Expert Answers about Subaru Forester

• Is Encapsulated Power Diode Needed to Install Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty on a 2020 Subaru Forester
• The Redarc Encapsulated Power Diode # RED34FR shouldn't be needed for installing the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty # RED24FR and Pigtail # RED69FR on your 2020 Subaru Forester. The answer page you're referring to didn't have us telling someone to install it, rather that person asked how it installs and our expert gave them insight on how to install it. Aside from that we haven't recommended the Power Diode for any other Subaru vehicles.
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• Need Installation Instructions for Curt Class III 2-Inch Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13144
• The installation instructions for Curt Class III 2-Inch Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13144 are linked for your reference. This hitch is a confirmed fit for your 2014 Subaru Forester; it fits all versions. The instructions include a listing of tools required, among which is a torque wrench to allow precise seating of the mounting hardware at the specified 110-ft-lbs. Installation requires no drilling, but access holes may need to be enlarged. The exhaust must be temporarily lowered for installation...
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• Is it Possible to Wire a Back-Up Camera to a Vehicle Using a Trailer Wiring Harness
• It is possible to use the trailer wiring harness, # 118467, to wire a back-up camera to your 2011 Subaru Forester. However, there could be issue in how the camera will operate and to the vehicle's wiring. You will have to find a 12-volt power source to operate the camera. The only way to get a non-pulsing 12-volt signal will be to wire into the tail light circuit of the harness. Using the turn or stop light circuit would cause the camera to turn on and off rapidly. To operate the camera...
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• Does Curt Warranty for Roof Rack Apply to Used Roof Rack
• According to the limited warranty guidelines from Curt the warranty is only extended to the original product consumer and doesn't extend or apply to anyone else, so if you wanted to have the warranty coverage then you'll need to purchase a new set of the Curt Roof Rack for Raised Side Rails # C18118 for your 2013 Subaru Forester.
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• Do Hitches For 2021 Subaru Forester With Concealed Crosstubes Replace Impact Structure
• Yes, each of the hitches that have concealed crosstubes do install by replacing the impact structure on your 2021 Subaru Forester. That will be true for each of the following hitches, which are all verified fits on your '21 Forester: - Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C47HR - EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver # 306-X7391 - Stealth Hitches Hidden Rack Receiver # SH65MR Please note, this will not hamper the safety of your Forester in any way.
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• Trailer Wiring Harness Location On 2014 Subaru Forester
• I looked at the installation instructions for your 2014 Subaru Forester and found that the wiring harness is located behind the rear panel on the driver side. The location is very similar to the Crosstrek in the attached video. The video explains how to remove the cargo tray and the panel to access the harness. I have also attached a couple of photos that show the location of the harness per the installation instructions.
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• Is Wiring Included with a Trailer Hitch for a 2009 Subaru Forester and is there Drilling Required
• Trailer hitches and accessories such as wiring or items used to tow (ball mounts, balls) are sold separately from each other in most cases. The correct ball mount recommended with the Curt trailer hitch # C12047 is # C45521. For a ball use # 19256 for a 1-7/8 inch or # 19258 for a 2 inch and for a pin and clip use # F-4. And for trailer wiring use # 118467. I have linked a video showing how the wiring installs. There is no fascia or bumper trimming required to install the hitch or wiring....
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• Can Trunk Mount Bike Racks be Installed, Removed, and Reinstalled As Needed on 2011 Subaru Forester
• You assume correctly. You can remove a trunk mount bike rack, such as the Thule Passage # TH910XT, and store it inside the vehicle and then reinstall it later. On a rack like the Passage you will just have to loosen the straps some to remove them from where they are attach to the vehicle. Then you would just place the hooks in the correct places and tighten the straps again to reinstall the rack. However, if your Forester has that top spoiler or trim piece at the top of the hatch then...
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• What are the Torque Specs for the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver # 75876
• Per the instructions which are linked for your convenience, the bolts for the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver # 75876 should be torqued down to 50 lb.-ft. This trailer hitch is a confirmed fit for your 2018 Subaru Forester and I have attached a linked to a sample installation for you to reference. Keep in mind that trailer hitch hardware should only be used once. If you purchased the trailer hitch second-hand then you will want to use part # RHK on our site and select Draw-Tite...
