2016 Subaru Forester

I don't know who gave you this information but the Forester has had electric power steering for several years now, and the previous years were all approved for dingy towing. So that's not the reason Subaru no longer approves dingy towing. Having worked for the worlds largest automotive manufacturer and knowing how these things come about, I would hazard a guess that the corporate legal types got involved and did a blanket CYA legal liability decision to stop approving dingy towing.

I believe the FMCA towing guide says the Subaru is towable with manual transmission.
Might google to double check.

I purchased a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV (MT) and installed a base plate for dinghy use. I have towed it successfully for several hundred miles without any problems. This vehicle was listed in the 2013, 2014, and 2015 MotorHome Guide to Dinghy Towing as being suitable for towing behind a motorhome with all wheels on the ground.

Since the Crosstrek was not listed in the 2016 dinghy guide, I contacted the dealership from which I purchased the vehicle for clarification. I reminded them that, when I bought the Crosstrek, I indicated that I was going to use it as a motorhome dinghy. I did not receive any advice against using it for that purpose at that time.

In response to my inquiry, I received two calls from the dealership (one from the service manager). I was informed that Subaru Motors had been contacted and they confirmed that the 2013 Crosstrek is suitable for dinghy towing as per the operator's manual instructions, i.e., no speed/distance limitations when towing with the parking brake released, the transmission in neutral, and the ignition set to the ACC position.

I asked why the Subaru's were not included in the 2016 guide. They had no explanation. Assuming nothing related to towing has changed from the earlier models, why is dinghy use now verboten with the 2016 models? As lryro9301 suggests, it is most likely some kind of legal CYA maneuver. I wouldn't give up on using your Forester as a dinghy without further investigation.

If you tow it and have warranty problems, Subaru will probably fight your claims. Dick

My 2005 Subaru tows like a dream. The 2016 Motorhome Magazine Towing guide does NOT say the 2016 Subarus are towable. As others have said, I suspect it is some CYA thing. It would probably have some effect in your warranty. Would it have a harmfull effect on the car? Who knows. I don't think I would want to test it on a car I owned.

Thanx to all for your inputs. I'm inclined to agree that the prohibition on towing is probably a CYA edict from Corporate. My inclination is to rig the Forested for towing.. Cross your fingers.

It might be CYA on the manual trans but it is not that on the automatics. They went to a CVT trans around 2013 or 14 and since then the auto can't be towed four down.

This is the same thing that happened to Honda. At one time great toads but when they went to the CVT type auto transmissions the auto can't be towed four down. It was around 2015 that they changed.

Subaru vehicles with automatic transmissions were not listed in the 2013, 2014, and 2015 towing guides as being suitable for use as a four-down motor home dinghy. Such use was specifically restricted to those vehicles with manual transmissions. Therefore, this year's absence from the towing guide has nothing to do with any factors associated with the automatics.

Normph, I think you will be happy with your decision to rig the Forester for towing.

tenbear wrote:
My 2005 Subaru tows like a dream. The 2016 Motorhome Magazine Towing guide does NOT say the 2016 Subarus are towable. As others have said, I suspect it is some CYA thing. It would probably have some effect in your warranty. Would it have a harmfull effect on the car? Who knows. I don't think I would want to test it on a car I owned.

I made a typo. My Subaru is a 2010, not a 2005.

I also should have mentioned that only manual transmission Subarus, 2015 and earlier were approved by Subaru for towing 4 down. Automatics cannot be towed.

Almost 5k miles this year towing 2009 Suby Forester with a Ready Brute Elite system - very happy with the set up! ST