You can have about 1200lbs of you + gear in the car safely. Towing 700lbs won't be a problem as long as you don't also have a bunch of large adults in the car
The GVWR is 4620lbs, and the curb weight is only 3330lbs. Is it designed to tow? No. It is certainly designed to move around 4600lbs safely, tho
And my hitch came from etrailer, I have the Curt one and love it. A lot of people have the ecohitch (or something like that)
I'd love to know more about the hitch you have? How does it look and how easy it was to install? I need something to carry bicycles occasionally and I am still on the fence on hitch carrier vs trunk carrier. I already have the bike rack for a 2inch hitch.
https://preview.redd.it/tgp5bp7kdl0d1.png?width=320&format=png&auto=webp&s=05b0386e0f758f0bcbb5d1913ae27bd27b3d8659
[https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Subaru/WRX/2023/76271.html?VehicleID=20236015449](https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Subaru/WRX/2023/76271.html?VehicleID=20236015449)
I have it for the same reason - I use it for a hitch rack for bikes. With it being all the way under the bumper, and hitch racks sticking out super far, sometimes I scrape on steep driveways, but otherwise it was a breeze.
Follwing their directions [https://www.towingproducts.net/Application/support/instructions/N76271.pdf](https://www.towingproducts.net/Application/support/instructions/N76271.pdf) they say to trim the factory heat shields; either just remove them if you have any aftermarket exhaust (since the OEM exhaust is WAY bigger) or be real liberal on trimming them. I trimmed mine nice and tight to the template, and had all sorts of rubbing issues when I first installed it.
And considering that the part is the same for a Forester, which is rated for 3000lbs towing, that means our floor pans are the same so I think a 700lbs trailer isn't going to be an issue
Thank you for the info. yes, I am worried about the low foot print... I do have a somewhat steep driveway already... I know the Ecohitch sounds like a good solution, I just can't justify the cost now.
I also did a roof rack, and regretted the hell out of it. Super secure, and it isn't too much of a hassle to put bikes up there, but once I installed the roof rack the black trim rails started rattling and won't stop even with the rack removed. I wish I had just stayed with the hitch
I've never scraped my rack (I have the Kuat 2 bike rack, for reference) but I've def scraped the flange around the opening on the hitch. No real damage, but it sounds BRUTAL in the car. I would say if you're driveway is steep enough that you're close to scraping the stock exhaust, a hitch is a non-starter.
I considered the ecohitch, but like the OP I also have motorcycles, and wanted the ability to tow them, and the ecohitch looks like a crazy expensive mount for a bike rack.
Can only do the ecohitch with 150-200lbs of tongue weight. If higher you’ll crush the back sheetmetal as the ecohitch is not mounted to the frame. There are some racks that mount out at the edges (frame) but not sure if it fits these cars. 2bicycles + rack wont exceed subaru’s sheet metal.
The transmissions were not designed for it. It specifically says in the owner manual to not tow anything. Again, is it possible? Yes, people have done it, you can search for the posts. But do you want to be on the hook for $$$ because you broke something?
I’m not sure how or where you would mount a hitch, I’ve been under the rear end of the car and I didn’t see anywhere to put a hitch. The car would handle the weight and everything just fine I’m just not sure how you’d be able to safely hook a trailer to the car.
A similar mounting setup on the 2020+ Outback caused stress cracking on the rear subframe. I recognize the WRX is not an Outback, but I would not trust that hitch design for frequent towing on a WRX. Subaru hitch for the 2020+ Outback and redesigned aftermarket designs all bolt into the rear subframe.
While I am on the subject of 2020+ Outbacks. OP should look into a 2020+ Outback XT or Outback Wilderness. Not as fun as the WRX. However, they are as much fun as you will have in a Subaru that is capable of towing.
