2018 Crosstrek: Trailer Wiring harness install

[@woodlandbeecompany8182]

Another great video. Literally took me 15 minutes to install wiring after watching this. Dealer wanted $750 for hitch install. Did it myself with your videos for $250 for the hitch and wiring harness. Thanks!

[@AZdroptop]

Awesome! Thank you for letting me know! Cheers

[@MloVisual]

Where can I get the wiring harness ?

[@Cyclerosis]

Thanks for the instructions! I installed the same harness about a week ago, and compared to the installation I did on my old Tiguan, (which took nearly 2.5 hours due to the extraordinarily ridiculous place VW hid the connector) it was a simple process. It took less than 30 minutes. As an aside to this topic, I finally had the chance to give Xmode a real test. I live on a mountain ridge in WV and we've been pelted, first with sleet which formed a nice layer of ice on the road, then a fine heavy snow and finally some big fluffy flakes to establish 8" of coverage. Today, I picked up a neighbor who was walking with his groceries toward the road that goes up the mountain to his house. He had parked his car in a common area because of it's inability to make the climb. I told him we were going to learn at the same time whether or not the feature is worth paying for. In short, the answer is yes. Although it was at tractor like speed, the car never broke traction and climbed to the peak of the ridge without difficulty. We were both pretty impressed. He also has a Subaru, but without the Xmode feature.

[@AZdroptop]

Glad to hear the install went well! I really wish I could have fed it through the lower hole in the trunk area, but I really don't want to burn up the wires. I have since towed with it on 2 occasions and just running it under the door of the trunk worked great and didn't damage the wire at all. Great story on the x mode. I have found it to be really helpful in a number of off road situations. Cheers and thanks for the comment.

[@marchingon5401]

Helpful video! I installed mine last night. I fed my wires though the hole on passenger side. (3:43 in your video) I had to shave down the connector end a little with a dremel. Then I fed it straight down to the hitch, zip-tied the wires across the top of the hitch and then down to a hole I drilled low on the bumper. Super clean. Thanks for helping to show the way!

[@AZdroptop]

Very cool! I still need to feed mine through. :) Glad the video was helpful and enjoy the hitch...it is a great addition.

[@brandtdaniels]

Any photos of this install?

[@marchingon5401]

@@brandtdaniels No, but I could take and share some if interested. I’ve done a few other installs as well, sadly I don’t document them but happy to help other owners. I’ve added USB and 12-volt ports into the cargo area, LED light to the hatch, and LED light bar in the lower grill with a steering column switch for a shorter reach.

[@brandtdaniels]

@@marchingon5401 I ended up notching out the hole a little bit just like is done when installing the hitch itself. I should probably spray it with a clear coat to prevent rust. I cut an X through the plug and fed the connector through the plug and the notched out hole. Lastly I wrapped what I pulled through in wire loom before zip tying it to the bumper.

[@marchingon5401]

@@brandtdaniels Right on. The wire loom is a good idea. I actually have a some that I didn't use for something else that is the right size. Great addition for added wire protection. I'll do that tomorrow when I add my Nilight LED floods to my roof rack. I want to be able to easily plug and unplug them so I'm attempting to run wire vertically up the B-pillar but not sure about the curtain airbag being an issue. Glad it worked out for you!

[@thomaskerr9891]

Liking this and all your other videos on the Crosstrek. Was going to purchase one and do a 1.5" lift, but seeing yours at stock height I think I'll save some pennies! Also wanted to run a hitch to tow a motorcycle trailer, or possibly a bike rack as well. Keep 'em coming!

[@AZdroptop]

Thanks Thomas, appreciate it very much. Glad I could help. I may do a lift at some point, but in reality it doesn't add any real ground clearance so it would just be for looks and or wider tires at some point. They do look nice with them though and are not crazy expensive to buy. Cheers!

[@MrDshin]

Great job explaining everything.

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you very much!

[@asunymoon7708]

I installed the same harness on my 2018 Limited Crosstrek and enjoyed your video. However, I did not find it necessary to remove the threshold fascia. Upon inspection I found the connector was reachable and simply connected it. I mounted the harness box using 'industrial velcro' against the threshold; ~ 0700 in the tire well. Cheers!

[@AZdroptop]

Hi Charles, thank you my friend. After finishing up I kind of figured I could have just connected it. :) Glad that worked out and saved you a good deal of time. I have since towed with mine a couple of times and it worked great! Thanks so much for the comment Charles. All the best!

