Dinghy towing crosstrek behind motorhome

70

Asked by GFirne May 11, 2019 at 04:33 PM about the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek Base

Question type: General

Is there anyone in the whole wide world that can tell me if a 2017 Subaru
Crosstrek, manual transmission, can or can not be towed??
If no, is there someone that can tell me if it is the fluid coupling between the
front and rear drives or is it the electric steering OR???

13 Answers

70

HI, thanks for the answer. I read the manual which reads exactly, word for word, as the 2015 crosstrek manual. Funny thing is, the 2015 is listed as a towable vehicle?? Any other answers would be appreciated. Not sure why the difference. I haven't looked in the technical shop manuals to see what the difference is but would like to know.

2 people found this helpful.
70

OK, found out myself (the hard way). towed a 2007 impreza wagon manual transmission. Wanted to get a crosstrek so looked at blue ox to see if the base plate was being made for that specific vehicle and it was. I watched etrailer you tube of them installing a blue ox baseplate on a 2017 forester I believe it was. With that information I went to subaru dealer, mentioned to three people that I was looking for a manual trans. crosstrek so I could tow behind motor home. No one indicated that I couldn't so ended up buying the car and the baseplate. I then found out everyone said you have to refer to the manual. That is where the above information comes in. There is no difference between the manual in the 2007 that is listed as towable by Motor home magazine and the 2017 crosstrek. Word for work, picture for picture. For the unaware, like I was. NO SUBARU IS TOWABLE.. The manual, even in 2007 mentions towing flat to take up the slack, showing a tow strap between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. Nothing said about towing flat behind a motor home, period. ALSO be aware that a lot of the towable vehicles are limited to 60 mph at which point loaded log truck will be passing you.

4 people found this helpful.

If you read carefully they probably say it can be towed for a short distance at low speeds.

70

Hardly a reason to manufacture base plates for them. Also shows tow strap. Short distances only, take up slack. That doesn’t constantly dinghy tow.

1 people found this helpful.
150

yes I have one and have towed 15k miles so far over 3 summers

15 people found this helpful.
80

Yes I have the blue ox and have towed 25k. U will need the battery charge system to keep it charged from the rv while towing since the ignition needs to be in the acc. Position to unlock the steering lock.

8 people found this helpful.
90

Here I am in 2020 looking for the same information. The Crosstrek appears to be the perfect companion to our class A motorhome. Awd, good cargo capacity, 3100 lbs, and manual transmission. We own a 2016 Crosstrek with the CVT which isn't flat towable. I called my dealer and got ghosted. I called Subaru USA and the representative had to check. I then got the answer three times that the Crosstrek will tow 1500 lbs from 3 different customer service reps. Finally they transferred the question to somebody higher up (I guess) who said it is flat towable. When I pressed him for more specific information, he didn't know. I called blue ox. There is no baseplate for a new 2021 yet and they couldn't say whether or not there will be one. I spec'd out my ideal new 2021 Crosstrek and am ready to buy, but I can't get an engineered verified answer from anybody. I don't want to void the warranty of the car if it isn't. Good to hear from people that have done it. Any updates to your experience with the Crosstrek?

9 people found this helpful.
40

Have you found more info yet? I confirmed today that there's a Blue Ox plate for 2021 Crosstrek. Inquired at Accessories Unlimited in Albuquerque, NM, but also found a spec sheet on the Blue Ox site.

4 people found this helpful.
95

We are towing a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Manual transmission behind our Tiffin Motorhome. Just had everything installed recently and will follow up with an update as we add miles. Have to pull the brake light fuse, put the trans in Neutral, take off the parking break. Manual says to turn ignition to ON. I saw above that someone is towing with the ignition in ACC. It seems to work in ACC as well, e.g. lights work and front wheels turn. Anyone else confirm that ACC is as good as ON. seems like less things are on in ACC mode.

9 people found this helpful.
30

How did it go towing your 2021 Crosstrek?

3 people found this helpful.

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