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EnglishDriving tips -> Trailer towing for your Subaru Forester 2019-2024
Trailer towing
414
connector to the towing trailer’s wire
harness.
9. Confirm proper function of the hitch
electrical wire harness by individually
and combination activating the brake,
stop and turn signal lights on the trailer.
errors or omissions in the instructions
accompanying such equipment or for your
failure to follow the proper instructions.
Regularly check that the hitch mounting
bolts and nuts are tightened securely.
8-13. Trailer towing
CAUTION
Turn off the Auto Start Stop system
when you are towing the vehicle
(except for Subaru Forester
Wilderness).
& Warranties and maintenance
SUBARU warranties do not apply to
vehicle damage or malfunction caused by
trailer towing. If you use your vehicle to tow
a trailer, more frequent maintenance will
be required due to the additional load.
(Refer to “Maintenance schedule under
severe driving conditions” in the “Warranty
and Maintenance Booklet”.)
Under no circumstances should a trailer be
towed with a new vehicle or a vehicle with
any new powertrain component (engine,
transmission, differential, wheel bearings,
etc.) for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
driving.
NOTE
Always disconnect the trailer electrical
wire harness before launching or re-
trieving a watercraft.
Your vehicle is designed and intended to
be used primarily as a passenger-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional
loads on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain,
brakes, tires and suspension and has an
adverse effect on fuel economy.
If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safety
and satisfaction depend upon proper use
of correct equipment and cautious opera-
tion of your vehicle.
Seek the advice of your SUBARU dealer to
assist you in purchasing a hitch and other
necessary towing equipment appropriate
for your vehicle. Do not use towing equip-
ment other than genuine SUBARU towing
equipment. In addition, be sure to follow
the instructions for proper installation and
use provided by the trailer or caravan’s
manufacturer.
& If not towing a trailer
.
Remove the ball mount from the hitch
receiver tube.
Place the dust cap over the four-pin
connector of the hitch electrical wire
harness to protect against possible
damage.
Occasionally lubricate terminals of the
four-pin connector using terminal
grease.
.
.
& Maximum load limits
WARNING
Never exceed the maximum load
limits explained in the following.
Exceeding the maximum load limits
could cause personal injury and/or
vehicle damage.
SUBARU assumes no responsibility for
injuries or vehicle damage that result from
trailer towing equipment, or from any
Trailer towing 415
Maximum total trailer weight
CAUTION
Conditions
For Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Except for Subaru Forester
Wilderness
.
.
Adequate size trailer brakes are
required when the trailer and its
cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)
total weight.
When towing a trailer with
brakes
3,000 lbs (1,360 kg)
1,500 lbs (680 kg)
When towing a trailer without
brakes
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
Before towing a trailer, check the
trailer total weight, GVW, GAWs
and tongue load. Make sure the
load and its distribution in your
vehicle and trailer are acceptable.
When towing a trailer on an
uphill grade continuously for
over 5 miles (8 km) with an
outside temperature of 1048F
(408C) or above
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
! Total trailer weight
Total trailer weight
The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus
its cargo load) must never exceed the
maximum total trailer weight in the follow-
ing table.
– CONTINUED –
Trailer towing
416
! Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
! Gross Axle Weight (GAW) and
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
Certification label
GVWR of your vehicle that is given by
SUBARU is shown on the certification
label located at the bottom of driver’s side
door pillar of your vehicle.
Gross Axle Weight
Gross Vehicle Weight
The total weight applied to each axle
(GAW) must never exceed the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). The front and rear
GAWs can be adjusted by relocating
passengers and luggage inside the vehi-
cle. The front and rear GAWR of your
vehicle that is given by SUBARU are also
shown on the certification label located at
the bottom of driver’s side door pillar.
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) must
never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR).
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the com-
bined total of the weight of the vehicle,
driver, passengers, luggage, trailer hitch,
trailer tongue load and any other optional
equipment installed on your vehicle.
