L101SSJ005 – Trailer Hitch – 2022 Subaru Forester

Accessory Installation Guide

2022MY Forester Trailer HitchL101SSJ005

 

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

PART NUMBER: L101SSJ005

 

DESCRIPTION: FORESTER TRAILER HITCH

 

PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY, BEFORE YOU START INSTALLATION

SAFETY PRECAUTION: When installing Trailer Hitch, the use of safety glasses is recommended.

 

WARNING:

1. Always install the accessory following the instructions. Failure to do so may cause damage to the vehicle or the accessory.

2. Please also refer to SUBARUeBay logo SERVICE MANUAL upon removing and re-assembling vehicle components.

3. Do not drill, cut, weld or otherwise modify the Trailer Hitch.

4. Do not lubricate the bolts and nuts with oil or grease.

5. If Trailer Hitch is removed, a bumper beam MUST be reinstalled. Failure to reinstall a bumper beam after removal of the trailer hitch will negatively affect vehicle rear crash performance. Please contact your SUBARUeBay logo dealer.

6. When a Trailer Hitch is installed, it is not possible to install the rear towing hook.

7. Never exceed the maximum towing capacity and maximum tongue load. It could cause personal injury and/or vehicle damage.

8. When towing, total vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also the load distribution on each axle must not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). The GVWR and GAWR for your vehicle can be found on the “Certification label” which is located on the left side center pillar of the vehicle.

9. For models equipped with RAB, refer to the part which indicated [RAB].

10. Ensure all recyclable discarded vehicle accessory components and packaging are recycled following local recycling regulations.

11. It is always recommended that this accessory is fitted by a qualified SUBARUeBay logo technician.

12. In the engine bay, disconnect the negative battery terminal.

13. Safely store and protect any removed vehicle components.

14. Ensure all bare metal surfaces are protected using Automotive Bare Metal Primer and touch-up paint.

15. Remove all metal swarf and dust from all vehicle surfaces if surface is used for accessory installation.

16. Tow hitch to be used with SubarueBay logo ball mount L101SSJ205 & L101SSJ207. Ball mount is sold separately.

 

Warranty is granted only when installation is done correctly by your SUBARUeBay logo dealer.

SUBARUeBay logo reserves the right to change the design of accessories and/or construction, illustration, and text of this manual at anytime without prior notice.

Please put installation instruction in glove box once installation is complete.

 

ACCESS TRUNK WELL AND REMOVE SPARE TIRE

Raise and remove the carpeted spare tire compartment cover.

Remove tool tray

Unscrew and remove tire thumbscrew.

Remove spare tire.

Remove (4) push pin fasteners from side foam trays.

Remove (2) push pin fasteners to remove the rear inside trunk panel.

Remove rear tailgate trim.

 

REMOVE REAR TAIL LIGHT COVERS

Using a small Phillips head screwdriver, remove (2) screws from the rear tail light cover assembly on each side

Using a rachet with 10mm socket, remove the LH and RH tail light housing by removing 2 bolts on each side. Disconnect the connector when removing the housing.

 

REMOVE REAR BUMPER FASCIA

With a screwdriver, release (1) small push pin fastener per side on the LH/RH fascia wheel well. Use the tip of the screwdriver to push the center of the pin.

With a small flat head screwdriver, remove (8) large push pin fasteners across the length of the bumper. Save push pins for later use.

Starting at the LH side wheel well, using both hands, pull one side of the fascia out from the vehicle.

Continue around the rear LH side. At the rear corner, begin to pull rearward and work across the vehicle from left to right to remove the entire bumper.

Disconnect the RAB sensor harness.

Fully release the bumper from the vehicle body.

Lay fascia aside where it will not be damaged during hitch installation.

 

REMOVE REAR BUMPER BEAM

Using 14 mm deep socket, remove (2) bolts and (1) nut from each side of the bumper beam

Discard (2) nuts and (4) bolts.

Remove the bumper beam and apply touch-up paint in the areas shown.

 

REMOVE MUFFLER AND HEAT SHIELD AND PREPARE FRAME

Unbolt the muffler from the exhaust pipe by disconnecting 2 bolts at the flange.

