Can 2019 Subaru Crosstrek with Manual Transmission be Flat Towed behind Motorhome

Question

Question:

Is this vehicle ok to flat tow? Flat towing a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek with manual transmission

asked by: Fawn K

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Expert Reply:

Yes, your 2019 Subaru Crosstrek with a manual transmission is flat-towable. You'll need a few things to do this. First is a base plate kit. For that you'd want the Roadmaster Direct Connect kit part # RM-52927-5 which is custom fit for your vehicle so it will install easily and work well.

In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle. The most popular compatible tow bar is the Falcon All Terain, # RM-522. This has non-binding arms which makes the setup very easy to connect/disconnect.

For lighting/safety cables, locks, and covers for the tow bar we have the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain kit part # RM-9243-1 which comes with all of that as one part number. The diode kit that comes with this allows you to splice into the taillight wiring so that your RV controls the vehicle taillights and does not require drilling into the taillight housings. This comes with a round 6-way connector that you will install on the front of your towed vehicle and enough coiled wire to go from there to the RV.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR, that applies the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Most likely you will also need a high low adapter so that the tow bar will be level when you are flat towing. I attached a link to a page that has all of the ones we carry.

I have included a couple of helpful links to our articles on flat towing for you. Be sure to consult the vehicle owners manual for more specific information on flat towing your vehicle.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Lynzay

7/2/2020

Will Subaru void the warranty if you flat tow? I read that someplace. TIA

Reply

Chris R.

7/7/2020

The owner's manual for the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek has a section dedicated to how the vehicle can be safely towed with all 4 wheels on the ground, so I'm not sure Subaru would have any valid reason to void its warranty when doing so. Of course this can change from model to model - not all vehicles can be flat towed. You'll want to check your owner's manual or even with a local Subaru dealer if you're not sure.

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Vmb

9/1/2020

@ChrisR I am getting 2021 Crosstrek with MT. Can I use the 2020 Blue OX baseplate? Any reason to think this model year cannot be towed all 4 wheels on ground? No engine or transmission changes to the base model of which I am aware.

Reply

Jon G.

9/4/2020

@VMB From what I can tell it looks like the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek MT can be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground like what you'd find with recreational towing. I recommend verifying this is your copy of the owner's manual or with your dealer. As of this writing it doesn't look like anybody has confirmed a base plate kit fit so I don't have anything that I can point you to.

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See All (6) Replies to Lynzay ∨

Arthur P.

1/25/2020

Can I uses the same components from the 2019 Crosstrek on my 2020 Crosstrek w/ manual 6 speed transmission. But would need a charging line for the car battery .?

Reply

Jason S.

1/27/2020

The manufacturers have not yet confirmed the fits for your 2020 Crosstrek. I don't believe there were changes for the new models so it is likely everything would fit but I can't confirm as it hasn't been tested as of today (1/27/2020). The charging line would be the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles # RM-156-25 on the vehicle side. If you need the motorhome side as well then use # RM-156-75.

Helpful Links

tv-install-roadmaster-battery-charger-line-kit-2018-subaru-forester-rm-156-25.aspx

tv-review-roadmaster-battery-charge-line-kit-rm-156-75.aspx

Reply

Brad C.

7/19/2020

@JasonS Has there been an update to the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek M6 flat towing yet? Thanks in advance.

Reply

Chris R.

7/23/2020

@BradC There has! All of the above components will also work great on the 2020 model Crosstrek.

Reply

Answer 1

When wiring a trailer connector, it is best to wire by function, as wire colors can vary. We have an excellent wiring diagram on our website, I will provide you a link so you can look at it. If you are looking at the inside of the trailer connector…

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Answer 2

The only 2023 Subaru that has a base plate for flat towing at this time is the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. Keep in mind, you can only flat tow the Crosstrek if it has a manual transmission. You will need the following parts to make a "kit":…

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Answer 3

As long as your transmission is placed in neutral you will be able to flat tow your 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. To flat tow your Crosstrek you'll need the following parts: Baseplate: Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit #RM-52927-5. Tow Bar:…

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Answer 4

The owners manual of the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek says that the manual transmission versions of the vehicle can be flat towed with all 4 wheels on the ground. The Roadmaster base plate kit part #RM-52927-5 is a fit for the vehicle and would work great.…

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Answer 5

If your 2017 Subaru Crosstrek has an automatic transmission then no, it cannot be flat-towed with four wheels down. It must instead be towed on a trailer with all four wheels off the ground. However, if your 2017 Subaru Crosstrek has a manual…

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Answer 6

For the battery, you can put a maintenance charge on your trailer battery with the 12 volt accessory circuit of the 7-way. The 1:00 position of your 7-way carries this circuit. You would just need to run a length of 10 gauge wire like part #10-1-1…

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Answer 7

I would be happy to recommend all of the components needed to flat tow your 2021 Subaru Crosstrek with the manual transmission. Starting with the base plate kit I recommend the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms #RM-52927-5…

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Answer 8

I checked the owners manual of your 2021 Subaru Crosstrek and it is flat towable as-is which you can confirm if you check out the owners manual as well. You'd need to start with the Blue Ox base plate kit part #BX3622 which is a confirmed fit for…

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Answer 9

Supplemental braking systems are required by law in most states (with the exception of Missouri). In addition to being required by law, a braking system is just a good idea in general. It prevents all the braking being done by the towing vehicle…

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Answer 10

We do have many parts available for your older Thule Flat Top 724 ski carrier. Here is what we carry as replacements: - Mounting Kit for Thule Flat Top Rooftop Ski and Snowboard Racks #7533998 (will need #THXADAPT7 if your crossbars are over 30mm…

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Answer 11

To mount your Thule Flat Top Ski Carrier 724, you will want to use the Thule Universal Mounting Kit #7533998. These mounting feet are designed to fit most factory and aftermarket crossbars. I spoke with my contact at Thule and she confirmed that…

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Answer 12

It really depends in the dimensions of the bars. For the Thule AirScreen XT Fairing #TH82WV it simply clips around bars and is a universal fit, so there should be no issue there. The Thule Flat Top was replaced by the Thule SnowPack Ski and Snowboard…

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