Forum Discussion

TravelinTess's avatar
TravelinTess
Explorer
Sep 19, 2014

Subaru Forester as dinghy

I'm looking for a dinghy with awd and better clearance than my current Hyundai Accent. Found that now that I'm full-timing I want to explore those dirt roads more! I'm in a 27' Winni Sightseer MH. Have owned Subarus in the past and could find nothing wrong with the cars. Researching the Forester 2.5 manual trannie as a dinghy. Has anyone had experience with this car as a TOAD???? Thanks in advance with any assistance.
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2014
    AFAIK, ALL Subarus with manual transmissions are towable four down.
    NO automatic transmission Subaru can be towed four down.
    I don't know of ANY modification that will make an auto tranny Subie towable four down.
    NO Subaru can be towed on a dolly.
  • nomadictxn's avatar
    nomadictxn
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2014
    Hi, I own a 2014 manual Forester with the intent eventually of using it as a toad. Love this little SUV and quite a bit better than previous 2010 Forester. Please let us know what equipment you use.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Sep 19, 2014
    I have been towing my manual transmission Forester for 4 years now. If it died today, I would get another.
  • LetsRV's avatar
    LetsRV
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Towed a manual trans Forester (2009) for 5 years. No issues and would do it again in a minute.
  • EsoxLucius's avatar
    EsoxLucius
    Explorer
    Sep 21, 2014
    I'd look at the Subaru Crosstrek XV. Lighter than the Forester, almost as much room inside, and more ground clearance.
  • Captjack's avatar
    Captjack
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2014
    Towed my 2001 Forester for about 40K miles…traded it in for a 2013 CRV at about 115K on the odometer because I wanted an AT equipped toad that was also AWD. Subbies have the best FWD full-time drive for use in snowy conditions. The AT equipped CRV is a front wheel drive vehicle that provides some rear wheel drive if it detects wheel slip. Not quite the same as the Subby. FWIW
  • TravelinTess's avatar
    TravelinTess
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2014
    Thanks, everyone for your replies. My RV is a winnebago sightseer 26P with a blue ox aladdin towbar. I have an Invisibrake supplemental braking system that I would transfer to the "new" toad. My intention is to find a manual transmission vehicle; seems less hassle to set up when ready to hit the road. I've owned automatic Legacy wagons in the past and loved them.

    By the way, what does AFAIK mean????? ;-)

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