2016 Suburu Forester NOT listed as Dingby?

ATTN: MODERATOR:

CAN you find out why Subaru is not listed this year?

Lawyers and Risk Managers...

ccchuck wrote:
ATTN: MODERATOR:

CAN you find out why Subaru is not listed this year?

Find out from who? Subaru? You've already done that.

I’m just here to keep the forum within the guidelines and rules. I don’t work here, just a volunteer.

Let me clarify -
I'm told the owner's manual reference to flat towing has been the same the last 3 years.
Motorhome said ok to tow last year.
Motorhome now says no.
My question to Motorhome is what changed? Did Subaru say no this year, or what?
In the mean time FMCA still says yes to Subaru flat towing.

I was hoping you at least knew who might explain this change to us end users, or have some idea how to work this up the food chain.

... and thanks for what you do.

Interesting about the authority of Motorhome Magazine in this. I haven't read their dinghy guide recently, but my recall is they say they list only those vehicles OK Per Manufacturer. Perhaps the wording in Subie owner's manuals comes across to the MHM editors as NOT OK'ing recreational towing.

The Subaru Owner's Manual wording regarding towing is the same as 2016 for several years past and the corresponding past Motorhome Magazine Dinghy Guides list manual transmission Subarus as flat towable.

A few years ago Scion refused to support flat towing after many years of its support. Now they again are recommended for flat towing.

I wouldn't put too much stock in one source. Look at the totality of the evidence for flat towing the 2016 Subarus.

ccchuck wrote:
I was hoping you at least knew who might explain this change to us end users, or have some idea how to work this up the food chain.

Your best bet is to use the Contact Us and write a letter to the editor. That said you're best bet is doing what Subaru says, anything else is just an opinion and they won't know all the in/out and changes. It's just a resource, the Owners Manual the factor are your legitimate source. I know you emailed Subaru before, you might email them back and emphasis you are looking to or Recreational Flat 4-Wheel down towing information.

I have a 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek...for what its worth, there is no mention of "recreational towing" in the owners manual. It's listed under "In Case of Emergency". Just looked at the manual for the 2016 Forester and it's listed the same way.

But I wouldn't go by what that dinghy towing guide says. I would go by what the manufacturer says. Afterall, when there's an issue, a dinghy towing guide is not gonna back you up or get your issue fixed. And they are not always correct. For instance, they do not list the 2015 Ford Focus as towable.. but if you go to the Ford RV and Trailer towing guide for 2015, it shows that they are with exception of 2 models.

thanks guys, this has been a little odd, my dealer promised to get back to me.. etc, still waiting, guess I will try Subaru again. It does seem something changed.
Or maybe I'll just buy a HR-V with manual trans.

any way appreciate the effort, should I learn anything I will share.

From a FMCA post:
I purchased a 2016 WRX in October 2015. Before I purchased this car I sent an email to Subaru corporate asking if I can tow this car behind a MotorHome. I received a email stating YES as long as it is a manual transmission car. A few months later I read that if it has a push button start car it can't be towed. My car had this option installed. Sent another email to Subaru asking about the push button start and after several back and forth with them they finally stated that Subaru does not recommend flat towing ANY 2016 Subaru. At this point as a result of the first email they purchased the car back and sent me a check to cover all of my out of pocket cost. It was a great car and I can't say enough good things about Subaru as they treated me more than fair.

Edited yesterday at 9:16 AM by franktr