Hitchmount on a Subaru Impreza?

[Lev]

Anyone have a hitchmount rack on their Impreza or know someone that does? I am looking at buying my buddy's WRX and I was debating about how I'd carry a bike on it. I'd prefer to avoid the roof rack, but I'm not completely opposed to it either. I was concerned about bottom out clearance with the hitchmount when going off driveways/going up hill/etc.

Thanks

[Pegleg]

Not sure where, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that installing a hitch will void the warranty of the current Imprezas.

[Todd Zander]

guy im riding with tonight has one on his, 2004ish.

[Catch22]

117547Kuat Sherpa

[Lev]

guy im riding with tonight has one on his, 2004ish.

Ask him if it's a pain in the ass for me. Thanks dude


117547Kuat Sherpa

Nice Bri. Never heard of Kuat. Do you guys sell those?

[Catch22]

yeah, they're insanely nice quality and good CS if needed, that one in particular strikes me as a good match since it's offset a bit higher for clearance and the trays pivot down to allow for hatch openning. Saw one in use on a little TDI wagon the other day at a trailhead and it seemed like a good setup for a small hatchback. Any shop should be able to get them in that color or white.

[Lev]

yeah, they're insanely nice quality and good CS if needed, that one in particular strikes me as a good match since it's offset a bit higher for clearance and the trays pivot down to allow for hatch openning. Saw one in use on a little TDI wagon the other day at a trailhead and it seemed like a good setup for a small hatchback.

Nice. Thanks buddy.

Is that Chilcotin giving you new wings or what? I'm waiting for an in depth review.

[alewi11]

I've got a Saab 92x (WRX wagon) with a hitch. In the summer I even drop it a bit on coilovers. No issues with clearance using a 1UP USA rack with the 2 bike setup.

[gravitylover]

Don't know what year you're looking at but - http://www.curtmfg.com/HitchLookup/find?mount=Rear+Mount&year=2005&make=Subaru&model=WRX&style=All

[Lev]

I've got a Saab 92x (WRX wagon) with a hitch. In the summer I even drop it a bit on coilovers. No issues with clearance using a 1UP USA rack with the 2 bike setup.

I love those 92x's. I wish they still made 'em.

[Lev]

Don't know what year you're looking at but - http://www.curtmfg.com/HitchLookup/find?mount=Rear+Mount&year=2005&make=Subaru&model=WRX&style=All

It's a 2010. Not sure how hard those are to install. Was thinking I'd just go to Uhaul or something. It's prbly more $$$ tho

[jamal]

I like having my bike on the roof. Stays a lot cleaner. I did 1200mi in my own car with a roof rack, went through some light rain, and the bike stayed pretty clean (except for some bugs, but you can get a thing that covers the front of the bike). Then I took a trip with some family and had the bike on the back, drive in similar conditions, and it was covered in disgusting road grime. Maybe I'm being a whiny bitch, but I like the drivetrain to be spotless.

On the other hand, with a hitch mount you'll never destroy your bike going into a garage or drive through or something.


Not sure where, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that installing a hitch will void the warranty of the current Imprezas.
No such thing as a "voided" warranty.

If you have a hitch, and the trailer lights get hooked up wrong and fries some wiring, obviously that won't be covered. The point is that the mod has to be proven to cause the failure for the repair not to be covered under warranty.

[Alpinord]

Here is another source for a Curt hitch for a 2010 WRX, with instructions for $140. (http://www.hitchsource.com/subaru-impreza-subaru-outback-sport-trailer-hitch-class-p-27899.html) I've installed hitches on a few of our Subarus and my Saab 93 and really like the convenience and better aerodynamics/fuel efficiency of them over roof racks. They are easier for my wife and kid than roof racks. The 1Up rack is super sweet (http://www.1upusa.com/) ,scalable (1 to 3 bikes) and quick to take on and off the hitch with their unique receiver hitch 'ball' locking systems.

I just did an Outback install which was similar to the WRX instructions requiring dropping the exhaust. Definite add grease to the exhaust hangers for easier removal and I used boat straps on the exhaust to aid the lowering and support. Having ramps make it pretty straight forward in about an hour and a half. If you add electrical for a trailer, it's plug and play with the Subes.

