Solution to the Crosstrek's Biggest Negative: Curt Hitch Basket 

People get upset about everything, I appreciate you buying a smaller vehicle that suits your needs most of the time and finding creative solutions when it doesn’t. The same people who gave you crap are the people you see driving around in giant polluting trucks all year long because they might have to carry a cooler once a damn year.

Rick, keep the videos coming. I was skeptical on buying the Crosstrek since it was my first SUV, but youve highlighted great aspects of it. Had it since July and love it. Perfect vehicle for a starting family.

Nice video Rick, I have the similar basket from curt with a 1 or 2 inch raise on my 2017 legacy, I recommend the curt accessory break/turn signal light combo that can be installed on the lower section of the basket as I feel that it offers better indication to other drivers if the break and signal lights are partially covered by the cargo in the basket

Thank you for your very informative videos Rick. I have used a roof rack before and my biggest complaint was the noise it made on the highway. It also was impossible to park in my garage with it on. I have a hitch basket and think it is so much more user friendly to load and access your gear. It also helps with fuel efficiency. I am picking up a 2022 Limited Crosstrek next month when it arrives and I asked them to order and install a 2” receiver for the basket.

Another great video, Rick! Thanks for sharing your life-use on general day-to-day stuff with the Crosstrek.

Exactly the solution I thought about for the Crosstrek. Glad this is working out for you Rick!

You rock Rick. I love how thoughtful you are with your audience and explanations.

Great solution to the occasional need for more space. This may become my first real mod for Zippy. Thanks Rick!

I don’t know who was more excited during the unboxing, you or your dog (that tail wag at 2x!) As always, great content, perfect tunes and you being you. Thanks, Rick!

I too purchased a non folding Kurt basket for my Forester to carry gasoline cans for outdoor equipment and propane tank for gas grill, don’t like the gasoline odor permeating inside the vehicle. Good informative video and don’t forget the bungee cords.

I sat in the Crosstrek at the Toronto auto show, sitting in a lot of compact and subcompact SUV's, and I really liked how nicely laid out the car is. Test drive needed but it just felt right. We can live with the cargo space which looked ok for us up close.

Hey Rick. Just want to say love your videos. I just subscribed. I picked up my '18 Crosstrek at the end of July. Absolutely love it. I'm coming from daily driving an '06 wrangler, which I kept, just needed something better for daily driving. My wife drives a '15 Forester so if we need space that's the go to vehicle. Now I just wish I was near you to tag along on your off road adventures. Not much here in Pennsylvania. Keep up the great vids!

Hey Rick, You have come up with a great solution to the only real problem I've found with the XV which is the occasional need for more space. However for a couple, it's really the best vehicle out there: 4WD stability, high ground clearance for the occasional gravel road, extremely good visibility, roomy interior, together with outstanding Subaru eyesight controls, especially the adaptive cruise control function and the steering responsive headlights... and enough cargo space for the two of us. Cargo space has always been an issue when buying a new car and one of the trade offs is the need to buy a much larger vehicle which can mean having to exchange fuel efficiency and overall increase in size (and overall financial upkeep) for this occasional extra carrying capacity. The current XV doesn't seem to have much more room in the back than my 2000 Forester but I don't really care. When I investigated trading up to a more modern model in the late 2000s the modern Forester had grown 4 inches in height, width and length and for my purposes it was too big. It was like driving a bus compared to my usual drive. It seems that like many of us, vehicles get larger with age! So that's why I bought a new model Hyundai ix35 instead in 2010 (along with its smaller carrying capacity which I put up with to get most of these other points) until I discovered the 2018 XV which is one of the best cars I've owned. Your video production is as usual outstanding, clearly thought out and well put together, Rick. Subaru should be proud of how you present their vehicles. If you give up fire fighting there should be a job in promotions and production!!!! CFDU, Martin

2 minutes in, and I agree, I need the gas mileage, I commute. But few times a year need to haul. Pick ups are out of budget.

Great Video! Being 5 feet nothing, this is a much better alternative than the roof rack!

Aluminum ones at harbor freight, less weighted both on the car and wallet.

I bought a curt roof basket not to long ago, I’m just going to leave it up there even if I’m not using it all the time. Also man, you can feel the weight with 4 full size adults in the car. From take off in first gear all the way through 4th gear it feels like I’m losing so much power. Think I’m going to invest in a purpose turbo

I opted for a roof rack and it reduced the efficiency by 7 MPG!!! Another reason to go for the hitch basket.