[@rallymaster001]

Hi Rick, Another great video! (Told you I'd be watching out for it!!!!) Very clearly presented and it shows clearly what you did to instal the wiring harness. When I bought my XV, I got the dealer to instal my trailer hitch and lighting wiring harness, so I don't know how they did it! Cheers, Martin

[@AZdroptop]

:). Thanks so much Martin. I really appreciate your support for the videos. I am still hoping to figure out away to feed the wire though the car and underneath. I noticed the older Crosstrek’s have a hole through the back sheet metal. Cheers

[@Wachuko-1]

With so many plastic trim push pins you have removed, I am amazed you have not purchased those nylon trim tools... fairly inexpensive and makes it easy to remove and avoid damaging anything... Thank you for these videos. I have been considering getting Crosstrek and you have done a lot of the modifications that I would like to make. Very cool.

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you very much for watching and commenting, really appreciate it. I hear you on the correct tool ☺️. I was lazy about buying one and plan to do so soon. Best of luck on buying a Crosstrek and let me know if I can help all. Cheers

[@Wachuko-1]

Not meant as criticism... for many years I was doing the same with a flat screwdriver and taking chunks of my fingers when I missed the plug :) Those trim tools are so perfect for those plugs... and no more bleeding! lol. Keep up the great work with these videos. Going through them. Also see that you are a fellow Porsche owner. Cool.

[@AZdroptop]

Hey Jaime no offense taken, I was a lazy butt that day and knew I should have bought them. :) I will not for sure. What kind of Porsche do you have? They are such fantastic cars. Cheers and thank you very much for the kind words.

[@Wachuko-1]

On the Porsche - have had a few (993 C2S, 996TT, 951)... currently have a 1967 912, 1981 911, and a 1991 C4 Cabrio - nickname Wachuko in Rennlist.

[@AZdroptop]

Jamie, awesome. I am jealous :). Which one has been your favorite? My 02 996 is my first and only so far and despite the ridicule the 996's get, I love it. The car makes you feel special and you can feel the heritage. Great stuff. I am azdroptop on rennlist. Have you driven a Crosstrek yet? ( In my last post it should have read, "I will by them now" not "not" )

[@brandtdaniels]

I just got the Curt harness which requires drilling a ground wire into the body. I was also hoping to run it underneath the car as I added a hitch mounted spare tire carrier that has a light for the license plate holder. Maybe some heat resistant wire loom would work.

[@joek81981]

I think you made the right choice re: the heat shield.

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you.

[@GAment_11]

After all these years, have you still kept the wire harness in the trunk? About to do the same to a 2014. Thanks for the useful install video-good stable camera angles and I liked you cut out long sequences of unscrewing things.

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you Geoff. Very kind of you to say and I am glad to hear the video was helpful. I am embarrassed to admit it, but yes, it is still in the truck. :) I planned to wire it though the car and make it all fancy by the hitch, but just never did. It has worked out great and I have had no problems with it. My son has the car now so it isn't used for towing very often, but I towed with it a couple times a month when I was driving it regularly and no problems.

[@EZapar]

Thanks again. lol I dug this up so I could install the hitch in the new 2021.

[@AZdroptop]

Nice! :) Hope all is going great with you.

[@goldyg6511]

@@AZdroptop I just installed with help u r and another vid. did not require removal anything other than rear panel and rear section of foam, drilled pilot hole flat scratch paint off for install of very flat sheet metal screw for ground lug. I then plugged in connector , run wires under rear side of spare tire, to the hole grommet I found which access right out / down to receiver hitch . I did have file a little on each side of hole for the 4 plug connector to fit. I then slit grommet and sealed all with sound actuation mat, oh I also cut foam piece to house the module on driver side of spare tire . Installed fuse , test all pin outs .... done :)

[@jvallido]

i wonder if you could use thermo flex sleeves to protect the wires.

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you for the idea. There has to be something I could use. I was also thinking about trying to remove the plug on the opposite side of where the wiring harness clips in and feed the wire down that way. Should be away from the exhaust, but I'm not certain.

[@Lodestone1968]

Shipmate awesome videos. I am picking up my 2019 Crosstrek in a week. A simple recommendation regarding electrical tape. You have most likely already received this comment, so forgive the duplication. I have seen you use it on two project videos. The electrical tape becomes a huge mess in the heat. Avoid it at all cost.

