Subaru Forester Manuals 2018 Forester Owner's Manual | Page 499

Driving tips/Trailer hitch (dealer option) traffic safety hazard. . Although towing regulations for trailer or caravan vehicles vary by state/region, all regulations agree that specifications such as the maximum gross trailer weight must not exceed the les- ser of the following: – Maximum gross trailer weight – Maximum gross tongue weight – GVWR – GAWR . Failure to comply with the proce- dures set forth will not only compromise your safety, but will also negate your insurance cov- erage and/or may violate the state road and traffic acts and regulations. . Use only the ball mount supplied with this hitch. Use the hitch only as a weight carrying hitch. Do not use with any type of weight distributing hitch. . The standard bumper beam must be installed after you remove the trailer hitch. Consult a SUBARU dealer for purchase of a standard bumper beam if you do not have the original. . Safety performance is decreased and there is increased risk of injury to passengers in the case of an accident if the trailer hitch or a standard bumper beam is not installed. One of them must always be installed on the vehi- cle. . If a trailer hitch is installed, it is not possible to install the rear towing hook. 8-17 & Connecting a trailer The maximum gross trailer weight and maximum gross tongue weight are indi- cated in the following table. Maximum gross trai- ler weight 1,500 lbs (680 kg) Maximum gross ton- gue weight 200 lbs (90 kg) When towing a trailer, refer to “Trailer towing” F8-19. 1) 2) 3) A) Ball mount Hitch pin Safety pin Hitch receiver tube 1. Insert the ball mount into the hitch – CONTINUED –