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Wagons Subaru Crew Subaru Forester Towing with a Forester
97 messages, Last post on Apr 21, 2008 at 6:24 AM
You are in the Subaru Forester Forum. Your Host is kcram
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Replying to: xtop (Oct 26, 2007 6:34 pm) The guy at the dealership who ran me through the trail set-up when I bought it told me that the car would not charge the 12 volt. Everything I've read and heard disagrees with that. I'll bring it up with them the next time I go there, along with the fact that they left the paper instructions for the heater INSIDE the heater behind a part you could only get to by removing a sheetmetal screw that was set so close to the top that no screwdriver could reach it! No home theater--I use the extra bed to store things; the real problem is the mega-uncomfortable table seats and the stinking table, which sit out into the "aisle" too far. I'm glad your maiden voyage was a success, Sue |
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Well, the trailer was attached to "shore" power at the time the alarm sounded but it's possible the battery is defective. Anything is possible. As to the car alternator charging the trailer battery, it will charge if I get a 12-volt power source to the correct terminal in the 7-pin connector. I will install everything in the spring before we pick up the trailer from storage. I have the correct isolator part number from the manufacturer and the recommended circuit breaker amperage along with the proper wire gauge number. The charging question should perhaps be addressed to the manufacturer of your trailer. My trailer manual says it will charge and the mechanic who took us through our setup said it would charge on this trailer provided I do as I have stated. I have also ordered a compact solar panel charger that will fit nicely and puts out 6 watts max with a regulating circuit built in. Are the table seats in the form of benches on your trailer? The table could probably be shortened by someone in a good custom carpentry shop. Thank you, we are very happy about it also. Fred |
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But "shore" power doesn't power everything. If the blower on the heater is powered by your trailer's battery, maybe the alarm will sound if you don't have enough 12 volt power? Or maybe it was the battery inside the alarm...but then why didn't you have a problem the next day? Will you solar panel make the outlets run? The table's seats are benches (that make the mattress on top of the table if you want to travel with midgets). Their foam is miserable; I will replace it and make new slip covers. (It would be nice it someone would design a small pop-up for use by one or two--with two comfy big seats instead of bench seats for four.) The real issue is the table: its legs are off-set to accommodate the wheel-well, but not enough, so it doesn't go all the way to the wall and then the other legs (and about six inches of the table) are in the way. I tried to move the legs, but then they wouldn't fold up and I couldn't store it to fold the trailer down. I've got a couple of designed sketched out, but before I do anything I'm going to look at another Yuma to see if all the tables are that way. I swear the first one I looked at didn't have a table in the aisle. |
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Our built in inverter charges our battery if we are hooked to an outside 110-volt power source. Therefore, in fact, the inverter is running the alarm system. That's not to say that there couldn't be some other glych in the system. I will have to take a look inside the LP-gas alarm and see what it has for independent power. I'm not sure it has a battery as when I pulled the fuse, it stopped sounding. The solar panel will constantly charge the battery at only a small trickle rate. It will not power the trailer. It simply helps to keep the battery charged while the unit is parked in the sun. A solar panel that would run the outlets would have to be very large with present technology. There are larger panels available but I wouldn't want to mount them on our tiny rig and they get really expensive, really fast. Sort of like LCD TVs because of the fabrication costs for large panels. We are looking at finding memory foam in bulk and replacing the foam on the upper part of our sleeping surface. Ours are also the bench cushions for the dining table. Our present foam is quite nice but it would be better if it were the memory type, we think. Good luck on your design modifications. Yes, they do design most pop ups for the family with two children at the very least. It's much like being too tall or too short in stature. Everything is built for the median size person or family. Fred |
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Hello all.... Does anyone know if there is any upgrading required to use a Subaru Forester to tow an RV trailer? The owner's manual says 2000 lb max, but the trailer is around 2500 lbs.... Has anyone towed over the max before? Would I need a transmission cooler, upgraded suspension, etc.? Does having all-wheel drive make a difference?
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Replying to: postymcgee (Dec 04, 2007 11:25 am) Current-generation Foresters are rated to tow 2400 pounds (w/trailer brakes). You must have a first-generation Forester if it's rated to tow 2K. Bob
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Replying to: rsholland (Dec 04, 2007 11:34 am) -mike |
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Replying to: postymcgee (Dec 04, 2007 11:25 am) a. You should have trailer brakes since it's over 1000 lbs b. If towing beyond short distances, a transmission cooler would be extremely helpful. c. When towing something almost as heavy as your Forester, be aware that the emergency handling will be severely compromised. -Frank |
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Replying to: p0926 (Dec 10, 2007 11:36 am) Be constantly aware on this point. 
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