Community Forums

Socaltoolguy · 06-04-2020, 02:44 PM

I'm having a devil of a time to try to come up with a vehicle to tow behind our 2004 Monaco LaPalma. It's a gas engine on a Workhorse chassis. We want something that will be a good everyday car and also fill the bill for motorhoming. I thought I had it all figured out after our last foray with our 2001 Southwind/Scion Xb combo. It seems that things have changed and the water is very muddy now. I'm trying to stay away from having to convert something to "towable". I really like the looks of the Suburu Forrester but we can't afford a new one. So, I guess what I need to know is what year is/might be towable by just adding the tow plate? HELP!

Donskiman · 06-04-2020, 02:58 PM

You should be able to tow any year Forester as long as it has a manual transmission.

You can check the towing capabilities here:
http://www.remcotowing.com/Towing/Store.php

SilverBob · 06-04-2020, 03:07 PM

Unfortunately, that's no longer the case. My wife's 2017 Forester with manual transmission is NOT towable, according to the Owners Manual and the Dealer's mechanic. Apparently it has to do with the new electronic power steering. When the key isn't in the on position, the servo that moves the steering pinion isn't energized, and could be damaged by being forced to move.

There are a couple of shops that post on one of the Subaru forums that have a harness that you can install to power the servo while the engine isn't running, but doing so would likely void any warranty if you had any steering problems.

Socaltoolguy · 06-04-2020, 03:49 PM

I guess I should have asked about the auto trans aspect. We can't have a manual trans. as my wife has rheumatoid arthritis and can't do the clutch pedal thing. I'm pulling my hair out over trying to find the right vehicle with the right weight and the 4 down towing ability. Our last rig had to be outfitted with a Remco pump and I'm trying to avoid that.

RickNC · 06-04-2020, 04:07 PM

Friends of mine have been towing a 2015 Ford Fiesta Automatic for the last few years. They say they just put in in neutral and unlock the steering. They selected it because it is automatic and only weighs about 2700 lbs.

lllkrob · 06-04-2020, 05:27 PM

Have you looked at the Chevrolet Equinox pre 2017. They are towable as is except for pulling a fuse. Size and weight is comparable to a Forester, and they only come with automatic transmission.

SGhost · 06-19-2020, 10:18 AM

My wife has a 2019 Forester that we plan to put on an aluminum trailer. According to Subaru, flat towing is a big no-no. Also plan to get a trailer big enough to accommodate a pair of recumbent bikes.

Sundancer268 · 06-23-2020, 04:40 PM

If all wheel drive or four wheel drive are important, your choices are slim unless you go to a much older vehicle and the weight consideration also starts limiting the field. Some, but not all Jeeps, Equinox, are available, I could fine NO Subaru Automatic models available in any model year. Fords are also slim as you approached the newer models. In January 2019 when I ordered my Jeep Cherokee, there were only three AWD/4WD models in the lighter weight ranges, The Chevy Equinox (only SOME power train combinations) a Buick model and the Jeep Cherokee, Steeping up a little in weight the Jeep Wrangler was in the range though a couple of hundred pounds heavier than the Cherokee. Ford had nothing in the Edge models until after I had picked up my Jeep and then it was only the top of the line model that was not in my price range.