Trailer Hitch Installation - 2008 Subaru Outback Wagon - Draw-Tite

Products Featured in this Video

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

460 reviews

Code: 75560

Retail: $332.56

Price:  $235.34

• Trailer Hitch
• Custom Fit Hitch
• Class III
• 400 lbs TW
• 4000 lbs GTW

• 2 Inch Hitch
• Visible Cross Tube
• Draw-Tite

Fully welded vehicle trailer hitch is strong and durable. Draw-Tite's Tested Tough guarantee ensures that this hitch exceeds industry standards. The combination of an E-coat base and a powder coat finish provides excellent rust protection.

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How to Install a Trailer Hitch on a 2008 Subaru Outback Wagon

Today on our 2008 Subaru Outback Wagon we'll be installing the Draw-Tite Hitch, part number 75560. Here's what our hitch will look like once it's installed. Next, we'll go ahead and give you a couple measurements to assist you in selecting accessories for your new hitch. From the center of the hitch pinhole to the outermost edge of the bumper is six inches. From the top of the receiver tube opening to the ground is thirteen and a half inches. This will assist you in selecting accessories such as a ball mount, bike rack, or cargo carrier.

We'll now go ahead with the installation. Before we lower the exhaust we're going to put a safety strap underneath so that after we remove the rubber isolators that hold the exhaust in place we can use the safety strap to safely lower the weight of the exhaust. Now with my safety strap in place we'll go ahead and point out the rubber isolators that will need to be removed. Starting here, in front of the rear axle, while it's not necessary, we're going to go ahead and remove it to give ourselves a little more working room. The four that are required to be removed, there are two on the inside, one for each muffler, and two on the outside for a total of four. To remove the rubber isolators from the metal hangers we're going to spray each one with a spray lubricant and then use a pry bar and pliers to remove it from the hanger. Now with the rubber isolators out of the way we'll go ahead and use our safety strap to safely bring down the weight of the exhaust.

Next, we'll need to remove one of the manufacturer's bolts. Here, the forward bolt, closest to the front of the vehicle, will need to be removed. This will then become the rear attachment point for our hitch. We'll need to do this on both sides. Keep in mind as we're removing our hardware and installing our hitch they're identical on each side so each process we do here on the driver's side will get repeated identically on the passenger's side.

Now we've exposed the rear attachment point, we'll go ahead and expose the forward attachment point by removing the rubber plug here at the middle of the heat shield. It exposes the weld nut built into the frame by the manufacturer. Now before we attempt to install the new hardware into the hole we're going to go ahead and clean it out. We'll use our spray lubricant and half inch nylon tube brush, part number 814092. Spray down the threads real good and then clean it out. Quick tech tip: To make sure your threads are cleaned out you can take one of the new fasteners, run it into the well nut to make sure it'll go in nice and easily.

Next, we need to determine how many blocks are needed, one or two, to compensate for the space of the bracket that's bolted to the rear attachment point and bumper. As you can see, if we install one block at the forward attachment point it'll be enough compensation and it'll bolt our hitch up evenly. Next, we're going to have a fifth attachment point, and this will be utilizing the manufacturers tow hook. Going down through the tow hook, it'll go through the hitch, where we'll install a half inch conkle tooth washer and nut. Keep in mind that the teeth of the washer will face the hitch. We're now ready to put our hitch in place. It's a good idea to get an extra set of hands to help you hold the hitch while you install the tow hook hardware to hold the hitch up in position. Now with our center attachment point hardware holding the hitch in place we'll go to our forward attachment point here at the frame, we'll slide the block between the hitch and our attachment point, then, using the new ten millimeter bolt and conkle tooth washer, again the teeth of the washer will face the hitch, we'll go through the hitch, through the block, and into the weld nut. We'll install each fastener finger tight until we have them all in place. Now with all our hardware installed we'll go ahead and tighten it down. Once we have all the fasteners tightened down we can go ahead and torque to specifications as indicated in the instructions. Now with our hitch tightened and torqued to specifications we can go ahead and re-install the exhaust. With our exhaust re-installed we're ready to hit the road. That'll complete our install of the Draw-Tite Hitch, part number 75560, on our 2008 Subaru Outback Wagon. .