Tow bar info

[chanham]

contemplating removing my Subaru tow bar & had a few questions regarding it:

*is it relativity easy?
*will i need to 'cut' any wires, or it is as simple as disconnecting a wire loom from the stock set up?
*ill end up with a hole at the back, is there any pre-made "fillers" for that little spot? or will i need a bumper?
*does anyone wanna buy it off me if i decide to do it?

(its a sedan tow bar, official Subaru which has had the tip spray painted, with all parts)

cheers!

[RX25SE]

I just fitted one to my wagon.

Pretty easy to remove as it just un bolts, but you will need to remove the rear bar cover. Depending on the towbar, you may need to source the two brackets that hold the reo bar to the body as these are replaced by the towbar itself.
The genuine wiring harness just plugs into the vehicles wiring loom.
Filling the hole will be the biggest issue as it cut out of the bar cover. This would require a replacement cover or a section plastic welded in and painted.

Personally, I would just leave it.

[bosc0]

I just fitted one to my wagon.

Did you fit a genuine system? I want/need/erect a towbar, but hate the look of the genuine ones that route through the bumper.
Any info would be super swell!

[BUDDAH]

Had a Nissan Murano run up the bum of the Forester last week $3000 damage to the Nissan Murano and a little paint missing from the tow bar on the Forester

The Murano hit dead on the tow point behind the bumper and twisted the chassis and rooted the plastic bumper the bolts on the tow bar moved 10mm so I need to
have it checked out .This is the 3rd time a tow bar has saved me

[HoFF]

Had a Nissan Murano run up the bum of the Forester last week $3000 damage to the Nissan Murano and a little paint missing from the tow bar on the Forester

The Murano hit dead on the tow point behind the bumper and twisted the chassis and rooted the plastic bumper the bolts on the tow bar moved 10mm so I need to
have it checked out .This is the 3rd time a tow bar has saved me

+1

I got rear ended with the car behind me doing about 50ks I had a few bits of panel damage but nothing structural what so ever. The lancer that hit me was rooted.
I didn't even have the tow hitch in.

But to answer the question they are very straight forward to pull off. But as stated you will need the reo for the bumper and a new bumper to fix the hole.

[bosc0]

Had a Nissan Murano run up the bum

Guess you just love it up the bum hey?



Couldn't resist.

[RX25SE]

I just fitted one to my wagon.

Did you fit a genuine system? I want/need/erect a towbar, but hate the look of the genuine ones that route through the bumper.
Any info would be super swell!

Mine is a Hayman Reese hitch type that goes through the bumper. AFAIK they are the same for sedan and wagon throughout then Gen IV range.

I assume you are wanting a tongue type. Not sure I have seen one for GenIV.

[bosc0]

Mine is a Hayman Reese hitch type that goes through the bumper. AFAIK they are the same for sedan and wagon throughout then Gen IV range.

I assume you are wanting a tongue type. Not sure I have seen one for GenIV.

Handy info. Did you purchase new? Is there a patch harness to connect to in the rear of the car or does a new harness need to be routed?

I seem to remember someone on the forum having a tongue style towbar, but i'm having trouble finding the info.

[RX25SE]

I bought it secondhand from 'bobbyjimmy' (thanks Luke!) and fitted it.

The assembly is one piece and slides inside the chassis rails and the reo bar mounts to it.
A harness kit is available and plugs into the loom behind the subwoofer (wagon) and comes with either rectangle or round trailer plug.
I made my own harness using flat 7 core cable and wired it to this plug. The harness just sit in the spare wheel well and I hang it out the tailgate when towing.

[chanham]

This is the 3rd time a tow bar has saved me

so might be a good idea to leave on eh?

[wogboy_9000]

I removed mine. Very easy.
There's a walkthrough somewhere on here that tells you how to install it - follow that and you'll be fine.

I removed the tow bar piece that sticks out of the bumper, but as I didn't have the original bumper brackets, part of the bar is still connected to the car (does not impact on anything at all). I covered the hole with an ultrex rear diffuser

[J0HNATH0N]

This is the 3rd time a tow bar has saved me

so might be a good idea to leave on eh?

Ill be leaving mine on for that reason...... but if you do take it off it gives you an excuse to get an Ultrex diffuser....

[chanham]

This is the 3rd time a tow bar has saved me

so might be a good idea to leave on eh?

Ill be leaving mine on for that reason...... but if you do take it off it gives you an excuse to get an Ultrex diffuser....

diffusers do look pretty insane...mmmmm!