How Much Does It Cost To Install A Trailer Hitch On A Subaru Forester?


Subaru Forester Hitch Installation Cost

Have you ever wondered how much does it cost to add or install a trailer hitch on a Subaru Forester?

Subaru is a brand that is known for creating vehicles ideal for bikers, hikers, and other adventurers. The vehicle isn’t much use without a trailer hitch, though.

A hitch is what allows the Subaru to pull a trailer and other larger items along with you for the adventure.

As with everything in this world, trailer hitches cost money. You may even have to pay more if you can’t install the hitch yourself.

So, how much does a trailer hitch for a Subaru Forester cost, though? You should expect to pay between $125 and up to $400 to install a hitch on a Subaru Forester. The exact price will depend on various factors, such as size, features, towing capacity, and location.

We are going to look at how much it costs to install a hitch, as well as how much it costs to pay someone to do it for you.

This can help you gauge which option is best for you and your wallet. Let’s get started.

What Trailer Hitch Does A Subaru Forester Accept?

Before knowing about installation costs, you have to know what hitch the vehicle accepts. The Subaru Forester is designed to accept an A-ClassS3 tow hitch.

The tow hitch should have a maximum towing capacity of 3500, as well as a tongue weight of around 500 pounds.

It’s important to select a trailer hitch that is specific to the vehicle to ensure a safe towing experience.

Subaru Forester Hitch Installation Cost

The exact price of installing a trailer hitch on a Subaru Forester depends on which installation method you prefer. Installing the hitch yourself is by far the most economic choice, but not all people know how to do this.

If you cannot install the hitch yourself, you will need to pay someone else to do it for you, either at the factory, dealer, or mechanic.

Of these three options, having the factory install it is the cheapest, but this is only an option if you are getting a new Subaru and have the ability to add accessories at the factory level.

On average, installing a hitch to a Subaru Forester costs between $350 and $400. This price considers both the product price, as well as the cost of labor.

In other words, expect to pay between $350 and $400 if you are hiring someone else to do it, such as a dealer or mechanic.

If you are installing the trailer hitch yourself, you will only have to pay for the hitch. Normally, a hitch will be between $100 and $200.

Of course, you will also have to pay for shipping and any tools if you don’t already have them.

Having the factory add the trailer hitch costs about the same as doing it yourself. It is a little-known fact that most factory additions don’t charge for labor.

In other words, it is much cheaper to have the factory install an accessory, including a trailer hitch, than a dealer.

To create a range from these numbers, you can expect to pay between $125 and $400 for installing a trailer hitch on a Subaru Forester.

How to Install 2019-2020 Subaru Forester EcoHitch >> Check out the video below:

Installing The Hitch Yourself

Installing the hitch yourself is the cheapest option. You will only need to pay for the hitch itself, as well as shipping and additional tools. The hitch normally costs around $125, but shipping can cost quite a bit because of the size.

We only recommend installing the hitch yourself if you are capable of doing so. It’s best to hire a professional if you are not completely confident in your abilities to ensure that the job goes over smoothly.

We also only recommend installing the hitch if you already have the needed tools. There is no point in installing the hitch if you have to go out and buy all the necessary tools too.

At that point, you should have just paid the professional. It probably would have been cheaper anyways.

Read also: Trailer Hitch Installation How-To-Guide // 9 Easy Steps (Explained)

In order to do the DIY project, you will need multiple tools, such as a 10 mm and 19 mm socket, an 18-inch extension, a power drill, a 17/32 inch drill bit, and a torque wrench.

Once again, only take on this job if you have all of these tools because it can cause quite a bit to buy them.

Paying Someone To Do It For You

If you cannot install the hitch yourself, you must pay someone to do it for you. You will have 3 options: factory installation, dealer installation, and mechanic installation.

Factory installation is the cheapest, whereas dealer and mechanic installation are about the same price.

Read: How Much Does It Cost to Install a Trailer Hitch? (with 9 examples)

Factory

Factory installation costs about the same as installing the hitch yourself. This is a great option if you are buying a new Subaru Forester and know that you want a trailer hitch from the beginning.

This will save you the trouble of having to do it yourself or pay fees from the dealer or mechanic.

