Hitch Brands

tommytruck · Post by **tommytruck** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 6:14 pm

Hitch manufacturers? I'm confused between the 3 main brands I've seen...any advantages/disadvantages between them? They all look different on their mounting points but that might not matter. Also there is quite a price difference amongst them on ebay,how is that possible ? What do you Baha hitch owners think? tnx....tommy

sfeather11 · Post by **sfeather11** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 6:36 pm

I went with the oem Subaru hitch. The mounting nuts are already welded in place in the rear crossmembers and the correct bolts are provided. Super easy install. The hitch itself even is pre-bent to clear your exhaust. Will take (at most) an hour by yourself. Your car is even pre-wired for the trailer harness (which is also included). You can't go wrong...

Peace!

canuck37 · Post by **canuck37** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:31 am

sfeather11 wrote:I went with the oem Subaru hitch. The mounting nuts are already welded in place in the rear crossmembers and the correct bolts are provided. Super easy install. The hitch itself even is pre-bent to clear your exhaust. Will take (at most) an hour by yourself. Your car is even pre-wired for the trailer harness (which is also included). You can't go wrong...

Peace!

Ditto on the OEM hitch. There are a ton of posts on this issue in the archives and on the Baja Forum site. For ease of install, and peace of mind, go OEM!!

kman.45 · Post by **kman.45** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:20 am

Mine came with the Hidden Hitch. It tucks under nicely, can just see the hitch bar under the bumper, but it looks pretty clean. Receiver does not protrude.

I have the OEM hitch on my '11 Outback, and you can only see the receiver. While the install looks a bit cleaner, the receiver sticks out a good 2 inches past the bumper, which I find a bit irritating, certainly no reason it needs to be that way.

BlueRu · Post by **BlueRu** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 1:40 pm

kman.45 wrote:Mine came with the Hidden Hitch. It tucks under nicely, can just see the hitch bar under the bumper, but it looks pretty clean. Receiver does not protrude.

Is "Hidden Hitch" the brand? I don't getting any hits searching eBay.

Thanks,

R

offroadohio · Post by **offroadohio** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:01 pm

$100 more for an oem hitch VS an aftermarket, Ive sene plenty fo aftermarkets that bolt identical to the oem. $100 for the oem harness... $32 for an aftermarket. Seems simple enough.

sfeather11 · Post by **sfeather11** » Wed Jul 20, 2011 5:22 am

OEM harness is included with the hitch. You do not pay extra... poof! I just saved you 100 bucks!

Peace!

tommytruck · Post by **tommytruck** » Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:05 pm

I don't know..still researching various hitches. I've noticed an enthusiastic response in favor of the oem equipment..tnx for feedback, however(and quite possibly it's just me not trusting enough anymore) the exuberance of the response for oem smacks of a bias reflective of someone with a vested interest. I do hope these boards are neutral and bi partisan. Besides....I really don't want to spend 300 for an oem if a aftermarket will do at 150....respectfully....tommy

canuck37 · Post by **canuck37** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 2:21 pm

tommytruck wrote:I don't know..still researching various hitches. I've noticed an enthusiastic response in favor of the oem equipment..tnx for feedback, however(and quite possibly it's just me not trusting enough anymore) the exuberance of the response for oem smacks of a bias reflective of someone with a vested interest. I do hope these boards are neutral and bi partisan. Besides....I really don't want to spend 300 for an oem if a aftermarket will do at 150....respectfully....tommy

Totally unbiased from me - and I only paid about $150 online for my OEM hitch inc. harness..........whatever works for every individual. I've been burned by aftermarket stuff before (like UHAUL!) so won't go that route again. You get what you pay for.

offroadohio · Post by **offroadohio** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 6:22 pm

Better call and check again. I called 3 dealers ( the three closest to me) all of them qouted pretty close to identical prices, and all of them required the harness be purchased seperately.

Now if one could be found for under $200 with harness liek canuck says thats OEM.. no doubt go that route. but $300+ as I was qouted from 3 differant dealers, no way

sfeather11 · Post by **sfeather11** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:40 am

Look. I'm just trying to relay my experience and help someone save time, money, & effort. The exact purpose of this website...

I purchased an OEM hitch online (Baja part # L1010LS202) for a little over $200 and easily installed it myself. No cutting, drill, or fitment issues. I turned a few bolts and was done.

The harness was included. It plugged right in and worked perfect. No cutting, crimping, or splicing. If you take it to an aftermarket shop, I imagine some yahoo will probably have to drill in a few places to install bolts or something, or cut & splice in to your tail light wires to make a harness work... Not something I am comfortable with.

Definitely look online instead of purchasing from a dealer (I too, do not like or trust dealers). Cheaper price, same exact product, delivered right to your door...

This website is one of many where you can find an OEM hitch. Note that description in the 1st link clearly says WIRING HARNESS INCLUDED.
http://subaru.dealerfit.com/store/subar ... 1_1217.php
http://www.subarupartsmall.com/product.aspx?zpid=630
http://www.subarupartspeople.com/Search ... iler+Hitch+

Jesus, it's a hitch. A bar, bolts, and a harness. Keep It Simple, Silly!!!

offroadohio · Post by **offroadohio** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:12 am

I just got off the phone with all of the dealerships I called again. They all tried to sell me the harness seperate again. This time I tossed the partn umber you just listed in thier face and asked them why on all the OEM parts sites it says wiring included. All 3 used the " I'm sorry, I must have overlooked that" excuse.

.

In my fuse box I have a spot without a fuse in it that says TRAILER, do I need to get a fuse in there to get the factory wires working, or is that for a trailer brake controller?

tommytruck · Post by **tommytruck** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 5:17 pm

Lol..didn't mean to start a debate...just couldn't figure out why dealer gets twice what the aftermarket cost....maybe there is higher grade steel or thicker or engineered better. Anyway..went with the Curt...easy to mount and cost effective. Still need harness for lights, I assume this is just a plug with wires out for lights or does it need an electronic box? I thought the 2004 Baha was plug and play ready at the back harness??????? tommy

offroadohio · Post by **offroadohio** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 4:16 am

you need to buy a harness with a tail light converter they'll be 20 dollars or so and you'll need to splice in behind the tail lights.

If you know enough about wires you cna probably just get a regualr 4way connecotr and cut the plug fromt eh factory harness near the RR tire and splice them togather. The wires are there but only the OEM harness thats $100.. or included with the hitch is required to simply plug it in.

Takaaco · Post by **Takaaco** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:43 pm

im getting ready to order this one. http://www.hitchanything.com/2003-2006- ... 4Aod73EAMA

Its a Curt and it comes with a wiring harness and its only $150 with free shipping.

scoobytruck.com

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