Therefore, the GVW changes depending
on the situation. Determine the GVW each
time before going on a trip by putting your
vehicle and trailer on a vehicle scale.
To check both GVWR and GAWR and to
confirm that the total weight and weight
distribution are within safe driving limits,
you should have your vehicle and trailer
weighed at a commercial weighing station.
Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to
Trailer towing 417
prevent a change in weight distribution
while driving.
! Tongue load
1
2
Jack
Bathroom scale
F: Front
The tongue load can be adjusted by proper
distribution of the load in the trailer. Never
load the trailer with more weight in the
back than in the front; approximately 60
percent of the trailer load should be in the
front and approximately 40 percent in the
rear. Also, distribute the load as evenly as
possible on both the left and right sides.
The tongue load can be weighed with a
bathroom scale as shown in the illustration
above. When weighing the tongue load, be
sure to position the towing coupler at the
height at which it would be during actual
towing, using a jack as shown.
Tongue load
Ensure that the trailer tongue load is from 8
to 11% of the total trailer weight and does
not exceed the maximum value of 150 lbs
(68 kg) for Forester, 300 lbs (136 kg) for
Subaru Forester Wilderness.
Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to
prevent a change in weight distribution
while driving.
– CONTINUED –
Trailer towing
418
When the tow ball mount is not used, place
the ball cap and store securely.
WARNING
CAUTION
If the trailer is loaded with more
weight in the back of trailer’s axle
than in the front, the load is taken off
the rear axle of the towing vehicle.
This may cause the rear wheels to
skid, especially during braking or
when vehicle speed is reduced dur-
ing cornering, resulting in over-
steer, spin out and/or jackknifing.
.
.
Do not modify the vehicle ex-
haust system, brake system, or
other systems when installing a
hitch or other trailer towing
equipment.
& Connecting a trailer
! Trailer brakes
WARNING
Do not use axle-mounted hitches
as they can cause damage to the
axle housing, wheel bearings,
wheels or tires.
.
.
Adequate size trailer brakes are
required when the trailer and its
cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)
total weight.
Do not use a trailer hitch other than a
genuine SUBARU trailer hitch. A genuine
SUBARU trailer hitch is available from
your SUBARU dealer.
Do not directly connect your
trailer’s hydraulic brake system
to the hydraulic brake system in
your vehicle. Direct connection
would cause the vehicle’s brake
performance to deteriorate and
could lead to an accident.
& Trailer hitches
WARNING
Never drill the frame or under-body
of your vehicle to install a commer-
cial trailer hitch. If you do, danger-
ous exhaust gas, water or mud may
enter the passenger compartment
through the drilled hole. Exhaust
gas contains carbon monoxide, a
colorless and odorless gas which is
dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.
Also, drilling the frame or under-
body of your vehicle could cause
deterioration of strength of your
vehicle and cause corrosion around
the drilled hole.
& When you do not tow a trailer
CAUTION
If your trailer’s total weight (trailer weight
plus its cargo weight) exceeds 1,000 lbs
(453 kg), the trailer is required to be
equipped with its own brake system.
Electric brakes or surge brakes are re-
commended, and must be installed prop-
erly. Check that your trailer’s brakes con-
form with Federal, state/province and/or
other applicable regulations. Your
SUBARU’s brake system is not designed
to be tapped into the trailer’s hydraulic
brake system. Please ask your SUBARU
.
.
The housing should be kept free
of dirt and corrosion at the points
of contact. The surfaces only
require cleaning with a cloth.
Grease or other lubricants
should never be used.
If the tow ball mount is not
installed, the plastic insert
should then be inserted for pro-
tection and to prevent it from
getting dirty.
Trailer towing 419
dealer and professional trailer supplier for
more information about the trailer’s brake
system.
