2017 Forester for Towing Behind M/H

From the 2017 Subaru Forester Owners Manual, I read Section 9-16 and it is for emergency towing and not for towing behind a motor home.

Towing with all wheels on the ground
1.Release the parking brake and put the transmission in the “N”/neutral position.
2.The ignition switch should be in the “ON” position while the vehicle is being towed.
3.Take up slack in the tow line slowly to prevent damage to the vehicle

If you read more it states someone is in the Forester steering it and using the brakes. It also states the CVT models can also be emergency towed in this manner at speeds under 20 MPH and less than 31 miles
Dick

I tow a 2009 Forester, manual tranny. Per Subaru of America, as of 2016 NO Subaru's are recommended for 4-down towing. No one is quite sure why they changed their position on this, but word from the company is don't do it. Clear position statement in the 2016 FMCA towing guide. ST

Some 17 models offer a manual trans, some don't. A manual should be towable.

Mark

dicknellen wrote:

Ductape wrote:
Manual transmission Subies are towable. Autos not.

No 2016 Subaru's are approved by Subaru for 4 down or on a dolly, probably the same for 2017. Dick

Unfortunately the internet is full of opinions spread as fact. If anyone cares, read section 9-16 of the 2017 Forester owner's manual, where the instructions for flat towing are given. Some are obviously confused because they either don't know the difference between a CVT and manual transmission, or the difference between approving towing one transmission vs. prohibiting the other.

I'm not interested in further debating this topic, best wishes to the OP in sorting it out.

Ductape wrote:
Manual transmission Subies are towable. Autos not.

No 2016 Subaru's are approved by Subaru for 4 down or on a dolly, probably the same for 2017. Dick

MARKW8 wrote:
There might not be anymore manuals.

Many have ditched them in favor of online or DVDs, here are the Subaru Owners Manuals

CVT transmission

There might not be anymore manuals.

Mark

Manual transmission Subies are towable. Autos not.

Normph wrote:
Is the 2017 Subaru Forester flat towable behind a motorhome?

From another forum. "Is the 2017 Subaru Forester flat towable behind a motorhome. Just to be sure, we called Subaru and they said that NO you can't tow it four down. In fact all four wheels need to be off the ground."

Our friends tow their few year old Forester manual 4 down. Chris