Get Driving tips -> Trailer hitch Guide for Subaru Forester SUV 2024

^{Trailer hitch (dealer option)}411

The total weight on the roof rails –

including the roof crossbars, roof tent,

and all occupants and contents in the roof

tent – must not exceed either the vehicle’s

roof rail load limit (700 lbs (317 kg) (for

Forester), 800 lbs (360 kg) (for Subaru

Forester Wilderness)), evenly distributed,

or the load limit of the roof crossbars,

whichever is lower.

! When the vehicle is parked on level

8-12. Trailer hitch (dealer op-

tion)

ground

WARNING

Never exceed the maximum

weight specified for the trailer

hitch. Exceeding the maximum

weight could cause an accident

resulting in serious personal in-

juries. Permissible trailer weight

changes depending on the situa-

tion. For possible recommenda-

tions and limitations, refer to

“Trailer towing” �P414.

Load limit of the roof rail (A).

Forester: B + C + D < 700 lbs (317 kg)

Subaru Forester Wilderness: B + C + D

< 800 lbs (360 kg)

Exceeding this load limit could cause

damage to the vehicle or racking system.

The vehicle must never be driven with

occupants in the roof tent. Before the

vehicle is driven, occupants and cargo

must be removed from the roof tent and

the roof rail load must be restored to within

the roof rail load limit of 176 lbs (80 kg).

Refer to the user manual that accompa-

nied the roof tent for important safety

information and instructions on the proper

installation and use of the tent.

Trailer brakes are required when

the towing load exceeds 1,000 lbs

(453 kg). Be sure your trailer has

safety chains and that each chain

will hold the trailer’s maximum

gross weight. Towing trailers

without safety chains could cre-

ate a traffic safety hazard if the

trailer separates from the hitch

due to coupling damage or hitch

ball damage.

Be sure to check the hitch pin and

safety pin for positive locking

placement before towing a trailer.

If the ball mount comes off the

hitch receiver, the trailer could

A: Roof rails

B: Roof crossbars

C: Roof tent

D: Occupants in the roof tent

– CONTINUED –

Trailer hitch (dealer option)

412

When towing a trailer without brakes

Maximum gross trai- Maximum gross ton-

get loose and create a traffic

safety hazard.

trailer hitch. Consult a SUBARU

dealer for purchase of a standard

bumper beam if you do not have

the original.

ler weight

gue weight

Although towing regulations for

trailer or caravan vehicles vary

by state/region, all regulations

agree that specifications such

as the maximum gross trailer

weight must not exceed the les-

ser of the following:

150 lbs (68 kg)

1,000 lbs (453 kg)

Safety performance is decreased

and there is increased risk of

injury to passengers in the case

of an accident if the trailer hitch

or a standard bumper beam is not

installed. One of them must al-

ways be installed on the vehicle.

When towing a trailer, refer to “Trailer

towing” �P414.

–

Maximum gross trailer weight

Maximum gross tongue

weight

If a trailer hitch is installed, it is

not possible to install the rear

towing hook.

–

GVWR

GAWR

The maximum gross trailer weight and

maximum gross tongue weight are indi-

cated in the following table.

Failure to comply with the proce-

dures set forth will not only

compromise your safety, but will

also negate your insurance cov-

erage and/or may violate the state

road and traffic acts and regula-

tions.

When towing a trailer with brakes

Maximum

gross trailer

weight

Maximum

gross tongue

weight

Use only the recommended

SUBARU ball mount that has

been designed to work with this

trailer hitch. Use the hitch only as

a weight carrying hitch. Do not

use with any type of weight dis-

tributing hitch.

Except for

Subaru

1,500 lbs

(680 kg)

150 lbs

(68 kg)

Forester

Wilderness

For Subaru

Forester

Wilderness

300 lbs

(136 kg)

3,000 lbs

(1,360 kg)

The standard bumper beam must

be installed after you remove the

^{Trailer hitch (dealer option)}413

1. Insert the ball mount into the hitch

receiver tube.

2. Insert the hitch pin into the hole located

on the hitch receiver tube so that the

pin passes through the ball mount.

3. Insert the safety pin through the pro-

vided hole on the hitch pin securely.

4. Check the ball mount assembly by

pulling on it to make sure it does not

come off the hitch receiver.

safety chains that will hold the trailer’s

maximum gross weight. The chains

should cross under the trailer tongue to

prevent the tongue from dropping onto

the ground in case it 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.

& Connecting a trailer

WARNING

Do not connect safety chains to any

part of the vehicle other than the

safety chain hooks.

Hitch ball installation point

Hooks for safety chains

5. Use only a hitch ball that is appropriate

for the ball mount and your trailer. The

hitch ball must be securely installed on

the ball mount.

6. Connect your trailer to the hitch ball.

7. Connect the trailer and the hitch with

Ball mount

Hitch pin

Safety pin

Hitch receiver tube

Hitch harness connector

8. Connect the hitch electrical wire har-

ness’s black four-pin electrical wire

– CONTINUED –

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

Driving tips -> Trailer hitch for Your Subaru Forester SUV 2024

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