Subaru Forester Manuals 2019 Forester Owner's Manual | Page 406

400 Trailer hitch (dealer option) ! When the vehicle is parked on level ground S08AJ1402 The total weight on the roof rails – including the roof crossbars, roof tent, and all occupants and contents in the roof tent – must not exceed either the vehicle’s roof rail load limit (700 lbs (317 kg)), evenly distributed, or the load limit of the roof crossbars, whichever is lower. Load limit of the roof rail (A). B + C + D < 700 lbs (317 kg) Exceeding this load limit could cause damage to the vehicle or racking system. The vehicle must never be driven with occupants in the roof tent. Before the vehicle is driven, occupants and cargo must be removed from the roof tent and the roof rail load must be restored to within the roof rail load limit of 176 lbs (80 kg). Refer to the user manual that accompa- nied the roof tent for important safety information and instructions on the proper installation and use of the tent. A: B: C: D: Roof rails Roof crossbars Roof tent Occupants in the roof tent 8-11. Trailer hitch (dealer op- tion) S08AK WARNING . Never exceed the maximum weight specified for the trailer hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight could cause an accident resulting in serious personal in- juries. Permissible trailer weight changes depending on the situa- tion. For possible recommenda- tions and limitations, refer to “Trailer towing” FP403. . Trailer brakes are required when the towing load exceeds 1,000 lbs (453 kg). Be sure your trailer has safety chains and that each chain will hold the trailer’s maximum gross weight. Towing trailers without safety chains could cre- ate a traffic safety hazard if the trailer separates from the hitch due to coupling damage or hitch ball damage. . Be sure to check the hitch pin and safety pin for positive locking placement before towing a trailer. If the ball mount comes off the hitch receiver, the trailer could