Connection of trailer lights to your vehicle’s
electrical system requires modifications to
the vehicle’s lighting circuit to increase its
capacity and accommodate wiring
changes. To ensure the trailer lights are
connected properly, please consult your
SUBARU dealer. Check for proper opera-
tion of the turn signals and the brake lights
each time you connect a trailer to your
vehicle.
! Side mirrors
! Trailer safety chains
WARNING
Always use safety chains between
your vehicle and the trailer. Towing
trailer without safety chains could
create a traffic safety hazard if the
trailer separates from the hitch due
to coupling damage or hitch ball
damage.
! Tires
WARNING
Never tow a trailer when the tempor-
ary spare tire is used. The temporary
spare tire is not designed to sustain
the towing load. Use of the tempor-
ary spare tire when towing can result
in failure of the spare tire and/or less
stability of the vehicle.
After hitching a trailer to your vehicle,
check that the standard side mirrors
provide a good rearward field of view
without significant blind spots. If significant
blind spots occur with the vehicle’s stan-
dard side mirrors, use towing mirrors that
conform with Federal, state/province and/
or other applicable regulations.
In case the trailer hitch connector or hitch
ball should break or become discon-
nected, the trailer could get loose and
create a traffic safety hazard.
For safety, always connect the towing
vehicle and trailer with trailer safety
chains. Two chains should be used in
total, one to the right side and the other to
the left side trailer tongue. Pass the chains
crossing each other under the trailer
tongue to prevent the trailer from dropping
onto the ground in case the trailer tongue
should disconnect from the hitch ball.
Allow sufficient slack in the chains taking
tight turn situations into account; however,
be careful not to let them drag on the
ground.
Make sure that all the tires on your vehicle
are properly inflated. Refer to “Tires”
�P504.
! Trailer lights
CAUTION
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in
accordance with the trailer manufacturer’s
specifications. Also check federal, state,
province and/or other applicable regula-
tions.
Direct splicing or other improper
connection of trailer lights may
damage your vehicle’s electrical
system and cause a malfunction of
your vehicle’s lighting system.
– CONTINUED –
Trailer towing
420
In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire
when towing a trailer, ask a commercial
road service representative or profes-
sional to repair the flat tire.
.
.
Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-
hitch mounting are in good condition. If
any problems are apparent, do not tow
the trailer.
Check that the vehicle rests horizon-
tally with the trailer attached. If the
vehicle is tipped sharply up at the front
and down at the rear, check the total
trailer weight, GVW, GAWs and tongue
load again, then confirm that the load
and its distribution are acceptable.
Check that the tire rating and pressures
are correct.
Check that the vehicle and trailer are
connected properly. Confirm that:
– The trailer tongue is connected
properly to the hitch ball.
– The trailer lights connector is con-
nected properly and trailer’s brake
lights illuminate when the vehicle’s
brake pedal is pressed, and that the
trailer’s turn signal lights flash when
the vehicle’s turn signal lever is
operated.
– The safety chains are connected
properly.
– All cargo in the trailer is secured
safely in position.
.
.
Towing a trailer in high tempera-
tures, or on long or steep grades,
may cause the vehicle to over-
heat. Refer to “Engine overheat-
ing” �P434.
If you carry a regular size spare tire in your
vehicle or trailer as a precaution against
getting a flat tire, be sure that the spare tire
is firmly secured.
When towing a trailer, steering,
stability, stopping distance and
braking performance will be dif-
ferent when compared to normal
operation. For safety’s sake, you
should employ extra caution
when towing a trailer and you
should never drive at excessive
speeds. You should also keep the
following tips in mind:
& Trailer towing tips
.
.
CAUTION
.
For models equipped with the
BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
driving support systems, when
towing a trailer, press the BSD/
RCTA OFF switch to deactivate
the system. The system may not
operate properly due to the
blocked radar waves. For details
about the BSD/RCTA OFF switch,
refer to “BSD/RCTA OFF switch”
�P365.
.
The braking power of the parking
brake may not be sufficient when
stronger braking power is
needed (e.g., when parking on a
steep slope while towing a trai-
ler).