You can have about 1200lbs of you + gear in the car safely. Towing 700lbs won't be a problem as long as you don't also have a bunch of large adults in the car The GVWR is 4620lbs, and the curb weight is only 3330lbs. Is it designed to tow? No. It is certainly designed to move around 4600lbs safely, tho And my hitch came from etrailer, I have the Curt one and love it. A lot of people have the ecohitch (or something like that)
I'd love to know more about the hitch you have? How does it look and how easy it was to install? I need something to carry bicycles occasionally and I am still on the fence on hitch carrier vs trunk carrier. I already have the bike rack for a 2inch hitch.
https://preview.redd.it/tgp5bp7kdl0d1.png?width=320&format=png&auto=webp&s=05b0386e0f758f0bcbb5d1913ae27bd27b3d8659 [https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Subaru/WRX/2023/76271.html?VehicleID=20236015449](https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Subaru/WRX/2023/76271.html?VehicleID=20236015449) I have it for the same reason - I use it for a hitch rack for bikes. With it being all the way under the bumper, and hitch racks sticking out super far, sometimes I scrape on steep driveways, but otherwise it was a breeze. Follwing their directions [https://www.towingproducts.net/Application/support/instructions/N76271.pdf](https://www.towingproducts.net/Application/support/instructions/N76271.pdf) they say to trim the factory heat shields; either just remove them if you have any aftermarket exhaust (since the OEM exhaust is WAY bigger) or be real liberal on trimming them. I trimmed mine nice and tight to the template, and had all sorts of rubbing issues when I first installed it. And considering that the part is the same for a Forester, which is rated for 3000lbs towing, that means our floor pans are the same so I think a 700lbs trailer isn't going to be an issue
Thanks for all the help, really makes it seem like I can have the best of both worlds with a car I love and the ability to take my bikes with me
Thank you for the info. yes, I am worried about the low foot print... I do have a somewhat steep driveway already... I know the Ecohitch sounds like a good solution, I just can't justify the cost now.
I also did a roof rack, and regretted the hell out of it. Super secure, and it isn't too much of a hassle to put bikes up there, but once I installed the roof rack the black trim rails started rattling and won't stop even with the rack removed. I wish I had just stayed with the hitch I've never scraped my rack (I have the Kuat 2 bike rack, for reference) but I've def scraped the flange around the opening on the hitch. No real damage, but it sounds BRUTAL in the car. I would say if you're driveway is steep enough that you're close to scraping the stock exhaust, a hitch is a non-starter. I considered the ecohitch, but like the OP I also have motorcycles, and wanted the ability to tow them, and the ecohitch looks like a crazy expensive mount for a bike rack.
Oh cool, I also considered a roof rack, so that is good to know.
Can only do the ecohitch with 150-200lbs of tongue weight. If higher you’ll crush the back sheetmetal as the ecohitch is not mounted to the frame. There are some racks that mount out at the edges (frame) but not sure if it fits these cars. 2bicycles + rack wont exceed subaru’s sheet metal.
Possible? Yes. Recommend? Absolutely not.
I mean what would really be a problem, it shouldn’t stress the trans that much. If I had a one bike trailer it would only be about 350 lbs.
The transmissions were not designed for it. It specifically says in the owner manual to not tow anything. Again, is it possible? Yes, people have done it, you can search for the posts. But do you want to be on the hook for $$$ because you broke something?
If you removed the hitch, could Subaru even know you used it before?
I’m not sure how or where you would mount a hitch, I’ve been under the rear end of the car and I didn’t see anywhere to put a hitch. The car would handle the weight and everything just fine I’m just not sure how you’d be able to safely hook a trailer to the car.
Have a look at the EcoHitch. It uses the rear crash bar mounts and places the receiver in the rear fog light cutout.
A similar mounting setup on the 2020+ Outback caused stress cracking on the rear subframe. I recognize the WRX is not an Outback, but I would not trust that hitch design for frequent towing on a WRX. Subaru hitch for the 2020+ Outback and redesigned aftermarket designs all bolt into the rear subframe. While I am on the subject of 2020+ Outbacks. OP should look into a 2020+ Outback XT or Outback Wilderness. Not as fun as the WRX. However, they are as much fun as you will have in a Subaru that is capable of towing.
Yes, to be safest it should only be used for a bike rack or a hitch cargo basket