Subaru Forester Towbars

Subaru Forester Towing Specifics

The Subaru Forester was first introduced in 1997 by the Japanese manufacturer as a compact crossover SUV, offering impressive towing capabilities. We will cover the towing specifics of this model below.

Subaru Forester Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a Subaru Forester vehicle are done so with a dedicated electrics kit, rather than a universal electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit not only ensures all modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors are functional, but also helps to keep your vehicle's warranty unaffected.

We offer both universal and dedicated electrics kits for the Subaru Forester vehicle towbars, but be aware that universal electrics kits can invalidate any manufacturer warranty your vehicle has and may also require a bypass relay.

Check your Subaru warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All tow bars for the Subaru Forester 1997-2008 and 2008-2013 models will not require a bypass relay, if universal electrics are fitted.

All tow bars for the Subaru Forester 2013 onwards models will require a bypass relay, if universal electrics are fitted.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

Whereas a dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar.

All Subaru Forester models will not require coding.

Coding is used to update your vehicles software in order for it to run coherently with the new towbar through the dedicated electrics.

Bumper Cuts

Depending on the towbar, Subaru Forester models will require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar.

All Subaru Forester 1997-2008 models have towbars that require no bumper cuts.

All Subaru Forester 2008-2013 and 2013 onwards models have towbars that require visible and non visible bumper cuts.

Nose Weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball, it is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Nose weight varies depending on the towbar you choose and are displayed under each tow bar below.

All Subaru Forester 1997-2008 models have a nose weight of 75kg up to 85kg.

All Subaru Forester 2008-2013 models have a nose weight of 75kg up to 80kg.

All Subaru Forester 2013 onwards models have a nose weight of 80kg up to 90kg.

Towing Weight

Towing weight is the weight that a Subaru Forester vehicle can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For all Subaru Forester 1997-2008 vehicles, the towbars have a towing weight capacity of 1800kg up to 2135kg.

For all Subaru Forester 2008-2013 vehicles, the towbars have a towing weight capacity of up to 2000kg.

For all Subaru Forester 2013 onwards vehicles, the towbars have a towing weight capacity of 2000kg up to 2150kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your Subaru Forester vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.