Tow Bar?

ForesterGump

ForesterGump

Forum Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2008
Messages
162
Location
Perth, Western Australia
Gday guys,

I am looking at having a tow bar put on my MY06 Forester (Auto). I have been shopping around getting quotes, and then at the 4th shop i went into they have told me that I will need to have the job done by a Subaru Dealer. The reason for this being that an automatic trasmission oil cooler (i think thats what he said!) will also need to be added. This makes total sense to me, I am just surprised that the previous 3 shops i talked to (all highly respected 4wd outlets) had never mentioned it.

1. Can somebody please confirm with me if this is definatly the case?

2. What should I expect to pay to have this done?

The whole reason for getting the tow bar is to be able to carry our bikes. We already have a Thule bike carrier that fits over the tow ball, just need the tow ball!!!

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys,
 
I'd only be considering a transmission oil cooler If I was going to tow very heavy things for long distances. You won't need one for a bike rack or even a box trailer for trips to the tip.
 
^ agree. I have one - but only because of offroading. For '09 models Subaru actually state that the oil cooler is not needed with a tow bar (don't know why)
 
Towbars come in 2 sizes - 40x40mm and 50x50mm. You won't need the 50x50 if you are only carrying bikes

I picked up a used Subaru 40x40 for $150 from the Quokka and bought a $20 wiring harness at Supercrap. DIY install by myself without the car jacked up.
MUCH easier if you have help and a hoist :lol:

Search for "Forester trailer hitch install" on youtube and these forums on the wiring.
 
I got a 'standard' Hayman Reese towbar for A$259, fitting was A$30 extra. Standard means not load distributing, no 40mm or 50mm hitch receiver just a regular towbar tongue, it's rated to 75kg ball weight. But I do not tow anything .... it's my rear recovery point. Viewers of the original forum might remember pics of it being used to extract me from fast thawing snow/ice pack in the Victorian High Country 2 years ago. Do not spend the extra money on a load distributing hitch receiver bar if you do not need one.... and that means if you are only going to tow a garden trailer or carry bicycles then a standard one is all you need - and it's a solid recovery point too!

onebob

"old enough to know better - still young enough to do it again"
 
onebob said:
I got a 'standard' Hayman Reese towbar for A$259, fitting was A$30 extra. Standard means not load distributing, no 40mm or 50mm hitch receiver just a regular towbar tongue, it's rated to 75kg ball weight. But I do not tow anything .... it's my rear recovery point. Viewers of the original forum might remember pics of it being used to extract me from fast thawing snow/ice pack in the Victorian High Country 2 years ago. Do not spend the extra money on a load distributing hitch receiver bar if you do not need one.... and that means if you are only going to tow a garden trailer or carry bicycles then a standard one is all you need - and it's a solid recovery point too!

onebob
Click to expand...

I agree, if you are not going to tow anything and it's only $30 for fitting, get the cheaper one fitted without wiring. (I fit towbars as part of my job).
Maybe you didn't tell the fourth company what you wanted to use the towbar for. You would only need an oil cooler if you were towing a heavy trailer.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
sorry to hijack
but is the 40mm hitch receiver safe to use as a recovery point?
 
lefty said:
sorry to hijack
but is the 40mm hitch receiver safe to use as a recovery point?
Click to expand...

Yes it is.
But make sure you put the snatch strap in the hitch where the tongue would usually go. And Never ever use the tow ball as a recovery point.

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
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