Tow bars /towing

Mike_A · Post by **Mike_A** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 4:51 pm

Hi all,
This is my first post on your forum, glad to meet you all !
I have a 1998 Forester, 2.0 l -non turbo -Auto.

I am looking at towing a boat, all up weight including trailer is 900kg.
Would any of you more experienced Forester owners have any advice on how the car would cope with this sort of weight ?
What towbar would you recommend ?
Do you think I would need a Tranny cooler ?

I am in WA, do you know of any good towbar sellers around Perth ?

Regards,
Mike.

taza · Post by **taza** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:00 pm

Hi Mike, the Forester will tow the boat fine. I do a dencent amout of towing with my 01 Forester (2.0l Manual). Even on the highway at 100km/hr it does alright for a 2.0l
Since its an auto through an aftermarket transmission cooler could be helpful in summer.
A 40x40mm Hayman Rheece tow hitch would be sufficient and is capable of towing (recommended 1400kg). Although I wouldn't tow that kinda weigh far with my Foz, I just don't think the engine is upto it

But anywhere upto a tonne would be fine. I have snatched a 2tonne landcruiser with my towbar though and did it fine.

I can't recommend a place in Perth as I don't live there, sorry.

Hope this was of some help.
Cheers
Taza

FROG · Post by **FROG** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:17 pm

Definitely fit a cooler

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:19 pm

As taza stated, you should get a transmission oil cooler before you start towing.

But as for weights, the Forester is only rated to tow 500kg unbraked, so at 900kg, you will have to have trailer brakes. Also even though your towbar may be rated at 1400kg, that is the maximum rating for the towbar only, not the car.

If you exceed what the car is allowed to tow and have an accident, dont expect your insurance company to pay up, and you can also face criminal charges for damage to property or loss of life.

Mike_A · Post by **Mike_A** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:24 pm

Thanks for the info !,
The trailer has brakes, im not sure what type though.
Can you recommend a brand of aftermarket transmission cooler ? What sort of price am I looking at ?
Hi Taza, The boat might be living up at Gerladton for a while, I might see you around the place

Cheers,
Mike.

taza · Post by **taza** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:44 pm

Mike_A wrote:Thanks for the info !,
The trailer has brakes, im not sure what type though.
Can you recommend a brand of aftermarket transmission cooler ? What sort of price am I looking at ?
Hi Taza, The boat might be living up at Gerladton for a while, I might see you around the place
Cheers,
Mike.

Well just look for a Dark Blue lifted Foz with Green P-Plates like in my signature below. Im always driving about so might see ya. If you want to meets up or go for a beach fish or what ever feel free to send me a PM.

Taza

thunder039 · Post by **thunder039** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:02 pm

being a 1st gen forester i would recommend after market stiffer springs. the 1st foresters are well known for the sagging rear and towing so much weight will either cause the sagging (if it already hasnt happened) or to make the sagging even worse.

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:05 pm

Sagging may also come from the self leveling struts that have collapsed.

thunder039 · Post by **thunder039** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:10 pm

Gannon wrote:Sagging may also come from the self leveling struts that have collapsed.

true but with out strengthening the rear suspension its likely it will cause some major sagging

taza · Post by **taza** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:25 pm

Gannon wrote:Sagging may also come from the self leveling struts that have collapsed.

That happened to mine 4 months ago. I now have KYB Excel Gen 2 struts/shocks and Dobinson raised heavy duty springs. I now have little sag when towing and with gear in the car

Mike_A · Post by **Mike_A** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:41 pm

Hi All,
Thanks for the advice on the towbar and Tranny cooler.
I ended up going on a small "road trip", driving to Lismore NSW, then towing a boat (950kg) back to Perth. The old Forester ran like a dream. I have recently also towed the boat up to Shark Bay and back without any dramas.
Cheers,
Mike.

revmax · Post by **revmax** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:09 pm

You did what !!

Smokey · Post by **Smokey** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:30 pm

Hahah nice trip Mike. That's one way to get used to a trailer and towing lol

Nice looking rig too

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:45 pm

I'm no expert on the Foz but:

Years ago I replaced my Ford escort rear shockers for air filled ones. two air lines went to the rear for pump up. They were popular in the 70's. I towed a small boat on a trailer. When I got home I inspected underneath to find the shocker mounts had recessed into the body about 20mm.

I consulted a rally driver/mechanic friend of mine. He told me that I should have beefed up the mounts on the body. "you modifiy something it leads to more mods and more mods". he said

Since then I've been a fan of leaving the suspension alone because towing time compared to non towing time is likely around 95%-5% ratio. Using level rides is a good idea. it allows for the standard suspension to operate as it should. It places weight onto the front wheels that would normally when towing have less downforce and therefore less real control especially in the event of a fishtail episode. They level the whole rig.And finally they are cheap, easy to install on your drawbar by yourself and are adjustable.

Your sagging springs: if you choose level rides as above I'd be seeking the springs needed to allow the car to be level without towing. less tyre wear inside the tyre for that 95% of driving. That might mean, if your suspension has sagged from new, slightly thicker or longer springs to achieve level driving and no harder. But beefing up the suspension much more just to tow on the odd occasion might pay a price....bone rattling and mods like shocker mounts etc could make for regret.

for what my opinion is worth

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