“Most dealers won’t tell you this, but most factory additions do not charge for labor. As a result, you only have to pay for the actual parts, not the labor required to put on the parts.”

That is why factory installation is the cheapest option if you want someone else to install the hitch for you.

The price for factory installation should be somewhat comparable to installing the hitch yourself. You can expect to pay between $100 and $200 for the factory installation option.

Dealer

Another choice for paying someone else to install the hitch for you is to have the dealer do it. The dealer has the same abilities as the factory, but they charge much more for it.

Unlike factory installation, you will need to pay labor costs if you want the dealer to install the hitch.

Although the exact price will depend on the dealer you select, you can expect to pay an additional $50 to $100 for the labor costs.

This is in addition to the cost for the parts themselves. You can expect to pay between $350 and $400 for the dealer installation option.

Mechanic

Finally, the last installation option is to have a mechanic do it for you. A mechanic may be a great choice if you already have a Subaru Forester and don’t want to go through the hassle of talking to a dealer.

Most likely, mechanics will give you a more affordable rate than the dealer, but it will still be more expensive than installing it yourself or having it installed through the factory.

“Much like the dealer installation option, you will have to pay for both the parts and labor. You can expect to pay between $300 and $400, depending on where you go.”

You may be able to negotiate the price more with a mechanic, which makes it a bit more advantageous than going to a dealer. Plus, going to a mechanic helps support people in your community.

Subaru Forester Hitch Installation

To install a trailer hitch on a Subaru Forester, just check out the video below:

Subaru Forester Hitch Installation Cost FAQs

Let’s close out this page about Subaru Forester hitch mount with answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about them!

How long does it take to install a trailer hitch on a Subaru Forester?

The exact time it takes to install a trailer hitch on a Subaru Forester depends on the skill level of the installer. Generally, most installers take around 2.5 hours to complete the installation. It may take longer if you are installing it yourself.

Should I have the dealer or factory install my trailer hitch?

In terms of performance, both the dealer and the factory are fully equipped to install a trailer hitch onto your Subaru Forester.

For this reason, these two are equal in terms of capabilities, meaning you should not be worried about the final outcome with either option.

That being said, most people prefer the factory to install a trailer hitch because it is more economical. Factory installation does not charge for labor, only parts.

Dealer installation, on the other hand, requires you to pay for both labor and parts, making it the more expensive option.

Because both the factory and dealer are fully equipped to install the trailer hitch, we recommend going for the factory option simply because it gets you the same results for a cheaper price.

2020 Subaru Forester Hitch Installation Cost

2020 Subaru Forester Hitch Installation Cost >> Check out the video below:

2019 Subaru Forester Trailer Hitch

2019 Subaru Forester Trailer Hitch >> Check out the video below:

2018 Subaru Forester Hitch Installation

2018 Subaru Forester Hitch Installation >> Check out the video below:

2016 Subaru Forester Trailer Hitch

2016 Subaru Forester Trailer Hitch >> Check out the video below:

2015 Subaru Forester Hitch

2015 Subaru Forester Hitch >> Check out the video below:

Final Thoughts

Installing a trailer hitch on a Subaru Forester can be expensive, but it certainly isn’t as expensive as installing a hitch on other vehicles.

That being said, you can expect to pay between $100 and $400 for installing the trailer hitch.

If you are on a tight budget, installing a trailer hitch yourself is the best option. You will need to pay for the parts and shipment, but you won’t have to pay for labor.

Of course, this is only an option if you have the ability to do so. Most people say installing a trailer hitch is easy if you have a YouTube video to help.

In the case that you do not want to install the hitch yourself, you can get it done for you. You can either opt for a factory, dealer, or mechanic installation option.

Factory installation is the cheapest, but it is only available if you are buying a new Subaru Forester. If you already have the vehicle, we recommend having a mechanic install it for you.

References

https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/cost-to-install-trailer-hitch.478482/

Mike Gilmour

Hi, I'm Mike, co-founder, and editor of RV and Playa. My passion is traveling (with my RV) and enjoying the day at the beach (Playa)! Well, I originally created this blog as a way to share what I've learned by experimenting with the RV lifestyle, and I want to help others develop in life through new skills and opportunities.

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