seen if an 03 sedan does also.

gnildronde · 05-29-2003, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peaty
OEM install here:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...ighlight=hitch

Peaty

That's very helpful, thanks. I don't know why I didn't look in the mods section?

Peaty · 05-29-2003, 03:04 PM

There is a hitch instal in the legacy section that I did that has more pictures. It's for the Legacy but my guess is it's pretty similar to a point.

Peaty

05-21-2003, 07:10 PM	#1
gnildronde Scooby Newbie Member#: 10028 Join Date: Sep 2001	How hard is it to install a trailer hitch? I'm wondering how difficult installing a trailer hitch is. I'm going to U-Haul to get one and I'm wondering if I should have them install it or do it myself. How hard is it to install one on a 2003 WRX?

05-23-2003, 11:25 PM	#8
kcscoob Scooby Newbie Member#: 31222 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Overland Park, KS Vehicle: 2005 05 Legacy GT w RED, 5 speed	Hitch Use some W-D 40 on the hangers, it works wonders. There are 3 bolts on each side. Be carefull you can misthread them. Not that know or anything. KCSCOOB KC MISSOURI

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05-21-2003, 07:43 PM	#2
COwannago Scooby Specialist Member#: 6972 Join Date: May 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Aurora, Colorado	WRX Harvey has a hitch, PM him and he can give you the skinny. Nick C.

05-22-2003, 09:22 PM	#4
iguanamafia Scooby Specialist Member#: 23426 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: NH USA Vehicle: 2010 Forester Road Grime	I put one on it wasnt hard, I had to cut i tiny piece of the underside of the bumper skin. But truly not very noticeable unless you are looking for it. I paid 132 delivered to my door. I think the name of the company was trailerhitches4less.com but im not positive, i just searched for trailer hitches and subaru wrx 2003. Took about 20 minutes. Good luck. Iggy

05-23-2003, 01:41 AM	#6
MooBob42 Scooby Newbie Member#: 14644 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: San Jose, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sport Wagon WR Blue	I put a hitch from http://www.etrailer.com/ on my wagon and it was a pain in the ass, but I didn't have any power tools. The actual install wasn't difficult and I didn't have to cut my bumper, but I ran into a few annoying problems. The hitch is pretty sensitive to the order in which you tighten all the bolts. I'd suggest starting with the right (passenger's side) of the car first. Also, prying the exhaust off the rubber hangers would have been impossible without some pliers I had lying around. The exhaust hanger is also supposed to bolt back on to the hitch itself, but it doesn't quite reach all the way so my muffler looks slightly tilted (but it's still secure). If I had to do it all over again, if the install is like $50, I'd just pay the money and have them do it.

05-27-2003, 09:02 PM	#9
ITWRX4ME Scooby Specialist Member#: 24472 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Marshall, Virginia Vehicle: 2001 Miata White	I installed a hitch on my '02 sedan and did the wiring myself. The hitch was a piece of cake. I don't remember off hand the name of the place I got it from. Just don't try to get one from JC Whitney. They falsely claim to have a hitch to fit '93-'03 Impreza but they get the hitch from Hidden Hitch and it does NOT fit model year '02 and on. Anyway, I also had to cut the bumper just a tad on the inner edge, maybe 1 square inch. It's not noticeable. Probably depends on the brand of the hitch you select. The wiring is another matter. You'll need to get a trailer light controller. It's a module that mounts in the trunk and requires it's own power source. That means you have to run a 10-12 guage wire from the battery to the module. There isn't any easy path that I could find through the firewall. There are grommets covering holes in the firewall, but there are components in the backside that block the way for wires. There is a path behind the driver side fender and into the footwell, just above and in front of the fuse box. But, that would mean removing the fender to route the wire. I haven't been up for that. What I did was route a 10 guage wire from the trailer light controller around the driverside of the trunk(behind the inner lining), through the hole next to the strut top, down the trim next to the rear seat back, under the trim along the door sills and up into the foot well. I left about four feet of loose wire. When I want to hook up the trailer, I extend the wire up over the door, just in front of the mirror, under the hood and connect it to a section of wire I have permanently attached to the battery. This is a 6 inch section of wire with a fuse holder in it. When I'm not using it, I pull the fuse and keep it in the coin tray. That prevents any power from reaching the connector on the end. Maybe someday I'll get the energy to pull the fender and route the wire properly. 'Til then, ITWRX4ME. Hope that helps.

05-28-2003, 11:03 PM	#11
orndog Scooby Specialist Member#: 34670 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: West TN Vehicle: 2003 OBS PSM	Considering an OBS comes with the wiring, I'm surprised there's not an easy route already available.

05-28-2003, 11:09 PM	#12
Peaty Techno Sapien Moderator Member#: 449 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lawrence, KS Vehicle: 04' Forester XT- MT Cobb - Stage 2+	OEM install here: http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...ighlight=hitch Peaty

05-29-2003, 08:42 AM	#13
WRX03 Scooby Specialist Member#: 20744 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Goodview, VA-SML Vehicle: 05 Baja Regal Blue 03 WRX Little Red Wagon	My 03 wagon came with a wiring connection for the subaru hitch/harness. It was tucked in behind the plastic panel in the corner. I've still haven't seen if an 03 sedan does also.

05-29-2003, 03:04 PM	#15
Peaty Techno Sapien Moderator Member#: 449 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lawrence, KS Vehicle: 04' Forester XT- MT Cobb - Stage 2+	There is a hitch instal in the legacy section that I did that has more pictures. It's for the Legacy but my guess is it's pretty similar to a point. Peaty