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you and thank you for the tip on the electrical tape! Much appreciated and congrats on the 19 coming your way. Enjoy.

[@yessure5291]

WoW nice of them to prewire to the connector - I remember having to cut and splice into the cars wiring !

[@AZdroptop]

I agree, my last one was not so straight forward.

[@mfgorrion]

Great video. Do you think I would be able to pull one of those Little guy's camping trailers with the crosstreck? I have seen some small sedans pulling them. But the place where they rent the trailers says that my car needs to tow at least 1750 lbs, and the Crosstreck's towing capacity is up to1500.

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you very much. You know I’m not too sure about that. I have only towed about 5 or 600 ponds with mine. I imagine it would be able to do it, but I just don’t know if it’s a good idea.

[@mfgorrion]

Rick Hutton thank you for the quick response. Continue with the great job.

[@jonzaremba]

Thanks for this. No grounding necessary for the harness? Other models have a ground wire to attach to the body.

[@AZdroptop]

No mention of grounding with the kit. Just plug and play. All good after 3 years.

[@jonzaremba]

@@AZdroptop excellent. Will order the same one. Thanks for your quick response.

[@AZdroptop]

My pleasure. Best of luck my friend.

[@BillJones]

@3:47 directly under your right hand is the bung you remove for the wires to pass through. Did you try this? Is is too small for the connector to pass through?

[@AZdroptop]

HI Bill, the bung is the back wall there is too small for the connector. I Subscriber cut the wire, passed it through, then reconnected it. Worked great for him. I need to do mine soon.

[@mcchuckle7287]

Hey man great vid why did u buy your cross trek thinking on buying one and how’s it holding up?

[@AZdroptop]

Hey McChuckle, this is my second Crosstrek now as I had a 2014 previous. I really enjoyed the 14 as it was a great daily driver that could do some off road time, take me to work, camping, carry my bikes, returns good gas mileage and is reliable. When the 18 came out I test drove one and was really amazed by all of the changes Subaru had made. Better materials inside the cabin, more room, new global platform, better mileage, better performance and the big one...so much quieter. My 18 is holding up great so far, but I have just shy of 3,000 miles on it. No mechanical or cosmetic problems. Just Apple CarPlay not connecting all of the time. The 14 had 43,000 miles on it and had no problems as well. Cheers and thank you for watching.

[@AZdroptop]

Hi McChuckle, I frist had a 2014 and really loved the car as it kind of ticked all of the boxes I wanted in a daily driver. Good mileage, hatch back with seats that fold down, ability to carry my bike, off road ability, etc. I traded up for the 18 because of all the great improvements Subaru made. I had zero mechanical problems over 43,000 miles with the 14 and so far after a little over 4,000 miles the 18 is doing great. No rattles, problems etc. Check out my Crosstrek playlist for a bunch of vids. best of luck with your car search!

[@johnturner1605]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@AZdroptop]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@chuckferrell2378]

Since I've cut myself a couple times in my life with a utility knife, you made me pretty nervous with the blade open as you did! Otherwise good video!

[@AZdroptop]

Thank you Chuck.

[@jeffbanyard3308]

Rick - Love the Videos - I am thinking of passing the wire through the plastic plug/bung on the passenger side as seen at 1:05 of the video , or another thought - more work - would be to cut the wire -feed it through the small plug/bung on the drivers side and then just rejoin with a 4 pin connector

[@AZdroptop]

Hi Jeff, thanks very much! I actually tried to pass it through the passenger side hole but it was not quite large enough for the harness to fit through unfortunately. I think it would work to run it through the original hole that I was messing with if I could figure out if the exhaust would melt the wires. :) I have been lazy about. Please let me know if you come up with a solution. Thanks much Jeff.

[@goldyg6511]

@@AZdroptop very little file action fit like a champ

[@scottjones9670]

Here’s a great wiring video. I know he has a 2016 but it may give you some ideas on how to better tuck/ hide your wiring. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJjKmJulm86Faq8

[@AZdroptop]

Hey Scott thank you for the link. I think I watched that one in the past and the 16's have a hole in the back that the 18's don't have. Kind of weird that Subaru changed it. There is a hole in the back sheet metal, but it is too small for the plug. I have considered enlarging it so the wire can come through, but I don't tow all that much at this point. Might tackle it when I get my own trailer. Cheers man, I always appreciate tips and tricks. Thank you for watching.