Recommended Flat Towing Set Up for a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek w/ Manual Transmission

Question:

What is needed to flat tow a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek?Would prefer Blue ox but am open to suggestions.

asked by: Cal

Expert Reply:

To flat tow a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek you will need a base plate kit, wiring harness, supplemental braking system, brake light kit, and a charge line kit to keep your battery from dying on the way to your destination. Without modification you will only be able to flat tow a Crosstrek if it has a manual transmission.

The Blue Ox Base Plate Kit item # BX3622 is confirmed to fit your Crosstrek and is compatible with many tow bars including the etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar item # e47ZR you were looking at. This base plate has easily removable arms that offer a seamless look when you're not flat towing.

For lighting we have the Roadmaster item # RM-15247. 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 reach the RV.

Since you have a brand new vehicle, I recommend the Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System item # SM99251. This is a proportional system that activates the brakes in your Crosstrek with the same amount of pressure that you apply with your motorhome. The SMI Stay-IN-Play will function automatically when your Crosstrek is hooked up, so after you install it once you will never need to remove or activate it. I recommend adding the Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit item # RM-88400 which keeps your Subaru's brake signal from overriding the turn signal sent by your motorhome.

Last but not least you will want the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles item # RM-156-25. This kit will ensure that you do not have a dead battery when you arrive at your destination.

You will most likely also need a high low adapter so that the tow bar will be level when you are flat towing. I have attached a link to a page that has all of the ones we carry and a how to article about selecting the right one.