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Fitting a tow bar to an Aus Liberty GT


MattyC

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Here's a walkthrough of how I fitted a genuine Subaru heavy duty towbar to my MY05 Liberty GT.

 

This is the extra hardware that came in the box...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/00.JPG

 

Got the bumper cover, bumper, bumper mounts, taillights, mufflers and heatshields off, sorry I didn't get any photos of the disassembly process...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/01.JPG

 

 

Scattered pieces...

[/url]http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/02.JPG

 

 

These brackets replace the ones that used to hold the big alloy bumper bar on...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/03.JPG

 

Right bracket slides into the empty channel...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/04.JPG

 

This is from underneath that bracket, where the muffler heat shield normally goes...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/05.JPG

 

Same on the left...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/06.JPG

 

This big reinforcing plate bolts on the outside of the channel...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/07.JPG

 

Then you have to drill a couple of big holes in the heatshields to clear the new bolt heads...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/08.JPG

 

Then the actual towbar bolts up between the two brackets, once this is on there is a sequence in the installation instructions to tighten all the bolts up in the right order...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/09.JPG

 

All tight...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/10.JPG

 

Mufflers back on...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/11.JPG

 

Notice the alloy strip between the top of the two black brackets, this has got clips all the way across to hold the bumper cover on. I forgot to put this on the first time I got it to this stage and had to disassemble all the way back to the second photo in this post and do it all again!

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/12.JPG

 

Cutting the hole in the bumper cover was a bit nerve wracking, this is it back on...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/13.JPG

 

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/14.JPG

 

I had to pull the right muffler and the bumper insert off as the bumper cover wasn't quite sitting right. Once I cut a bit more plastic out of here to clear the new brackets, all was good...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/15.JPG

 

And here's the finished product...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/16.JPG

 

And with the blanking plug in...

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/17.JPG

 

Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of the disassembly process or the install of the wiring harness, which was a bit of a job in itself.

 

I didn't get a copy of the service manual until after I did this either, which would have made figuring out the disassembly process heaps easier.

 

Mat.

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When I first put it on, the bumper did bulge down quite a bit under the hitch, but I ended up cutting quite a big V down from the square that Subaru tell you to cut, you can sort of see it here...

 

http://www.crago.net/subaru/towbar/15.JPG

 

Sold the wheels a few weeks ago after trying for about 6 months. Still trying to sell the car, but haven't had much luck, I think I'm still asking too much!

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Is MattyC really the only person in the world with this hitch?

 

That's exactly what I want! Has anyone gotten one in the US?

[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard
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I have a friend in Aus looking for one for me.

 

The dealer is giving conflicting info on the model though, and its a little expensive for right now.

[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard
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I tried a few times. I wasn't willing to spend $1000USD just to be the guinea pig for fitment.
[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard
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Not dead, just mortally wounded... :)

 

It was the best example of a hitch I could find- If anyone knows of any through-bumper hitches currently available, I'd be greatly interested. All I found was threads with complaints about current hitches, and notes about discontinued ones.

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Just buy one Subaru OEM one for the 4th Gen Outback and you'll be good to go. Has everything you need.
- Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum -
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I've spent way too much time trying to find something other than the Hidden Hitch/Draw-Tight option for class III, but have come up dry so far.

 

Based on your note, I found this one:

Fits Model: Outback

Model Year(s): 2010 2011

Part Number(s): L101SAJ000 spacer.gif

But that looks like it is not a 2" receiver. Was that the one you were thinking of?

 

I already bought a 2" tube bike rack (for the Jeep and this car), so kind of have to stick with that size.

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It's also for a 2010-2011, not a 2006 like yours.
[URL="http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/proper-flip-key-interesti-159894.html"]Flip Key Development Thread[/URL] "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." - E. Hubbard
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I've spent way too much time trying to find something other than the Hidden blue ox hitch/Draw-Tight option for class III, but have come up dry so far.

 

Based on your note, I found this one:

Fits Model: Outback

Model Year(s): 2010 2011

Part Number(s): L101SAJ000 spacer.gif

But that looks like it is not a 2" receiver. Was that the one you were thinking of?

 

I already bought a 2" tube bike rack (for the Jeep and this car), so kind of have to stick with that size.

