Hitch installed

[Captain Kidd]

Not necessarily a big deal, but you can't be a trailer sailor without a hitch - LOL.

I've installed four hitches on previous vehicles. I figured I could do this one. My grandson and I attempted it a couple weeks ago. We dropped the muffler (those hangers were a bear!), lifted the hitch into place and got two of four bolts into the holes which are predrilled in the Kia; however, we could not get the other two in: a heat shield was in the way. It was such a tight fit and working off the ground was just not working. We (I) gave up - paid a shop to do it - UGH! But it's done.

Still figuring on buying the Hunter 19. Now to plan a trip. We're in the dead of winter and seller has been snowed in for a week he says. We'll wait 'til decent weather to make a trip like this.

Before I take the trip, I'm going to tow the 18.5 around a little just to see how the Sorento does. My other one did fine, so not expecting any problems: class III hitch and 5000 lbs towing capacity on the vehicle.

You cannot view this attachment.

[Brian N.]

I had Subaru install my hitch and electrical harness. Yea - cost a bundle, but the job is neat and perfect, much better than I could have done. The game changer was the electrical harness, which I had very little confidence in removing panels and hook up. If I remember the invoice correctly, the electrical took much more time to install than the hitch itself. I think the Subaru Outback with the trim level that I have and the 2 inch hitch is rated at 3500 pounds towing capacity. 5000 pounds towing with the Sorento should be OK for the Hunter 19, just break slowly and leave lots of space

[Captain Kidd]

I had Subaru install my hitch and electrical harness. Yea - cost a bundle, but the job is neat and perfect, much better than I could have done. The game changer was the electrical harness, which I had very little confidence in removing panels and hook up. If I remember the invoice correctly, the electrical took much more time to install than the hitch itself. I think the Subaru Outback with the trim level that I have and the 2 inch hitch is rated at 3500 pounds towing capacity. 5000 pounds towing with the Sorento should be OK for the Hunter 19, just break slowly and leave lots of space

Both the Sorentos came pre-wired. All that had to be done was plug in the harness and zip tie the plug to the hitch. EZ PZ!

Bolt holes were pre-drilled and pre-threaded where necessary.

Really should have been an easy job: just too small/tight a space to work in easily. The guy at the shop said it was a bit difficult even on a lift and using a transmission jack to help hold the hitch which was pretty heavy and awkward.

[Frank B.]

Good for you, now you're ready.

I vaguely remember installing the hitch on my 2016 Subaru Outback and it was not a problem, however, that was about nine years ago and I was a lot more agile than I am now, plus youtube was my friend.  My electrical was just a plug in staged under a lift out panel.  Got the small receiver so not even tempted to tow anything heavy, have just used it a few times to tow my skiff to Florida and that is estimated at about a thousand pounds.  Used it mostly for a bicycle rack to carry a couple of bikes.  Subaru of America gave me the service and accessory credit to make up for what the dealer did, good to have an air tight case backed up with evidence when the dealer lies to you, and that funded the rack and some other service.

Unfortunately, my biking partner and wife fell on the Tanglefoot trail, cracked a rib and that was it for biking. I have other friends who bike but they are "serious" i. e. thousand dollar plus bikes and all the gear.  My used sixty dollar hybrid bike and me, with my only concession to the times being a, helmet just won't fit in.