I'm curious whether others have had problems getting brake/controller wiring installed on a Subaru Outback. Our dealer is great, but had a hard time with the controller -- apparently the 2016 model doesn't have a normal brake light wire. In the process we went on a trip not knowing that we had no rear lights. We had to dash to a hotel on a dark road when we figured that out.
The recommended battery isolator has also been somewhat difficult for them to install.
Subaru touts its towing capacity and in its manual recommends electric brakes for anything above 1,000 pounds. But then the factory apparently supplies no guidance to installing a brake controller other than "towing is not recommended."
Is this an isolated incidence?
I got the brake switch wire color code from Tekonsha for my 2011 OB.
Eddie
I had the Tekonsha brake controller installed on my 2017 OB 3.6L. I’m not handy with vehicle wiring so wanted Subaru dealer to do it for me (they installed the hitch.) They refused, so gave the e-trailer kit to my local mechanic. He struggled, but got it done...we thought. But the next night I realized my high beams didn’t work.
Took it to Subaru, who found - after many hours of tracing- that the local guy had clipped one wire in a bundle when he drilled through the firewall.
Now on my way home with my new S13 and everything is working. But it was an expensive hassle. The Subaru is not built to readily accept this kind of wiring mod.
To anyone considering wiring a brake controller into the OB, consider the wireless Tekonsha model.
- Bill Clark Putney, VT
I find that dealerships are not the best places to get aftermarket gear installed, because they are unfamiliar with it and hesitant to install things that may result in call backs. I just did an install on my lexus nx200t, the brake controller is really only ground/power/brake light switch, and wire out to the trailer. If the brake wire works in reverse from what the controller expects, there are tricks "like using a relay" to get that to work. The battery isolator is the same way, basically only needs a switched ignition wire. I think the most important thing is to get a good wiring diagram for the car, after that its pretty straight forward to install anything.
I agree with Gompka - don't bother with the dealer. Mine didn't even call me back with a quote. For my 2012 Outback, I went to a highly recommended local mechanic who does above-average work. I had also gotten a quote from a Camping World store nearby. Both were between $300-350. When I replace the Outback, I'll go wireless if they prove to work well!
Also, I bought my Tekonsha controller from etrailer.com. Excellent company! They had even created a video (as they do for many of the products they carry) showing how to install the controller on.... a 2012 Subaru Outback! My mechanic loved it! Etrailer also has excellent prices - check it out.