Expert Answers about Subaru Forester

• Least Visible Trailer Hitch Receiver for 2024 Subaru Forester
• The least visible hitch for your 2024 Subaru Forester is the Curt # C47HR. This is the only hitch with a concealed cross tube so only the receiver will be visible hanging down. This hitch features a bolt-on installation and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
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• Bike Rack Recommendation for a 2014 Subaru Forester With a Hatch Visor/Spoiler
• The Hollywood Racks Over-The-Top Bike Rack # HRF2 will fit your 2014 Subaru Forester with the back visor/spoiler on the hatch. This rack was designed to clear most spoilers on a variety of vehicles. This bike rack can carry two bikes up to 35 lbs per bike. If you are planning on carrying either womens, childrens or alternative frame bikes, I recommend the Hollywood Racks Adapter Bar # HRBA-PRO. By using this adapter, your bikes will be carried level and have ground clearance. I have...
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• Brake Controller and Install Harness Recommendation for 2017 Subaru Forester
• For your 2017 Subaru Forester you will need to start with a 4-way (if you do not have one). For that you would want the # 118467. From there you would need to convert the 4-way to a 7-way so that you can install the brake controller. For that you will want the Brake Controller Install Kit and 7-Way Adapter part # ETBC7. I attached installation instructions and an install video for this product as well. For a brake controller I would recommend the Prodigy P2 Brake Controller part # 90885....
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• Trailer Hitch and Bike Rack Recommendation for a 2020 Subaru Forester
• We do have some trunk mount bike racks that fit your 2020 Subaru Forester if you're wanting to go with a more cost-effective option (I recommend the Yakima FullBack # Y02634), but I will say that a hitch mount option will be much easier to install and the biggest benefit is that it won't be making contact with your new vehicle. The best trailer hitch for you is the EcoHitch # 306-X7391 because it's currently the only 2" receiver that has a hidden crosstube. This not only looks more clean...
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• What Crossbar System Do You Recommend For a Rooftop Tent on My 2021 Subaru Forester?
• For a crossbar system that will be able to accommodate a roof top tent on your 2021 Subaru Forester, I recommend the following parts: - Yakima JetStream Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 50" # Y00425 - TimberLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Raised, Factory Side Rails # Y33TR - (optional for theft-deterrence) Yakima Same-Key Lock Cores # Y07204 With this Yakima crossbar systems, you will be able to accommodate a rooftop tent up to a maximum static weight capacity of 600 pounds. If the...
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• Trailer Hitch and Wiring Recommendation for a 2015 Subaru Forester
• For a trailer hitch for your 2015 Subaru Forester I would recommend the part # 75876 which is a confirmed fit and would work well for carrying a bike rack and towing a small trailer. I attached an install video for you to check out as well. Since you wanted to do some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2...
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• Distance from Hitch Opening to Pin Hole on the Draw Tite Hitch part # 36523
• I went out into the warehouse to get the measurements you requested for the Draw Tite Hitch part # 36523. The distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the opening of the hitch is 2-1/8 inches. The distance from the center of the pin hole to the back of the hitch opening is 3-7/8 inches. This hitch only has 1 hitch pin hole. When installed on your 2015 Subaru Forester it will have a distance of about 7 inches from the pin hole to the furthest point out on the rear bumper.
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• Blue Ox Base Plate Kit and Tow Bar Recommendation for 2013 Subaru Forester
• I recommend starting off by checking the owner's manual for the tow ability and pretow procedures for the 2013 Subaru Forester. The Blue Ox Base Plate Kit, # BX3616, was custom designed to fit the 2013 Subaru Forester. This strong and durable base plate kit has hidden reinforcements, along with the removable bracket arms, to provide a clean, unobtrusive look when your car is not being towed. As for a tow bar, I recommend the Blue Ox Alpha Tow Bar, # BX7380. With the unique swivel feature...
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• Trunk Mounted Bike Rack Recommendations for a 2006 Subaru Forester
• Thule does list the Passage 3, # TH911XT, as a fit for the 2006 Subaru Forester. There are actually several trunk mount bike rack options you could use. I have included a link to them for you.. I have also included a link to the installation instructions for the bike rack. Most every adapter bar for womens, childrens, or alternative frame bikes works in the same manner. As long as your adapter clamps under the seat and on the lower stem on the handle bars, it will work. If you find that...
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• Recommended Snow Chains For 2015 Subaru Forester With 225/60R17 Tires
• I looked up the owners manual for your 2015 Subaru Forester, and it states that class S chains are acceptible and to use them on the front wheels only. The Thule Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains - Thule Standard Snow Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - D Link - CB12 - Size 104 # TH01221104, are class S compatible and require 12 mm of internal clearance. These are great chains that will work well on your vehicle. They are easy to install and are a high-quality manganese nickel alloy steel. The...
