Subaru as a Toad August 28, 2017, 03:57:07 pm OK, so we are changing gears (pun intended) and rethinking vehicles as a possible toad for our future Lazy Daze. Since our '17 Outback is not towable 4-down, we are thinking perhaps an older Forester with manual transmission. My understanding is that the automatics cannot be towed flat.I know there are some of you who tow Subaru's so would enjoy hearing your thoughts and experiences. We are thinking a mid-to late 2000's Forester.
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #1 – August 28, 2017, 04:17:41 pm Quote from: HiLola - August 28, 2017, 03:57:07 pmI know there are some of you who tow Subaru's so would enjoy hearing your thoughts and experiences. We are thinking a mid-to late 2000's Forester.Our Toad is a 2010 Forester (basic) with a 5 speed transmission and of course all wheel drive. This car has good ground clearance, which makes it very nice for some back road trips. I'm thinking the curb weight is about 3,250 lbs. It's certainly is a basic vehicle but decent for a Toad. It tows 4 down just fine on a BlueOx towing system. Hope this helps. 1 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #2 – August 28, 2017, 04:33:31 pm "My understanding is that the automatics cannot be towed flat."I'd guess that the supposition here is only for Subaru's, no?I've owned and towed two Honda's, both automatics!
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #3 – August 28, 2017, 04:47:42 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - August 28, 2017, 04:33:31 pm"My understanding is that the automatics cannot be towed flat."I'd guess that the supposition here is only for Subaru's, no?I've owned and towed two Honda's, both automatics! Don't know about every vehicle with automatic but Subaru's AWD is active all the time and as a result can't be towed except on a flatbed for the automatic version.We have been towing a manual 2011 for about 5 years now without problems.Jim 1 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #4 – August 28, 2017, 04:50:20 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - August 28, 2017, 04:33:31 pmI'd guess that the supposition here is only for Subaru's, no?I've owned and towed two Honda's, both automatics! Yes, the Subaru's only. This is according to the Dinghy towing guides. Here is the 2010 guide, for example. Subaru's are on page 25. Wish I could figure out how to do a screen shot of just that page.
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #5 – August 28, 2017, 04:57:06 pm I got my 2011 Subaru Forester about the same time Jim got his. Manual trans, of course. So far, it is fine.Ken F in WY 1 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #6 – August 28, 2017, 09:22:22 pm Can you see it now?This is a test of the Towing Network - BeeeeeeeeP!I'm not clear I've done this correctly, but it looks like the picture is attached. Let's see . . . Virtual hugs, Judie 2 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #7 – August 28, 2017, 09:35:55 pm Bought a 2016 Crosstrek manny tranny. The big differences between the 2007 Forester manny tranny we had are:The two vehicles are about the same size. The new Foresters are mush larger than a 2007 Forster. Crosstrek listed at 3,109 lbs. It is a fun drive but is woeful off the mark. Turn off the A/C when punching it!You placed the Forester key in the ACC position. This unlocked the wheels. I never had an issue with the battery wearing down.You place the Crosstrek key in the ON position. This unlocks the wheels and supposedly gets some fluids flowing; can't remember which. The SUCKY thing about this is the odometer spins in this configuration. Not so with the old Forester. I have yet to do a long trip with the tow set up (next weekend heading to the Black Hills). The radio display is lit up in the ON position so I'm sure it will drain the battery. Going to pull that fuse. The 04's had the old four pin set up with the pigtail they gave us necessitating the splicing into a typical umbilical cord. 1 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #8 – August 29, 2017, 12:53:03 am Quote from: HiLola - August 28, 2017, 03:57:07 pmWe are thinking a mid-to late 2000's Forester.I pulled an 06 Forester XT with 33' SOB until sold both.Would have kept the Forester if I'd thought I'd be getting a LD a few years later.Quote from: huskerblue - August 28, 2017, 09:35:55 pm The new Foresters are mush larger than a 2007 Forster.Agree and it is a con if need to seat 5 - it's possible depending on passenger size but not a fun ride for those in back. I think 08 is when they got bigger.Quote from: huskerblue - August 28, 2017, 09:35:55 pm It is a fun drive but is woeful off the mark. Turn off the A/C when punching it!No problem getting off the mark with the XT. It is quick, fun to drive, and has some guts too. Towed my little 16ft 1500lb boat/trailer up the Sierras at 65mph with no problem - though passengers got a little nervous when zipping past slower "trucks". The XT does require premium and think mileage was in the low to mid 20s which is something to consider.Rich 1 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #9 – August 29, 2017, 09:16:03 am I'm towing a 16 Forester 6 speed. I checked the owners manual before buying. It can be towed four down. The key is left in the acc position. I make sure the radio is off, but charge the car battery from the RV. The car can be movated to move briskly but requires pushing the engine. Passing requires a shift from 6 to 4 and sometimes 3. Not as drastic as it sounds because both 5 and 6 are overdrive. The engine has enough pull to drive happply at 50 in 6th gear. I wish 1st 2nd and R were geared lower. For such a tall car, the Forester handles corners surprisingly well. A interesting side note. The Forester's Bluetooth has a strong signal. I have to turn the