I dont understand!

I got this at cars101:

Towing a Subaru behind a motorhome or a tow truck
The following is from Subaru Helpline Update, Feb 1999
updated November 2009 about automatic and CVT transmission

There has been a change to the policy regarding towing of Subaru vehicles behind motorhomes. The following applies to 1990 through present model year Legacy (Including Outback), 1993 through present year Impreza (incl. Outback Sport), and 1992 through present year SVX. (Note: should also include 1998 through present year Forester. Joe)

The factory hitch is 1.25" a 2" hitch can be installed aftermarket

Manual Transmission:
All Wheel Drive vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground or with all four wheels off the ground on a trailer but towing an AWD vehicle must never be attempted with only two wheels on the ground or two wheels on a dolly.

STI, to tow: DCCD must be in manual mode, with the DCCD control dial set to the furthest rearward position (rolled toward rear seat).

Front Wheel Drive vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground in neutral or with the two front wheels off the ground.

Automatic Transmission

November 2009. Automatic transmission and CVT vehicles can be towed with all wheels on the ground in an emergency for very short distance (under 31 miles) and at very slow speed (under 20mph).

AWD automatic 4 and 5 speed vehicles should not be towed with any wheels on the ground. The vehicle can only be towed on a trailer with all 4 wheels off the ground and the transmission in park.

Note: always inspect and check your car- radiator, coolant, all hoses, all fluids, brakes, towing equipment, lights etc

We purchased a 2013 AWD Subaru crosstrek specifically for towing behind our class C because of the weight. Any other vehicle was too heavy for our GVWR.
Initially we were told we couldn't tow flat, but we contacted the manufacturer and they said yes the manual can be towed flat so we went ahead with our purchase.
When we began towing we did experience the breaks locking up a couple of times, usually at the end of the day. even brake told us there was a vacuum in the lines and to pump the breaks 3 times on the tow vehicle and then hook up. I do that every morning now before we take off and haven't had a problem.

Pangaea Ron wrote:

Sabluka wrote:
Ron - So you bought a Front wheel drive CR-V or a 4-wheel drive RV?

RR

I just bought a 2014 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L and have towed it 4,500 miles, I do wish that the RV was 4WD.

I do have a friend with a 4WD 24' Class C Triple E MH with a Roo guard and a front winch that we will spend September with wandering through Montana. I am disappointed when I see his MH and there is not mud splattered up the sides?

I did have an issue with my Even-Brake System locking up the brakes on the CR-V and it stopped the MH from 60 mph. Unfortunately it did a very good job, and stopped it straight with lots of screeching and smoke, and squared-off all 4 tires with only 1,800 miles on them, that needed to be replaced.

Yeah a 4WD MH wld be great to have.

Locking up breaks wow! Scary..I'll have to remember that when I get mine wired..glad you mentioned it.

RR

Sabluka wrote:
Ron - So you bought a Front wheel drive CR-V or a 4-wheel drive RV?

RR

I just bought a 2014 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L and have towed it 4,500 miles, I do wish that the RV was 4WD.

I do have a friend with a 4WD 24' Class C Triple E MH with a Roo guard and a front winch that we will spend September with wandering through Montana. I am disappointed when I see his MH and there is not mud splattered up the sides?

I did have an issue with my Even-Brake System locking up the brakes on the CR-V and it stopped the MH from 60 mph. Unfortunately it did a very good job, and stopped it straight with lots of screeching and smoke, and squared-off all 4 tires with only 1,800 miles on them, that needed to be replaced.

Ron - So you bought a Front wheel drive CR-V or a 4-wheel drive RV?

RR

Sabluka wrote:


Well I sure like the Honda CR-Vs looks, reliability, and of course proven track record of towing. I guess that wld be the FWD tho..Front Wheel Drive Model.

That's what we did and love it.

Older Subies were FWD then 4WD. The 4WD was "Four High" only and could be engaged with a switch. Then they went AWD. Full-Time All-Wheel Drive. Anything I've ever seen or heard about those is that they ARE flat towable ONLY WITH Manual Transmission.
Part of the confusion may be that we are talking about "recreational towing" of a working vehicle behind an RV over a long distance and high speed. Not "disabled/damaged vehicle towing" with a tow truck or wrecker for several miles. I would NOT want to tow an AWD with any kind of driveline problem on anything but a flatbed wrecker.

Sabluka wrote:

The reason is that on hard dry pavement the front and rear wheels will often have a different rotational speed Also the right and left (Front mostly) this is because of the way the vehicle corners.

RR

years back when I had a subaru when I would put it in 4 wheel drive after a short period it would jump out of 4x4. discovered it was because I had put some snow tires on the rear that were a different size from the front. when the strain got too much, it solved that by disengaging.
bumpy

Dirty - I see now...you got that info from the Remco site.

thanks

RR

Paul - Talked to Jeff in ANC.

He said what Paul said. He then said he had a customer with a manual transmission AWD Subaru and he towed it for years with no problem.

So I guess you pay your $ and take your chances.

RR