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• Does Heat Shield Get Reattached to 2021 Subaru Forester w/ etrailer or Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver
• You do indeed have the option of reinstalling the heat shield with either the etrailer Trailer Hitch # e83ZR or Curt Trailer Hitch # C13409. You would need to drill holes in the heat shield and then re-install it, but this is totally optional so if you'd like you can do so but it isn't necessary.
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• Will Installation of Trailer Hitch on 2016 Subaru Forester Allow Moisture Into Frame
• I suppose it is possible a small amount of moisture could somehow make its way into the frame during the installation of Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch # 76182 on a 2016 Subaru Forester, but it should not be a concern. If some moisture did make its way upwards into the small holes in the accompanying photo it would be small drops. I imagine you are worried about rust but adding a hitch to your Subaru is not going to be the cause of any corrosion in your car's frame. I have added a link to the...
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• Can the Ventline Vanair Trailer Roof Vent Be Installed On the Side of a Trailer
• The Ventline Vanair Trailer Roof Vent part # VP-543SP is intended for use on the roof yes, but we have seen several others use this on the side of their trailer/van without issue. I do however recommend that you close the vent in any inclement weather. I have attached a photo of said vent being used as a side mount below.
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• Will Removing Heat Shield & Leaving it Off to Install e98839 on 2014 Subaru Forester Cause Problems
• Actually, removing and leaving off the heat shields won't present a problem. Instead of the thin metal of the heat shields, there's now a hitch installed which will provide much better heat shielding than the factory heat shields did. Plus, if they were left in place, the shield would be sandwiched between the hitch and the vehicle frame rail and it wouldn't be possible to torque down the fasteners correctly. This is shown in the linked installation video.
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• Is it Okay to Remove Heat Shield of 2018 Subaru Forester When Installing Trailer Hitch
• For all of the trailer hitches we offer for your 2018 Subaru Forester, including the Curt # C1200, the heat shield does get permanently removed. Our hitch manufacturers have determined that nothing adverse happens without the heat shield and the presence of the shield really doesn't make a difference. At worst the floor boards at the rear of the vehicle might get slightly warmer if the car is idling for an extended period of time, but we've yet to hear anything from any of our customers...
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• Difference in Installation for Class II & III Hitches for a 2014 Subaru Forester?
• Good question! These two hitches are different in design and require different hardware for installation. The Draw-Tite Class II Hitch, # 36523 has spacers that are larger than those used to install the Class III hitch, # 75876. So, the instructions call for the installer to use a 3/8" drill to modify the center hole to allow for the larger spacers to be fished through the frame. Regardless of which hole was used, it would need to be widened to fit the larger spacers. It is easier to access...
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• How to Power an Electric Winch on a Trailer Pulled By a 2017 Subaru Forester
• You do have a few options to get an electric winch, like the Dutton-Lainson StrongArm # TW4015, working, but the 4 Flat will not be able to do so alone. The first will be to add a battery to the trailer. This will usually be my suggestion, but as you do not have brakes on the trailer and it is for a boat trailer, it will not be the best way to go. What I suggest doing is upping your 4 Flat to a 5 Round, both on the trailer and vehicle. The Pollak 5-Pole # PK11502 for the vehicle side,...
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• How to Install a Trailer Wiring Harness on a 2015 Subaru Forester
• Subaru likes to hide the connection point for trailer wiring harnesses! I have included a link to the video to the right for you. The video is on Curt wiring harness # C56040 and it is a fit for your 2015 Subaru Forester
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• Are The Chain Loops On a Hitch Rated As Tow Points?
• No. You are not able to use the safety chain loops on your Curt # 13147 hitch as tow points because the loops that are found on the receiver tube of trailer hitches are not rated for towing. These loops are designed to have safety chains looped to them and connected to the trailer in order to provide a layer of safety in the event that the hitch ball or ball mount fail.
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• Installation of Curt Hitch Receiver Leaving Frame Port/Hole Open on 2020 Subaru Forester
• When installing the Curt Hitch Receiver # C13409 to your 2020 Forester that hole is enlarged so the grommet will not fit back in the hole. This does allow some dirt or debris inside the frame rail, which is standard on most vehicles. It is not a problem as water will not stay in that frame rail. You will want to paint the hole you enlarged to make sure there is that seal on the bare metal as corrosion could start if you skipped that sealing step. You can add a cover to that rail if...
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• Where to Mount a Brake Controller on a 2015 Subaru Forester
• I looked up interior pics of a 2015 Subaru Forester and it looks like there is a storage area underneath the radio/AC controls that would work well for installing your brake controller.
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