Hey Rick. I just ordered my 2019 crosstrek. I live in Gilbert. I’ll make a video of it when it comes in.

For my 17 forester xt, I just got the off road hitch rack from etrailer, I also bought four 27 gallon stackable plastic totes, all four fit on the rack

I am really considering getting one of these for my 21 sport because I have a German shepherd and a newborn, but I don't feel like I ought to upside to an outback or forester just for the occasional road trip, and I also already installed a hitch for light towing (successfully accomplished, btw for all the naysayers). I don't have any other needs for roof rails so to buy them just for this one use. Also I understand that rooftop storage will always kill gas mileage no matter how aerodynamic, so this seems like an ideal option for my use case!

I run the Kuat Vagabond basket up top, with a hitch mounted bike rack (NV) out back. 4 bike capacity if needed, AND basket up top for storage.

I personally would have gone with a roof basket (my Outback is getting a Thule roof basket at the end of the year) but I can understand why you went with a hitch basket, given the circumstances. Great video as always.

Rick when I saw the title about the Crosstrek's biggest negative I thought about the radio not being able to be turned off! Did you know there is a solution to that now. Wanted to let you know that to turn it off until you want to use it, here is all you have to do. Turn the volume to zero then turn off the radio while the engine is still on. Then turn off the engine, so the next time you turn on the car the Starlink message comes on and in my case the last radio station info comes on the screen briefly. In a matter of seconds it goes off and no sound came on during that time! I have the premium model so I figure it should be similar to your limited.

That’s awesome I just installed the same one on my 18 crosstrek! Seems like it’s going to be a great solution for carrying extra stuff!

Rick, the reality is that about 20% of all people complain about everything. When those people discover RU-vid and find your video... well, you know what happens :P I installed a curt class II hitch a few months ago, I've been using it to transport my mountain bikes. I have a class II to III adapter with a 4 inch rise. I've been interested in purchasing a cargo basket. My requirement is that it folds up (just like yours), but I may want some more cargo capacity. I have a roof cargo basket, but it affected fuel economy by 4-9 mpg (I drive a 2015 Forester XT), so I avoid using it. I notice that my MPG's are unchanged by hauling the mountain bikes behind my Forester.

very helpful, thank you --- I love your method of presentation --- great photography gives us a view of the attached basket from all angles --- super!

Thanks Rick , debating between the hitch basket or the roof rack!

A lot better than driving around with extra space and weight most of the time.

there is a u-bolt clamp that bolts on hitch receiver that secures the receiver and gets rid of the rattle.

That good start 👏👏👏= Let’s get this video start it!

I love ours I think a flater style roof rack would work for my needs. I have an inflatable fishing raft. Inflated when out fishing for a few days I could slide the raft or even 2 on top and strap them down for the weekend. I have a hitch mount bike rack. I am short and I really hate trying to get my mountain bike on a roof rack I always let someone else do it since I am short and it is a pain for me.

if the rocking back and forth is a problem they make a anti vibration bracket for about 15.00 that will fix.....

Man you are like -- this close to convincing me to get this Rick

Hi Rick, been watching some of your vids and here's my situation. I currently own a 2013 Scion FR-S which is essentially a Subaru because it was built in a Subaru factory and has the 2L Subaru boxer engine. It's rear wheel drive. Great car, handles well, reliable, good though not great power (200 h.p,) for a sports car, but I'm an avid hiker and backpacker and this car won't get me to some of the trailheads because of it's low clearance and fussy low profile tires. My friend has a 2014 Forester, I've driven it, it doesn't handle as well as the FR-S, but I like it and think I've got the sports car out of my system and want a more hiker friendly car. But I'm a single guy and rarely carry more than one passenger and I'm thinking maybe I don't need something as big as a Forester and the Crosstrek would be better for me. Thinking of going for the 2019 Crosstrek although I wish it had more power, but it's not a deal breaker. Need some advice, encouragement from you and anybody else please. Sorry for the longwinded comment.

Just get a second Subaru and store the roof box on that. :) I get your case - keeping the bikes up top is more secure. I use a Montague bike so I use a roofbox. That said I'm going to add a hitch so I can add even more stuff. It's just on long trips to Colorado where we stop at a hotel once or twice, I don't like worrying about the security of the stuff on the hitch versus what is inside the car or in the locked roofbox.

Good stuff Rick. Hope all is well.

Puoi fare piccoli spostamenti con cabina sul portellone posteriore agganciata alla pedana sul gancio

What is the impact on the backup camera an auto braking when the cart is up and down?