[bagtagley]

I'm going by second hand information, but I've heard several reports of people that have contracted Gonorrhea from those Kuat racks. I've also heard of perfectly normal guys switching to rigid 29ers out of the blue after installing Kuats.

I strongly suggest going with the 1UP USA rack instead.

[jqualls]

Not a Subaru but I installed a 2" hitch with the Kuat NV on my Prius. To keep the rack a little closer to the car and help provide better clearance I push the rack in so that the pin sits right behind the back of the hitch. I was able to get the rack about 6 or so inches closer to the car. Then I turn the anti rattle bolt tight and it keeps everything in position. I have to be careful with steep driveways but have not had any serious problems.

[shredgnar]

SHould send out some pretty sweet sparks at night on bumpy roads or with four people in the car. :biggrin:

[schuss]

I had one on my 9-2x (sniff, still miss that car), there were frame mounting holes for a class 4 hitch (anything bigger than that needed drilling IIRC), and the biggest pain in the ass was getting the muffler back on the rubber donut mount after dropping it.

[Lev]

I'm going by second hand information, but I've heard several reports of people that have contracted Gonorrhea from those Kuat racks. I've also heard of perfectly normal guys switching to rigid 29ers out of the blue after installing Kuats.

I strongly suggest going with the 1UP USA rack instead.

Thanks for the advice dude. That could've been bad. Crisis averted.

Schuss, drilling a new car does not sound too appealing. Anyone go the Uhaul route?

[50kLeg]

117547Kuat Sherpa

+1 guy at our shop has an '05 STI with a sherpa on it and he loves it. When it comes to tray style hitch mounts, we probably sell more Kuat than Yakima and Thule combined anymore. They have good stuff.

[Alpinord]

Schuss, drilling a new car does not sound too appealing. Anyone go the Uhaul route?

Last time I checked, the dealer charges around $350 for a hitch and installation on a Subaru. Not sure now. I 'think' I read somewhere that one individual had a hitch installed at their local Uhaul for $55 or so. YMMV.

Looks like you'd just need to enlarge an existing hole: https://www.hitchsource.com/images/curt/11315/installsheet/CM_11315_INS.PDF

(WTF is the deal with the TGR editor and Safari for adding images and links to text? The secondary link and image editor window does not launch.)

[Lev]

So I'm a proud new owner of a WRX. (Woot! I'm in love...)

Now I need to figure out the rack. My research so far has lead me to believe that Uhaul is the cheapest and most convenient option. Unless anyone has any strong criticisms to Uhaul, I think that's the next step for getting the hitch.

Once that's done, I gotta figure out if I'm getting the Sherpa or NV. I like the design and the reviews all seem to be pretty stellar for Kuat goods.

[Gman]

Got uhaul hitches on multiple cars and no complaints

[phatfreeheeler]

I'm running a Uhaul hitch on my '03 WRX i think and no real issues other than the muffler sits a tad lower. I use a 2place Thule and for the most part never drag even with the car lowered 1.5". Except of course Deer Valley's parking lot with its massive storm gutter.

[jqualls]

I don't know about installing a hitch on the Subaru but lots of hitches are pretty easy to do on your own. Do a search and see how difficult it is. There is a good chance you can bolt it up yourself if you have any mechanical skills. There is probably even a you tube video showing how to do it.

[El Chupacabra]

I had one on my 9-2x (sniff, still miss that car), there were frame mounting holes for a class 4 hitch (anything bigger than that needed drilling IIRC), and the biggest pain in the ass was getting the muffler back on the rubber donut mount after dropping it.

I think you mean Class II hitch -- typical for a car hitch receiver (1 1/4" hole). A Class I, IIRC, is just a flat drawbar that slides in, not a square tube hitch.

Class III is 2" hole, with a tongue weight max of something like 500 lbs. Typical SUV or 1/2-ton truck hitch.

Class IV is 2" hole, with a tongue weight max of something like 1000 lbs. 3/4-ton or 1-ton truck now.