Discard the exhaust gasket and (2) lock nuts

Remove the muffler by first disengaging the rearmost exhaust hanger, then disengaging the forwardmost exhaust hanger.

Put the muffler aside for later reinstallation.

 

Remove (4) heat shield bolts and then remove the heat shield. Retain bolts and heat shield for reinstallation.

 

Remove (2) rubber grommets per side from the bottom of the side frame.

Remove (2) rubber grommet per side from the inside of the frame rail.

 

INSTALL LH / RH FRAME BRACKET ASSEMBLIES – PART “B”

Place LH and RH welded bracket subassembly “B” into side frame hole opening.

Align the bracket holes with the holes in the frame rail.

Loosely install and hand tighten (2) M12 bolt “C” and washer “D” through the bottom of the frame into the (2) frame holes and (2) into the side frame hole. Repeat on the other side of the vehicle.

 

INSTALL MAIN HITCH MEMBER – PART “A”

Install the main hitch “A” between the LH and RH frame bracket subassemblies.

Loosely install (3) M12 bolt “C” on each side of the hitch tube into the bracket weld nuts

 

TORQUE FASTENERS

Torque all fasteners in the order and to the torque values as shown in the table

 

MODIFYING REAR BUMPER FASCIA

Move the fascia to a flat area in order to cut the “U” shape for the trailer hitch.

Choose the correct paper termplate from the following pages for vehicle trim and prepare as shown on that page.

Align the edges in the template to the features on the inside of the bumper fascia.

With the template in place, mark the opening shape.

Move the fascia to a flat area in order to cut the opening shape for the trailer hitch.

Remove all burrs and rough edges after the cut is made.

 

INSTALLING RUBBER BUMPER TRIM GASKET “M”

Make sure the starting end of the gasket has a 90ยฐ square cut end.

Starting at one end of the bumper opening, carefully slide the gasket “L” along the edge.

Continue to wrap around the opening, being sure to create a smooth joint as you go.

Once the gasket is in place, trim the excess length so that it is even with the edge.

 

WIRING HARNESS INSTALLATION

Locate vehicle side connector and remove/cut tape to uncoil

Mate trailer harness connector “H” to vehicle connector and wrap in foam tape “K”.

 

Remove plug from trunk floor panel as shown.

Route the 4-pin connector end of the trailer harness from the inside of the trunk, through the hole to the underside of the vehicle

Fully seat the rubber grommet into the hole.

 

Remove the adhesive line from the fuse and controller module (ECU) and secure to trunk well in locations shown in picture. (Be sure to thoroughly clean the surface before applying tape)

Route the tube as shown below and then apply adhesive cable tie mounts “J” in the locations shown. (Be sure to thoroughly clean the surface before applying mounts) Use a cable tie “I” to secure the wiring harness to the mounts using the white tape marks on the harness tube as a guide.

 

USE THESE DIMENSIONS TO REFERENCE MOUNTING LOCATIONS FOR STEPS 6 & 7

(A) cable tie mount to tape mark ~ 2 1/8″ (~55mm)
(B) rear truck panel to cable tie mount ~3 3/8″ (~85mm)
(C) rear truck panel to middle of ECU ~2 3/8″ (~60mm)
(D) distance between ECU and fuse holder ~1 1/2″ (~40mm)
(E) edge of grommet to cable tie mount ~5 1/2″ 2″(~140mm)
(F) rear trunk panel to cable tie mount ~3 1/2″ (~90mm)

 

Install the 4-pin flat connector into the clam shell mounting connector.

Using hardware provided, install to trailer hitch wiring mounting bracket.

 

Install (1) adhesive back cable tie mounts “J” in the locations shown. (Be sure to thoroughly clean the surface before applying cable tie mount). Use a cable tie “I” to secure the wiring harness to the mounts using the white tape marks on the harness tube as a guide.

 

REINSTALLATION OF COMPONENTS

Reinstall heat shield. Torque to 10 Nm (90 in-lb)

Reinstall the muffler using self locking nut “N” and exhaust gasket “O” supplied in kit. Torque the exhaust nuts to 45ยฑ5 Nm (35โ€ขยฑ4 ft-lb)

Reconnect RAB harness

Reinstall rear bumper fascia.

