More towbars

lennai

Forum Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2009
Messages
3
I want to put a towbar on a 2005 Forester and need some advice.

I will be towing a light trailer and a boat (about 650kg) and would like to have the flexibility to tow a camper trailer or small van in future. My towing capacity is 720kg unbraked and 1400kg braked. I want a hitch reciever type (well worth it the first time I or (more accurately) my wife bangs her shin).

Options I have come up with are

1400/75 40mm mini hitch (Hayman Reese)
1800/180 50mm heavy duty hitch (Hayman Reese)
1600/120 50mm heavy duty hitch (Boronia Towbars / BTA)

Which would people recommend?

Also, the Forester has self levelling rear suspension. What is the impact of this?

Thanks
 
I'm with you on the hitch receiver and shin injuries.

You really need to decide what you want to tow.

If you want to tow the trailer/boat/camper trailer then the 40mm will be fine. If you really want to tow a caravan, all you will be able to handle is a Pop Top under 1400 kg. All of these have a ball weight of 100 kg or more, so you'll need the 50mm.

I have a manual forester that tows a camper trailer with a 40mm. I wouldn't want to carry any more weight than that (approx 700 kg) without trailer brakes (or with them for that matter).

If you have an automatic and you plan to get the 50mm and tow up to 1400 kg then you will also need an oil cooler for your auto. The dollars soon start to add up. You might also consider the stress you will be putting on the AWD system if you go for the higher weight trailer/caravan.

Talk to a few tow bar companies and see what they advise.

IanC
 
Thanks IanC. It seems you wouldn't recommend the stock Forester (mine is manual, non turbo) for towing heavier loads. What is the main reason (power, AWD, suspension or all).

And thanks for the welcome Mr Turbo.
 
lennai said:
Thanks IanC. It seems you wouldn't recommend the stock Forester (mine is manual, non turbo) for towing heavier loads. What is the main reason (power, AWD, suspension or all).

And thanks for the welcome Mr Turbo.
Click to expand...

Yeah, all those things plus the low GVM when compared to similar vehicles.
I'm just one of the conservatives who likes to enjoy my towing experience when going away, instead of it being a struggle. When we go camping, we like to go the mountains or along the beach, so weight is a big factor.

I really like driving my Forester, and it is a very capable vehicle, good power to weight (low GVM) and exceptional brakes. I just don't like weighing it down.

If you are happy to tow bigger weights, then all power to you.
It's more a personal choice is what I'm trying to say.

And a Big welcome to the forum Lennai (sorry for not saying so in my first post).

IanC
 
Weight distribution hitch

For the benefit of those who are searching for towing information, Subaru specifications for the MY06 model list 140kg max towball download for towing with a load distribution hitch, 75 kg without. This does not change the 720kg/1400kg max trailer weight for towing unbraked & braked.



Joe
 
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