You always have great videos what's the most weight u have hauled on a trailer with your crosstrek,? Did u have cvt over heating

Great video!

Hello Rick, I have a query for you. I am about to implement the same solution as you for my Subaru but at the moment of choosing the hitch basket, I found 2 models: 18151 and 18153; the differences between them are mainly 2: 1. The cots (18153 is $150 more expensive) 2. The way that the angled shank (18153) elevates the carrier basket for more ground clearance. My question is, do you think that this angled shank elevation is needed / desirable? or is it enough ground clearance with high that the car provides to the basket? BTW, i think you brought the 18151 model. Thank you for you insight on this matter, it will be highly appreciated.

I have this but in the 60x24. You will want to get a hitch tightener because they wobble bad.

Nice video, I wonder if it would fir an 05 Honda CR/V folded up?

La rete sulla pedana sul gancio la levi e vai giù coi piedi e poi chiudi solo il rettangolo della pedana in modo che non si vedano i piedi questa pedana io la uso per trasportare un taglia erba manuale con trazione quando arrivò a destinazione monto la cabina sul portellone agganciata alla pedana sul gancio ok

Just came across video…great information. We have a 21 and need a hitch basket..with the 60”, do you find any concerns with the slight overhang on either side?

I thought the biggest negative was how slow it is

Looks great! Is there ever a situation where you would need lights or reflectors on the back of your hitch carrier?

What about registration plate, and back light (+break light) and back camera? ... I have never seen any thing like that in Sweden for cargo. But for bicykles. But to make it legal you need break light at the rear end if they are hidden ...

Hi Rick, I do a lot of yard work (leaves, grass etc) would it be suitable for a 30 Gal Roughneck Non-Wheeled Trash Can : (#2979) Size: 31.69 x 25 x 16.41. How would you make sure those don't fall while taking them to the city compost area

If you drive around with the carrier folded up it blocks reading the license plate...the cops may stop/cite you for that? -- BR

Thanks Rick for the informative video. I got a question, you mentioned that the tongue weight of the Crosstrek is 200lbs. Is that the capacity of your Curt trailer hitch you installed or is that the maximum capacity that the Crosstrek can only handle regardless of the type of hitch you install? Thx

Great vid 👍🏽

Or you get the extended roof rails and have a roof carrier and the bike carrier and then have the basket and have ALL the cargo space.

would be my solution but...the weather in iowa. it would ruin stuff

Hi Rick. New to your channel. I was wondering what would you think about carrying kids bicycles in this basket. I go camping every 2 or 3 months and being thinking of putting a roof basket and a hitch bike rack, but considering this can serve both. Thanks for the videos. I own a 2019 Crosstrek myself.

Hi Rick, How does the basket effect the back up camera and safety sensors that are on the bumper?

I just got exact Curt hitch that you have. It comes with two leveling spacers that are supposed to be optional. I see in this video the basket seems to tilt to the front a bit. is it because of the hitch spacers? I'm debating if I should use the spacers or not when installing the hitch.

great！I love it

My issues with this car.. no lumbar support, no back ac, small glove box and center console, no sunglass holder, no other storage on the dash, small trunk, no auto lift gate and SOO FUCK SLOW!!

Hey Rick, How noisy / "rattly" is this set up? For instance shaking up / down or side to side while driving. Noises etc; I just got the Curt hitch from Etrailer for my 2018 Forester.

hi did you put any lift kit on your car?if not is the tire rubbing?

I bought the sane one after watching your video and when I got to Yosemite it seemed like the basket was hanging lower. Any clues of what could have happened or has it happened to you?

I had the roof basket...there nice but it drops your mpg...

Why didn't you just get the subaru forester

Holy balls that's long. I don't think your tongue weight is accurate at that distance, it's going to nearly double the loading on the car body versus 200lbs working down force on a ball.

Screw the haters Rick #Instablock ! 👊🏻

4th reason: MPG can plummet with a roof carrier.

Puoi fare con L auto tragitti più o meno di 25 km a velocità di 80 km orari con cabina montata sul portellone posteriore agganciata alla pedana sul gancio se poi fai dei lunghi viaggi tiri su la pedana montata sul gancio e viaggi bene e parcheggi bene ok

你的越野轿车还在开啊。

Just pile all your luggage on the roof, no need for tie downs The vehicle cannot gather enough speed to blow them off the roof Don't waste your money

I have sent you email bout my vehicle update