 

Has anybody tried to fit a tow bar & bike rack to their car. I'm too short to manage a roof rack. i need some advice...

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I'd be pretty concerned about the total weight on the hitch. With just the trailer and with the trunk empty (and two small kids in the rear seat), I'm already a little low in the back. If I have to pack the trunk for a long trip, I'll be lower than I want to be.

 

My tongue weight is 125 pounds with the tent trailer. Adding another 150+ pounds for a rack and two bikes would be more than I'd like to deal with.

 

I was going to put a bike rack on the rear of my trailer, but it is too weak back there. Now I think I'll get a roof rack- either for the car, or the trailer.

 

Could you throw in a folding step-stool to help get the bikes on/off? I'm worried about scratching up the car if I put four bikes up there...

 

I could not find anyone would made a load-leveling hitch for our car, which was what I really wanted.

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Has anybody tried to fit a tow bar & bike rack to their car. I'm too short to manage a roof rack. i need some advice...

 

Tow bar w/bike rack attached is fairly common. What's your setup (sedan or wagon, Legacy or Outback)?

- Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum -
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Has anybody tried to fit a tow bar & bike rack to their car. I'm too short to manage a roof rack. i need some advice...

 

I'd be pretty concerned about the total weight on the hitch. With just the trailer and with the trunk empty (and two small kids in the rear seat), I'm already a little low in the back. If I have to pack the trunk for a long trip, I'll be lower than I want to be.

 

My tongue weight is 125 pounds with the tent trailer. Adding another 150+ pounds for a rack and two bikes would be more than I'd like to deal with.

 

I was going to put a bike rack on the rear of my trailer, but it is too weak back there. Now I think I'll get a roof rack- either for the car, or the trailer.

 

Could you throw in a folding step-stool to help get the bikes on/off? I'm worried about scratching up the car if I put four bikes up there...

 

I could not find anyone would made a load-leveling hitch for our car, which was what I really wanted.

 

Think the bikes on top makes the best sense, unless you can figure out a way to do a bar system on top of your tent trailer. Have seen this before and it's pretty efficient, unless you have to deal with roof AC, then it become a bit harder (Read: wider bars to go around the AC unit which spreads the load further outward).

 

And FWIW, I always throw in a small step ladder (aluminum 3-step) when I put my cargo box on top with my bike(s) or kayak. It's only 5-7 lbs and makes getting stuff in and out a lot easier. Something like this is perfect.

http://images.discountofficeitems.com/orig/b55/ac2/3fbceed13bcf9bb77c879d0ceeaf96eabd.jpg

WRT the trailer, recomend you bias the weight a bit rearward (just slightly aft of your trailer's axle if possible) to drop your tongue weight to about 100 lbs. Will travel much better and will relieve your rear suspension a bit. Just don't push everything completely to the back of the trailer, or you'll induce sway into the equation.

 

The bigger question is whether you're MT or AT? If AT do you have a cooler installed? If not, get one. You can always get some saggy butt shims and push the back up a bit, but then you're at that level (or higher) unloaded. Alternatively, you could get some higher spring rate springs for the rear (or just upgrade to better springs/struts/COs all around) to compensate for the extra weight.

 

Remember to increase your rear tire pressures under load. I usually run 2psi over the fronts when fully loaded and towing. Keeps everything running right. This is with the sedan and the wagon.

- Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum -
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I've spent way too much time trying to find something other than the Hidden Hitch/Draw-Tight option for class III, but have come up dry so far.

 

Based on your note, I found this one:

Fits Model: Outback

Model Year(s): 2010 2011

Part Number(s): L101SAJ000 spacer.gif

But that looks like it is not a 2" receiver. Was that the one you were thinking of?

 

I already bought a 2" tube bike rack (for the Jeep and this car), so kind of have to stick with that size.

 

For 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback, you want the Subaru OEM L101SAG000 hitch which comes with everything including the 4-pin electrical adapter and connector - easy 1/2 - 3/4 hour install start-to-finish. I've seen sleeve adapters that enable 2" bike racks to be used with the 1 1/4" OEM (AM) hitches. Wouldn't put a lot of weight on it, but if your rack and bikes don't exceed 200 lbs, should be fine. Still think top of the car is the better load location as it's not all hanging over the rear of the car.

- Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum -
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