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rgreenb831's avatar
rgreenb831
Explorer
Aug 14, 2015

Dinghy towing a Subaru

I have been towing a 2012 FWD Prius on a tow dolly behind my Class C and am looking to tow a car 4 wheels down with the expiration of my Prius lease. I am considering buying a 2015 or 2016 Subaru Forester with manual transmission and wondered if anyone has experienced any problems flat-towing a Forester. Has it been difficult attaching a baseplate and braking system to the Forester?
  • Works wonderfully well. Like you said, it must be a manual transmission. I have been towing a Subaru since 2010.

    I hired the installation, so don't know how difficult it was.
  • I tow a 2015 manual transmission Forester.
    It tows very well. I can recommend it without reservation.

    As to the baseplate installation, it was much more than I was willing to tackle on a brand new car. It required removing a good portion of the front end. I had my car dealer install it. They took about 3 hours, which IMHO was money well spent.
  • We tow a 2013 Subi XV Crosstrek, manual of course. Not a Forrester, but a Subi is a Subi. Installed baseplate myself, and if you mechanically inclined, can read and follow instructions, its not hard. Ran my own wiring for lights, have an RVI2 brake system.
    Tows just fine behind our class c. Have going on 8000 miles towing with no problems at all.
    Grumpy
  • For those who want a AWD with some clearance, I think Subaru's are going to gain in popularity as toads especially since CR-Vs with the CVT transmissions are out. Love my Jeep Liberty but mileage is really terrible. Have spoken to numerous people who have Subaru's and everyone spoken to likes their car. Some have repurchased which says a lot. It's on my list when it comes time to purchase.
  • I've been towing a Subaru for many years. No problems.

    I did not install it myself so I can't help you there.
  • I have a 2014 Subaru Forester that will be fitted with a Demco baseplate tomorrow. I purchased a Demco Dominator towbar and the RViBrake2 system. I'm hoping this all works as well as everyone says it will. My motorhome is a 2015 Allegro Open Road 31SA with the Ford V10.
  • You should have no problem with that set up. We pull our 2013 Crosstrek, BlueOx baseplate, Roadmaster bars, and the RVI brake2 system. No problems at all, towing with a class c with Ford V-10. Not going to say you won't know it's there, cause you will...your basically towing a 3300 lb trailer. But fear not, the Ford has enough "ooomph" to tow it, and your setup is a good one.
    Grumpy