Reinstall rear tail lights and covers.

Reinstall spare tire and related components.

Replace rear compartment cover.

Place receiver plug “M” into tow hitch receiver neck.

 

WIRING HARNESS FUNCTION CHECK

With the ignition on but without starting the engine, perform the following checks sequentially on both the vehicle and trailer lights.

(Turn signals will not work without ignition on the ON position)

Turn on headlamps โ†’ Tail lights and marker lights are lit

Turn on Left Turn signal โ†’ Left turn signal is flashing.

Turn on Right Turn Signal โ†’ Right turn signal is flashing.

Apply foot brake โ†’ Stop lights are lit.

 

With the ignition in the “ON” position (not “START”, the engine would not be running) AND the parking brake applied, perform the following checks on both the vehicle and trailer lights.

 

Push “START”

Press the push-button ignition twice without depressing the brake pedal

 

Perform the following at the same time.

Apply foot brake โ†’ Stop lights are lit.

Turn on headlamps โ†’ Tail lights and marker lights are lit

Shift into reverse โ†’ Backup lights are lit.

Turn on Hazards โ†’ Left and right turn signals are flashing.

 

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

These instructions are an official document and an integral part of the trailer hitch. It should be stored in a glove box all the time and handed over with the vehicle if sold.

 

SAFETY CHAIN HOOK

Always use safety chains when towing.

 

CAUTION

For further information, read vehicle’s owners manual or consult your dealer or dealer’s service department.

SUBARUeBay logo accepts no liability for product defects caused by the vehicle owner or other persons and/or incorrect use.

After the first 600 miles (966 km), please consult with SUBARUeBay logo dealer to re-check the tightness of Trailer Hitch bolts and/or nuts.

For models equipped with BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) driving support systems, when towing a trailer, press BSD/RCTA OFF switch to deactivate the systems. The system may not operate properly due to the blocked radar waves. For details about BSD/RCTA OFF switch, refer to the owners manual “BSD/RCTA OFF switch”.

For models equipped with RAB (Reverse Automatic Braking) system, please consult with SUBARUeBay logo dealer when towing a trailer.

 


2022MY Forester Trailer Hitch

https://techinfo.subaru.com/stis/doc/accInstallGuide/Forester%20Trailer%20Hitch%20-%20L101SSJ005%20-%20installation%20instructions%20-%20Issue%2003%20-%2020220422.pdf
https://static.oemdtc.com/AccessoryInstallationGuide/L101SSJ005.pdf

 


2022MY Forester Trailer Hitch – (French)

https://techinfo.subaru.com/stis/doc/accInstallGuide/Forester%20Trailer%20Hitch%20-%20L101SSJ005%20-%20FRENCH%20-%20installation%20instructions%20-%20Issue%2001%20-%2020220426.pdf
https://static.oemdtc.com/AccessoryInstallationGuide/L101SSJ005FR.pdf

 


 

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  • Corrosion Resistant: Finished with CURT's unique co-curing process; Each hitch is dipped in a liquid A-coat for rust prevention, inside and out, and then co-cured in a durable black powder coat finish for maximum rust, chip and UV resistance
  • Vehicle Compatibility: Each CURT class 3 hitch is engineered to fit on a specific vehicle; This provides the best possible fit and easiest installation; Fits 2020-2025 Legacy & Outback
  • Warranty: Covered by CURT's limited lifetime warranty to give you confidence in each adventure, season after season
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  • Installation: Install with screws, professional installation is recommended
  • Package: Package includes 1 x trailer tow hitch receiver, installation hardware and assemble manual
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  • HEAVY DUTY TOWING CAPACITY โ€” Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): 3,500 lbs. Tongue Weight (TW): 350 lbs. (limited to lowest-rated towing component).
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  • Installation: Installation is straightforward using the included hardware; however, it is essential to thoroughly review the provided installation instructions before beginning, as they contain critical information and specific guidance. For optimal performance, professional installation is highly recommended
  • Package: 1 x Trailer Hitch including instruction manual and mounting hardware

Last update on 2026-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


 

 


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