While I don't plan on pulling a trailer, my son-in-law has a little utility trailer that I might use sometime. To make this legal, I wanted to install a 4-pin flat trailer plug so the trailer's brake lights, turn signals, and emergency flashers work. I found this Tekonsha T-One vehicle wiring harness with 4-pole flat trailer connector, Item # 118467, on etrailer.com. It's made especially for the Crosstrek.

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Tekonsha/118467.html?etam=b0008

It's an easy, plug-in installation using the OEM Subaru plug that is taped under the rear plastic trim cover. The trim cover is removed by taking out two push pins and pulling up to release it from clips. Remove the tape from the OEM plug and plug the T-One harness in. Then, stick the little box that is part of the harness behind the left rear trim panel with the supplied double-sided tape. Reinstall the trim panel, coil the harness up, and put it beside the spare tire.

Pull the harness and plug out of the spare compartment when needed and plug it into the trailer plug. The flat wires are designed to go through the hatch with the liftgate closed. There's no harm to anything doing this. The plug can be routed to the exterior and attached (somehow) beside the hitch, but it exposes the harness wiring to the hot exhaust, so I didn't want to do that.

 

I see wildxtrek installed this same hitch earlier this month. I want to tell you about what I did, too.

I needed a 2" trailer hitch receiver for my bike rack. As far as I know, there aren't any 2024 Wilderness front winch mounts and I don't want to install a 2023 or earlier bumper/mount, so I'll also use the hitch receiver for my Warn AXON 55-S multi-mount winch in case I get stuck. The usual aftermarket hitches are priced well but hang down and are too visible on the Wilderness. The OEM hitch is okay but is priced out of my budget after adding in the dealer's installation cost (I didn't want to disassemble/assemble the back end of the Wilderness).

I've purchased a hitch from etrailer.com before and liked their service. Searching their site for 2024 Subaru Crosstrek parts, I found this 2" Class III EcoHitch Stealth Hitch Receiver, Item # 306-X7365:

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/EcoHitch/306-X7365.html?etam=b0008

I liked this because the hitch cross tube is concealed behind the rear bumper, even on the Crosstrek Wilderness, and the receiver is removable and unbolts from the hitch when not in use. The receiver is stainless steel so I can say goodbye to rust worries. While I will never get near these capacities, the gross towing capacity is 3,500 pounds and the maximum tongue weight is 525 pounds.

The installation was pretty easy, although another person helping lift the hitch cross tube made it easier to not push the bolts back into the frame holes while getting it in place. I enlisted my son-in-law to help. The instructions stated that the exhaust had to be lowered, but I didn't do that (I didn't remove the rear bumper, either) and we had no problem getting the cross tube up to the subframe. Important - I used an impact driver with a 3/4" socket to spin the nuts up once they were started. It would be challenging to get the nuts tightened with a ratchet or open-end wrench, as the bolts spin while tightening.

The 2" Class III EcoHitch Stealth Hitch Receiver, Item # 306-X7365, arrived with no scratches or scrapes and came with everything needed for an easy installation:
View attachment 321886

I removed the front and rear rubber plugs in the subframe on both sides and using the supplied fish wire, got the black plates, star washers, and bolts into the frame:
View attachment 321887

With the help of my son-in-law, we lifted the hitch cross tube and, while being careful not to push the bolts back into the subframe, installed it over the hanging bolts. The holes in the cross tube are large so this isn't hard. With my helper holding it up, I placed two fender washers, a lock washer, and a nut on each bolt. Once the nuts started, I tightened them all with my impact driver and 3/4" socket. Even using the impact, they spun for a while before tightening down. I then torqued the nuts to 75 lb-ft.
View attachment 321888

The stainless steel receiver fits into the cross tube and is secured with a 5/8" bolt that is torqued to 112 lb-ft. and doesn't rattle:
View attachment 321889

The installed receiver doesn't hang down too far, nor does it stick out too much:
View attachment 321890

Without the hitch, the only thing hanging down a little is the tube where the hitch inserts. There's almost no reduction in departure angle:
View attachment 321891

View attachment 321892

wildxtrek also has good photos in his thread. I didn't remove the rear bumper during my installation, though.

 

If you are going to remove the rear bumper the OEM hitch is definitely more involved, but a very solid design. Worth it especially if you are looking to tow over 1000lbs.

Sadly I didn’t take detailed pics, but the OEM replaces the rear bumper, and adds 3 stout pieces joined at the unibody on each side with the hitch replacing the lighter/thinner bumper brace.

 

The OEM hitch is quality and is what I planned until the dealer quoted the installation cost. I like the EcoHitch as the receiver can be removed when not in use and the departure angle is hardly impacted. Its towing capacity is also 3500 pounds and maximum tongue weight is 525 pounds. Thanks, Cwg33, for the photos.

 

I just ordered an etrailer hitch. I don't have any plans to tow, but I want to be able use my bike rack. It worked fine on my Fiat 500. If I decide to tow a trailer later I can buy the wiring kit.