DEAR CAR TALK: I bought a 2022 Subaru Forester back in December. I also paid to have the dealer install a trailer hitch.

Well, all these months later, I've been getting the runaround from Subaru of America and the dealership saying that they don't know when the hitch for the 2022 Forester will be available.

So, do you think it would be safe to get U-Haul or another trailer company to install a hitch, or would it be better to wait and have the dealer install a Subaru-approved hitch?

The dealership claims that the Subaru hitch would be safer because they remove the rear bumper to install it and then put the bumper back on after installation. — Brian

DEAR READER: The dealer is right that the best way to install a trailer hitch is to remove the bumper and the bumper beam and install the hitch between the bumper beam and the frame (or unibody) of the car. That makes it part of the structure of the car.

Subaru's own trailer hitch is designed to be installed that way. But not all hitches are. There are good aftermarket hitches that just bolt into the frame on the underside of the car. Those are a lot easier and faster to install. And they might be fine for what you need. You can check the maximum capacity of any hitch and see if it covers your needs.

For instance, if you're just putting a bike rack back there that requires 300 pounds of tongue weight when loaded, an aftermarket hitch might be fine. But if you're towing your house or your cabin cruiser around, you'd probably want a more heavy-duty installation.

U-Haul tends to install the simpler, aftermarket hitches. But if you can find a Subaru hitch — online or from another dealer — most reputable body shops can install the Subaru hitch via the bumper method.

If you hear the shop foreman yell, "Hey, any of you guys ever install a trailer hitch on a Forester??" keep looking. But if the Subaru hitch just isn't available anywhere right now, then you'll have to decide between an under-car frame mounted hitch or waiting, Brian.

DEAR CAR TALK: My 2010 Ford Escape hybrid with 70,000 miles has been a wonderful car. It has never needed repair. Only new brakes and tires. But in the last year, it's been making a clunk-clunk sound that comes from the very rear of the car. I hear it every time I go over a bump in the road.

I have grabbed everything in the back of the car and made sure nothing is loose. I've screwed down anything that might possibly make a noise, checked the rear window and rear hatch, and even replaced the window shocks and rear hatch shocks — to no avail. What could be making this clunking sound with every bump or turn? — Robert

DEAR READER: Seventy thousand miles and never needed repair? Well, that's about to change, Robert.

I'm assuming you're not on a bowling team, so it's not your spare ball rolling around back there. I'll also assume you checked to be sure the spare tire is secure, if you have one.

But from my vast experience (or what my late brother called my half-vast experience), I'm going to guess you're looking too high, Robert. You're looking for something in the cargo area. I think it's more likely that the sound is coming from under your car.

If you're lucky, it's something as simple as the tailpipe hitting the underside of the car. On a car that's 12 years old, one or more of the hangers that hold the tailpipe in place could be broken or rotted away. That would allow the tailpipe to hit the car's undercarriage, or something else near it.

If that's not it, the noise could be coming from a worn-out suspension part. A bad strut or strut mount could make this kind of noise. So could a worn-out sway bar bushing.

But start by having your mechanic put it up on the lift and giving your tailpipe the "shake test." Hopefully, it'll fail that test, and your problem will be quickly and easily solved. Good luck.

Ray Magliozzi dispenses advice about cars in Car Talk every Saturday. Email him by visiting cartalk.com

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