What's the Best Trailer Hitch for a Subaru Outback Wilderness?

When selecting a trailer hitch for your Subaru Outback Wilderness, the natural first question is “what’s the best hitch for my vehicle?” As the largest installer of aftermarket hitches in North America, U-Haul knows a thing or two about picking the right one. We’ve outlined the ideal hitch receivers for the Subaru Outback Wilderness, as well as the key features for each. 

Good – Draw-Tite CQT76332 

This trailer hitch from Draw-Tite is a standard hitch for the Subaru Outback Wilderness. 

It’s a class 3 hitch that offers a gross trailer weight rating of 4,500 lbs. The tongue weight rating is 675 lbs, which is 15% of the gross trailer weight. While 15% is standard for U-Haul hitches, most common hitches on the market only offer 10%. All things considered, you want a trailer hitch with the highest possible weight rating.  

The installation is pretty straightforward for a DIY installer, but the heat shield will need to be trimmed to accommodate the hitch. 

Better – Blue Ox BXH7003 

Like the Draw-Tite trailer hitch, this Blue Ox hitch for the Subaru Outback Wilderness has a gross trailer weight rating of 4,500 lbs and a tongue weight rating of 675 lbs. 

However, Blue Ox separates itself from other trailer hitches with a unique approach to the hitch coating. While most manufacturers only use one coating type, Blue Ox uses e-coating (electrocoating) for its resistance to corrosion and rusting, then a powder coat for added durability against chipping and scratching. 

Best – U-Haul Adventure Series AP3003A 

The Adventure Series trailer hitch for the Subaru Outback Wilderness is a high-quality, U-Haul-exclusive hitch. Engineered by AutoPacific Group, a leading Australian manufacturer, this model has features that were previously unavailable in the North American market. 

Like the other hitches we’ve highlighted, this one provides a 4,500 lb gross trailer weight rating and 675 lb tongue weight rating. However, the Adventure Series hitch separates itself with enhanced safety features and a refined aesthetic.  

This brand-new model meets not only the United States’ SAE standards for static and fatigue testing, but Europe’s CARLOSTC standards for multiaxial testing. The European CARLOSTC standards more closely simulate real-life towing experiences. Essentially, the Adventure Series hitch has proven to be stronger and more durable than others on the market. This hitch also sports ‘castle lock’ features that affix the cross tube to the side plates before any bolts are inserted, making it safer to install and serving as a failsafe if needed.  

The Adventure Series hitch is installed onto the Subaru Outback Wilderness in the same fashion as an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) hitch. The installation uses all available factory mounting points for a secure fit, concealed look, and only minor modifications to your vehicle. 

The most unique innovation of the U-Haul Adventure Series trailer hitch is the patented HitchHush™––a built-in, anti-rattle device that secures your ball mount in place and silences the noise you typically experience while towing. It also doubles as a sleek receiver tube cover when you’re not using the hitch. 

With all these advanced features, the U-Haul Adventure Series hitch offers the best possible towing experience for the Subaru Outback Wilderness. 

U-Haul Professional Hitch Installation 

Regardless of which trailer hitch you’d prefer for your Subaru Outback Wilderness, you can have it installed by the hitch professionals at U-Haul. Our digital hitch finder will determine the tow package that’s right for your Outback, then help you schedule an installation appointment at your local U-Haul center.