Class V is 2 1/2" square hole. Don't know what the tongue weight is. 1-ton and above.

[Lev]

I don't know about installing a hitch on the Subaru but lots of hitches are pretty easy to do on your own. Do a search and see how difficult it is. There is a good chance you can bolt it up yourself if you have any mechanical skills. There is probably even a you tube video showing how to do it.

Most of what I've seen for a 2010 Impreza requires some drilling and lowering the exhaust. I'm pretty sure I'd rather pay the dudes at Uhaul (who do this for a living) $50 to do the job right.

[jqualls]

Lowering the exhaust should be pretty easy but drilling would be worth the $50 if you are not comfortable with it. Good luck

[Dromond]

No such thing as a "voided" warranty.

If you have a hitch, and the trailer lights get hooked up wrong and fries some wiring, obviously that won't be covered. The point is that the mod has to be proven to cause the failure for the repair not to be covered under warranty.

Can anyone confirm this? I'm looking to get a 2012 Impreza with a hitch for a bike rack. I had also read that a hitch mount on that car would void the drivetrain warranty. Perhaps I just need to ask a Subaru dealer.

[schuss]

No drilling required. Super easy if you have a cool exhaust (do it in the morning) and a willingness to skin a knuckle or two:

http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2010_Subaru_Impreza.htm

There are holes in the frame, so it shouldn't void the warranty. Hell, it doesn't even touch the drivetrain.

[jamal]

To deny a warranty claim based on a modification, they have to prove that that modification caused the failure. So if you put a hitch on and tow something really heavy and overheat the motor and blow the headgaskets, then they could deny coverage. I suppose that is where the idea came from- that a dealer could see the hitch and say "you must have been towing, sorry no warranty fix."

If the hitch bolts on and you are that worried about it, just take it off before going to the dealer. The manual should have some info about towing in it, but asking someone like the service manager would be the best bet.

[macdadmorgan]

To deny a warranty claim based on a modification, they have to prove that that modification caused the failure. So if you put a hitch on and tow something really heavy and overheat the motor and blow the headgaskets, then they could deny coverage. I suppose that is where the idea came from- that a dealer could see the hitch and say "you must have been towing, sorry no warranty fix."

If the hitch bolts on and you are that worried about it, just take it off before going to the dealer. The manual should have some info about towing in it, but asking someone like the service manager would be the best bet.


This is where stealerships make a lot of their money, from the service department, and warranty work. Even if a modification is present, but the tech can make more time on the car then it takes him to do the work, he is not going to say anything. And if you can get one where no drilling is required, DO IT. These are a uni-body car, so if you start riffling holes in it, maybe that is where part of your warranty can get voided, hard to justify the whole drivetrain, but... I can see the Rust Perforation Limited Warranty being voided. I have seen a lot of rust start around hitch to frame areas. I would even put some rubber between the frame and the hitch, and smear everything with Never seize.
Again, if your worried about it, give the service manager a call.

[cooltsi]

I had a 96 wagon and a 2000 2.5RS and put hitches on both myself. Sold the hitches when I sold the cars and lost $40 in each. Easy to install utilizing the existing bolts. Used a Yakima rack with the old bedrocks which held 3 bikes on both cars. No clearance issues whatsoever although one time we melted a tire on my wifes bike from the exhaust.

Had to warranty the transmission on the 2.5RS, no issues from the dealer about the rack.

[emr]

Just installed a curt hitch on a 2011 wrx hatch. No drilling, bolt on. It was a bitch, but if I had to install another one, I would know the little tricks to make it quicker. I also installed my kuat nv rack. Clean looking, and should be much easier than lifting 40 lbs to the roof.

[Lev]

Just installed a curt hitch on a 2011 wrx hatch. No drilling, bolt on. It was a bitch, but if I had to install another one, I would know the little tricks to make it quicker. I also installed my kuat nv rack. Clean looking, and should be much easier than lifting 40 lbs to the roof.

Nice. Good to know. That's exactly the setup I'm considering. I'm still undecided on the Sherpa vs. NV though.