! Before starting out on a trip
.
Check the towing regulations for trailer
or caravan vehicles that vary by state/
region. Failure to comply with the
procedures set forth will not only
compromise your safety, but will also
negate your insurance coverage and/or
may violate the state road and traffic
acts and regulations.
.
For models equipped with Re-
verse Automatic Braking (RAB)
system, consult your SUBARU
dealer for additional information
about towing a trailer.
– The side mirrors provide a good
rearward field of view without a
significant blind spot.
Trailer towing 421
.
Sufficient time should be taken to learn
the “feel” of the vehicle/trailer combina-
tion before starting out on a trip. In an
area free of traffic, practice turning,
stopping and backing up.
.
Reversing the vehicle with a trailer can
be difficult and requires experience.
Never accelerate or steer rapidly, and
grip the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand.
To reverse around a corner, perform the
following procedure.
1. Reverse slowly and steer in the oppo-
site direction to the way you want to
turn.
2. Once the trailer begins to swing
around, straighten the steering wheel.
3. Turn the wheel in the opposite direc-
tion.
4. Steer the vehicle around to be in line
with the trailer, then straighten the
steering again.
! Driving with a trailer
.
You should allow for considerably more
stopping distance when towing a trailer.
Avoid sudden braking because it may
result in skidding or jackknifing and loss
of control.
.
.
Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and
rapid lane changes.
.
If the ABS warning light illuminates
while the vehicle is in motion, stop
towing the trailer and have repairs
performed immediately by your nearest
SUBARU dealer.
Slow down before turning. Make a
longer than normal turning radius be-
cause the trailer wheels will be closer
than the vehicle wheels to the inside of
the turn. In a tight turn, the trailer could
hit your vehicle.
! Driving on grades
.
Before going down a steep hill, slow
down and shift to a lower gear (if
necessary, use 1st gear) in order to
utilize the engine braking effect and
prevent overheating of your vehicle’s
brakes. Do not make sudden down-
shifts.
.
.
Crosswinds will adversely affect the
handling of your vehicle and trailer,
causing sway. Crosswinds can be due
to weather conditions or the passing of
large trucks or buses. If swaying oc-
curs, firmly grip the steering wheel and
promptly begin decelerating your vehi-
cle at a gradual pace.
When passing other vehicles, consider-
able distance is required because of the
added weight and length caused by
attaching the trailer to your vehicle.
.
.
When driving uphill in hot weather, the
air conditioner may turn off automati-
cally to protect the engine from over-
heating.
When driving uphill in hot weather, pay
– CONTINUED –
Trailer towing
422
attention to the following indicators
because the engine and transmission
are relatively prone to overheating.
! Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both
vehicle and trailer when parking. Apply
the parking brake firmly. You should not
park on a hill or slope. If parking on a hill or
slope cannot be avoided, you should take
the following steps:
1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal
down.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks
under both the vehicle and trailer
wheels.
: Coolant temperature high warning light
: AT OIL TEMP warning light
: Rear differential oil temperature warn-
ing light (if equipped)
If the coolant temperature high warning
light and/or the AT OILTEMP warning light
illuminates, immediately turn off the air
conditioner and stop the vehicle in the
nearest safe location. For further instruc-
tions and additional information, refer to
the following sections.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place,
release the regular brakes slowly until
the blocks absorb the load.
– “If you park your vehicle in case of
an emergency” �P424
– “Engine overheating” �P434
– “Coolant temperature low indicator
light/Coolant temperature high
warning light” �P173
4. Apply the regular brakes and then
apply the parking brake; slowly release
the regular brakes.
5. Shift into “P” position and shut off the
engine.
– “AT OIL TEMP warning light”
�P175
– “Rear differential oil temperature
warning light” �P175
.
Avoid using the accelerator pedal to
stay stationary on an uphill slope
instead of using the parking brake or
foot brake. That may cause the trans-
mission fluid to overheat.