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• Bike Rack, Trailer Hitch and Wiring Recommendation for 2018 Subaru Forester
• To answer your first question, yes, the tongue weight capacity of a trailer hitch is what you would need to go by to determine how heavy the combined weight of your bike rack and bikes can be. The reason is not testing, it is simply precautionary and not a statement about the quality of the Curt hitches such as the # C12100 that fits your 2018 Subaru Forester. Like you said, the use of Stabilizing Straps # 18050 is needed to maintain the warranty of this hitch but not of the Draw-Tite...
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• Reason for Difference in Torque Specifications for Curt and Draw-Tite Hitch on 2017 Subaru Forester
• The difference in torque specifications between the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch # 75876 and the Curt Class III # C13144 referenced in your question is simply due to the different grade bolts that each of the hitches use. The Draw-Tite hitch uses GR5 fasteners while the Curt hitch includes GR8 units. Both of these hitches are confirmed to fit your 2017 Subaru Forester and will install roughly the same way, using the same mounting locations under the vehicle. Both hitches also feature...
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• Recommended 4-Bike Hitch Rack for 2016 Subaru Forester with 1-1/4-Inch OEM Hitch
• Both 1-1/4-inch Class II and 2-inch Class III hitches are made for your 2016 Subaru Forester. These differ in weight handling capacity with the 2-inch hitches like Draw-Tite # 75876 offering a 525-lb tongue weight rating versus only 350-lbs for a Class II hitch like Curt # C12100. If you need a 4-bike rack and have an interest in changing out your hitch to # 75876, then the best option is to use Yakima's hanging-style RidgeBack Bike Rack # Y02458. The linked video shows this rack in use...
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• Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier for 2014 Subaru Forester with a 2 inch Hitch Receiver
• The Curt Cargo Carrier # 18145 that you referenced is a great carrier and will work with your 2 inch Curt hitch on your 2014 Subaru Forester. My recommendation would be to use the Pro-Series 20 by 60 cargo carrier # 63153 on your Forester. This carrier is compatible with 2 inch hitches and has a rise in the shank that provides additional 2-1/2 inches of ground clearance, and shifts the carrier and cargo a little further away from the exhaust on your vehicle, when compared to the Curt...
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• Mounting Hardware Recommendation For Fulton Trailer Fender
• The Fulton Single Axle Trailer Fender, part # F008563, does not come with mounting hardware included. You can use the hardware and mounting brackets from your original fenders, or use L-shaped brackets, like part # PF775-BKT-2, to mount the fender to your trailers frame. I have attached a link to our product page of mounting brackets we have for trailer fenders.
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• Trailer Wiring and Brake Controller Recommendation for a 2011 Subaru Forester
• In order to activate the electric brakes on a trailer you will need to have a 7-Way trailer connector and a brake controller. To add a 7-Way, you will first need to install a 4-Way wiring harness, # 118467, that you have referenced. I have included a link to the installation details and a video showing a typical installation. However, the 2010 and above models please note the the special instructions on the product page below the description. Once you have the 4-Way installed, you will...
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• Enclosed Cargo Carrier Recommendation for a 2014 Subaru Forester for Rear Cargo Access
• If you are in need of an enclosed cargo carrier that will still give you rear hatch access you would want the THule Swinging Carrier part # TH665C as it is designed to tilt out and away from the rear of the vehicle with it loaded. For a trailer hitch you then would want the Draw Tite part # 75876 which is a confirmed fit for your 2014 Subaru Forester and does not require a stabilizer strap like the Curt hitches do.
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• Power Wire Routing Recommendations for a 2007 Subaru Forester for an # ETBC7 Kit
• The best way to run wires under a vehicle is to route the wires away from any areas that could pinch or melt the wires. Typically running the wires through the frame rails or attaching them to an existing wiring harness is the best method. Or you could run the wire through the interior of your vehicle. This is my preference since it keeps the wires more protected. You will need to either drill holes in the floor of your vehicle or find existing holes that will be covered with rubber grommets....
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• Recommended Flat Towing Set-up For 2002 Subaru Forester
• For your 2002 Subaru Forester, I recommend starting with the Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms, # 909-9. You may want the RoadMaster Black Receiver Inserts for XL and MXBrackets # RM-200-5, for when you don't have the tow bar installed. For a tow bar, I recommend the Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar - Car Mount - 2" Ball - 6,000 lbs, # RM-501. I also suggest the Roadmaster 64" Single Hook, Straight Safety Cables - 8,000 lbs, # RM-645. For your tow bar lighting, I recommend...
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• 2018 Subaru Forester Hitch and 3 Bike Rack Recommendation
• Lets start with the hitch, I recommend the # e98839 hitch that is confirmed as a fit for your 2018 Subaru Forester. This offers a 2 inch receiver tube that sits just at the edge of your bumper and offers great access for bike racks and other accessories. The kind of bikes that you are carrying would be a determining factor for the bike rack you choose. If you are carrying bikes with standard frames then a hanging style bike rack would work, but if you have specialty bikes, such as a carbon...
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