iPhone's Bluetooth off when driving in the RV. If I don't incoming calls want to use the car's speakers instead of the wired connection in the RV. 1 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #10 – August 29, 2017, 11:47:36 am Quote from: John DaCrema - August 29, 2017, 09:16:03 amI'm towing a 16 Forester 6 speed. I checked the owners manual before buying. It can be towed four down. The key is left in the acc position. I make sure the radio is off, but charge the car battery from the RV. The car can be movated to move briskly but requires pushing the engine. Passing requires a shift from 6 to 4 and sometimes 3. Not as drastic as it sounds because both 5 and 6 are overdrive. The engine has enough pull to drive happply at 50 in 6th gear. I wish 1st 2nd and R were geared lower. For such a tall car, the Forester handles corners surprisingly well. A interesting side note. The Forester's Bluetooth has a strong signal. I have to turn the iPhone's Bluetooth off when driving in the RV. If I don't incoming calls want to use the car's speakers instead of the wired connection in the RV. Thanks, John. I didn't realize they offered manuals in the newer Foresters. I'll probably stick with a little older one though to avoid putting the key in ACC position.Regarding the bluetooth in the newer Subarus, I've experienced the same thing in our '17 Outback. I'll be sitting in it while in the garage with the key on and DW will be in the house and get a call which comes in over the car's system. Reminds me of the old party lines! 1 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #11 – August 29, 2017, 05:38:39 pm To avoid having to put the key in the ACC position when towing, you would have to go back quite a few years. The reason you put the key in ACC is to unlock the steering wheel. A steering wheel that is free to move, to follow the turns of the RV, is essential to towing 4 down.Ken F in WY 2 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #12 – August 29, 2017, 05:50:06 pm Quote from: Kenneth Fears - August 29, 2017, 05:38:39 pmTo avoid having to put the key in the ACC position when towing, you would have to go back quite a few years. The reason you put the key in ACC is to unlock the steering wheel. A steering wheel that is free to move, to follow the turns of the RV, is essential to towing 4 down.Ken F in WYThanks, my bad. I was confusing Huskerblue's situation of having to leave the key in the "on" position with John's statement of leaving it in "ACC."
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #13 – August 29, 2017, 06:13:38 pm The older manual USED to say put it in the ACC position to tow. The 2016 owners manual says put it all the way to the ON position, not the ACC position. Pull up a manual for each and you will see the change.I have no idea what would happen if a new car is towed in the ACC position but if doing anything outside what the manual instructs voids your warranty.Dave 1 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #14 – August 29, 2017, 08:59:39 pm No matter which car you want to tow, you really need to consult the owner's manual for that particular car. For years any Subaru with a manual transmission was towable. However, an article in the October 2016 FMCA magazine has the following notice: "Subaru has recently changed its stance. A statement that FMC received from the company in August said that Subaru of America can no longer recommend dinghy towing, and all Subaru cars should be towed on a flatbed."Since this does not specify model years, it sounds like they have rescinded towing approval for all Subarus. Obviously, people have towed manual transmission Subarus for many miles with no damage but trying to get warranty coverage for towing related problems will probably be pretty difficult.Monti
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #15 – August 29, 2017, 10:29:43 pm Lawyer-talk to mitigate damage from people screwing up the tow setup.I feel able to disparage the profession since I am one.Dave
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #16 – September 09, 2017, 04:00:11 pm Just back from the Black Hills. 1,200 miles for Soobie as a toad with the key in the ON position. Again, she is a Crosstrek. YMMV for other manny tranny Subaru types like the Forester. Your owners manual may say tow in the ACC position, I just don't know.She seems no worse for wear except the 1,200 miles on the odometer that weren't really miles. The battery did not seem to be affected to any great degree. I stopped every few hours and started her right up. The longest time between stops was about four hours. I did pull the fuse on the radio since that display would be on all the time. Since my Typical style is to go pedal to the metal for hours on end this actually turned out to be a very nice "forced behavior" that made the trip better. It really helps to stop and stretch your legs. 1 Likes
Re: Subaru as a Toad Reply #17 – September 09, 2017, 05:24:57 pm "She seems no worse for wear except the 1,200 miles on the odometer that weren't really miles. The battery did not seem to be affected to any great degree."First let me say that I have NO experience with any brand except Honda, formerly a Civic and currently a 2008 CRV. When towing my instructions are to leave the ignition in the II position, which I presume to be equivalent of "Acc". My odometer does NOT accumulate 'miles' when being towed.Early on (with the Civic) I did experience loss of toad battery charge, to the point where it was sometimes necessary to turn the LDs tail around and use the RV starting battery to jump start the toad. The solution to that problem came with the installation of a dedicated charge line from the RV to the toad battery. Haven't had a problem since. And that's what I know about that!
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