2015 Subaru Manual Transmission

[Bearly]

Can I tow a 2015 Subaru Forester with manual transmission 4 wheels down without damaging the car?

[Grumpy374]

Bearly, I have pretty much the same setup. Blue Ox base plate, Ready Brake surge system, and Roadmaster Sterling bars. Installed the base plate myself, took about 2 hours. Instructions with the base plate are quite good and will take you through it step by step. If your a car nut or a do it your selfer it's not hard.
Grumpy

[Bearly]

Thank you SO MUCH for the information. I have pulled a 5th wheel for years but moving on to an RV is an entirely new experience.

[Bobbo]

I'm not tenbear, but I have a Blue Ox base plate on my Subaru Forester and tow with a Ready Brute Elite tow bar/surge brake combo. If I were to replace it today, I would go with exactly the same system.

[tenbear]

I have had the same tow bar since 2004 and I forget the name but it is a Blue Ox. The current equivalent tow bar I believe is the BX7445 Aventa LX Towbar. I use the Blue Ox Patriot brake box. The base plate is specific to the car so my base plate may or may not fit your Subaru unless it is a 2010 Impreza sedan.

Would I buy the same now? I know there are newer setups and I have not explored them.

I know you specifically asked about manual transmission but it is worth repeating that the automatic transmission is not towable.

[Bearly]

Thanks so much tenbear. Do you mind if I ask one more question? What type of hardware do you have installed on your Subaru and RV for towing? Thanks. Bill

[tenbear]

I have a 2010 Subaru that I have towed since it was new. Tows great.

The 2015 Motorhome Magazine Dingy Towing Guide just arrived and it says that the 2015 manual transmission Subarus are towable 4 wheels down. I wouldn't even bother to check it out.

[FireGuard]

Check out the wireless systems.
One I used had a 1 piece magnetic brakelight/turn signal assembly approx 14" long and a small transmitter that plugs into your tow veh elec outlet.
Around $200 or so.
Only downside is that the light assembly needs to be recharged about every 12 hrs or so.

[Grumpy374]

Bearly, don't think a Subi dealer would wire it for you, probably due to liability. Not hard to do yourself, or if you can't, get a local guy if you know one.
I wired mine using an inexpensive rear bike rack that slides into my Subi's hitch. Mounted a simple crossbar to the top, mounted a pair of led boat trailer lights. Ran wire thru vehicle up to grill. Now I just plug into both ends when towing, and unplug and remove the lights when I'm not.
Grumpy

[Bearly]

I've gotten some REALLY good feedback on my question yesterday Bobbo. Thank you for responding. I have read the Subaru Owner's Manual but wanted confirmation before I plunked down money. My wife has a 2006 Subaru Forester and I think I'll have to pri it out of her hands to trade it in on a new one. She LOVES it.

[EsoxLucius]

Old Days wrote:
You should ask a Subaru dealer about it.

No, often not an authoritative source. The owner's manual for the model in question would be authoritative.

[Bobbo]

Old Days wrote:
I own a 2009 Subaru Forester it is not a manual transmission, but I would be worried about the all wheel drive system. You should ask a Subaru dealer about it.

Why is it that after people who tow Subarus all the time answer the question, someone who knows nothing about towing Subarus chimes in?

Disclaimer: I've been towing my standard transmission 2010 Subaru since, well, 2010.

To reiterate, manual transmission Subarus can be towed 4 down. Automatic transmission Subarus can NOT be towed 4 down, neither can they be towed on a dolly. Automatic transmission Subarus MUST be towed 4 up on a trailer.

[Bearly]

Thank you SO MUCH Grumpy374. To me is sure looked ok if we went the the manual transmission. My wife has a Subaru Forester and I think I'll have to pry it our of her hands before I can trade it in on a new one. She LOVES it. Do you know if most Subaru dealers can wire it up for towing or should I have a local guy do it? Thanks again for putting my mind at ease.

[Grumpy374]

Yes you can. Almost all Subies WITH A MANUAL TRANNY, can be towed, 4 down, with no restrictions as to speed or milage. We tow a 2013 Subi Crosstrek, no problem at all.
New 2015 edition of MH Towing Guide still lists all Subies with a manual tranny as towable 4 down.
Owners manual states manual tranny can be towed 4 down.
Get one and enjoy. Wife is on her third Subi Outback and I'm on my third Subi, the XV. Super reliable, best all wheel drive in the business, pretty much trouble free.
Grumpy

[Old_Days]

I own a 2009 Subaru Forester it is not a manual transmission, but I would be worried about the all wheel drive system. You should ask a Subaru dealer about it.