How to Install a Trailer Receiver Hitch on a Subaru Forester & Win a Nobel Prize

#DIY #Subaru #Forester
No truck? That sucks man. But at least know that in 06-08 Subaru Forester were rated to tow up to 2400 lbs! Isn't that something. I'll show you how to install a generic receiver hitch and be well on your way to hauling all the ingredients you'll need to win your next Nobel Prize.
This is the exact hitch I got for my '06 Forester:
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Trailer cable harness:
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[@isaiahtolo9886]

Thanks for sharing - was super helpful

[@Bootstrappin]

Sure thing, glad it helped!

[@JB-cb8fx]

Thanks for the video

[@SerbanCMusca-ut8ny]

Maybe it's doable in 40 mins if you blast some angry speed metal, but I guess you can't do that if you only are allowed to work on your car during night time ;) Still, nice job ! Also, looks like your local DMV regulations have nothing to envy to French regulations, which is scary! Wish you well on that mission

[@Bootstrappin]

Speed metal always helps a speed run! I think I'm just going to ask someone local to deliver it, save a lot of hassle. What's it like in France?

[@SerbanCMusca-ut8ny]

@@Bootstrappin Actually, not so bad if the trailer is small (in that case you'll just slap the same plate on it as that of your car). But above some trailer capacity / size / weight things become utterly complicated (you have to register it, ask and pay fee to get different plates, etc.).In general it's a very bureaucratic country, really USSR level. When I arrived here I needed a residency permit in order to have my work contract signed, and for the work contract they needed the residency permit delivered first, it was much "fun". Also, since like 5-10 years you cannot burn twigs or anything on your own private property because the smoke produced pollutes, even in the countryside (and oh boy, the neighbors will tell on you). Many stupid rules and regulations that drive normal people insane. Do you have similarly bonkers regulations there too? Thinking the 18th century tea war started about where you live because people wanted more freedom and no taxation without representation if. Note, you've got the representation part, and all the joys that come with it. xD

[@Bootstrappin]

@@SerbanCMusca-ut8ny oh man that sounds like way too much fun. You need form A to get form B and you need form B to get form A. Cool, thanks government! It depends on which state you live in. Massachusetts is more bureaucratic that most in the U.S., and very tax happy. They're also going absolutely crazy over all this corona stuff. I just bought a trailer and had the guy deliver it. And here's where it gets fun -- under 3000 lbs capacity you don't need a title. So far so good. But you still need to register it. So I need to call my insurance company, get it under my insurance, have them fill out the appropriate form, and then go to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). But wait! Corona! They're only doing it by appointment only now. Every single RMV in a 50 mile radius is completely booked for the next 2 weeks, and you can't book any further out. I found an RMV that had a few open slots 10 days from now, and this one is about 140km away from me. HOPEFULLY I have all the right forms, or else I get sent back home and start all over again. It's stupid you can't do much of anything online. That's crazy about the leaf burning, it's such a common thing to do around your yard. Here you only have to call the local fire department and let them know you're burning leaves so they don't mistake it for a fire.

[@anitatombreach7801]

Good video, not an easy job especially when doing a "how to". Probably took me at least 3-4 hours about 5 years ago. Later installed a 7 pole along with the 4 pole connector and wired for a brake controller. Never even towed a camper trailer before I sold the car (but did use the hitch for accessories). It's a lot of work for a 1 1/4 hitch. The new '06 FXT shall stay un-hitched. I have a cheap minivan and installed a 2", which was a breeze. Hope you can find a 1 1/4 trailer, don't use an adapter.

[@Bootstrappin]

Somewhat tough, but it was worth the trouble. Did wind up finding a class 2 trailer, used. Guy brought it over, wasn't until days later that I found out that the leaf spring perch had rotted out. Had to use my mediocre welding skills to weld it back on, then prayed it wouldn't send the axle flying. Made a trip from Boston to DC in my fully packed car with fully packed trailer -- scary stuff. I had my CEL and cruise control light going off which killed a lot of power, so I'd be screaming at 4000 RPM in third gear up hills so I wouldn't slow down too much. This Forester sure takes a lot of crap, lol. I'm wondering now if my lack of power is also fuel injector related - never changed, has 170k miles now.

[@anitatombreach7801]

@@Bootstrappin Wha! CEL + CC flash is a no-go! Did oil shoot everywhere? I have to admit, I kept driving and it didn't kill the engine. There are 2 oil pressure sensors on the top of the engine and they both will fail ($40 per), catastrophically shooting oil in the engine bay.

[@Bootstrappin]

Interesting! I've replaced one of them, I'm not even sure where the other one is. I do have an oil leak I've been chasing for some time -- and I've replaced valve cover gaskets, the head gasket, rear main seal, and still nothing. Maybe it's that second oil switch lol. But this CEL is for misfire - my Subaru misfires like crazy on a humid/wet day, until the engine warms up then the problem disappears.

[@anitatombreach7801]

@@Bootstrappin Could be the other OPS leaking (I just saw your vid), it's also on top somewhere on the other side. I have a leaking oil cooler seal(s) (above the oil filter). I had the valve covers resealed professionally, I believe they also replaced spark plug seals. Sounds like you've replaced everything else that leaks. In my humble opinion, you're killin' the Forester by towing. Old Foresters are still going for $3-$6k or more, so it's cheaper to rent a uhaul, IMO. Hopefully engine's not dead, but could be if you keep towing with a misfire. Compression test, stat and/or fix the misfire soonest. A buddy once laughed at my Forester towing plans and I listened. So I got a cheap minivan, 3500 lbs., 273HP V6, Class 3 2" hitch. Even then I'm very wary of towing anything over 1500.

[@Bootstrappin]

@@anitatombreach7801 it's fairly uncommon for it to misfire, I'll check the other OPS. Have a feeling it may be fuel injector trouble. I don't tow often, it was just for the move. But you have a fair point, engine might not be in the best shape, especially not under this heavy load. I've removed this engine to do the headgaskets if the worst case happens, it's not too bad of a job. And you're right also, this car is still worth some money as long as it runs well regardless of miles.