Can You Flat Tow A 2023 Subaru Crosstrek With A Manual Transmission

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Question:

Hello, I bought a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Manual transmission, and I was told by the dealership I can flat tow it, because it’s manual. But people are telling me no because of the AWD system. But when the vehicle is neutral, isn’t everything disengaged. Can I flat tow my Crosstrek across country behind my class c motorhome?

asked by: Douglas V

0

Expert Reply:

As long as your transmission is placed in neutral you will be able to flat tow your 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. To flat tow your Crosstrek you'll need the following parts:

Baseplate: Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit # RM-52927-5.

Tow Bar: etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar # e74ZR. This tow bar is designed to work with the baseplate I recommended above and comes with an adjustable head and shank to help keep the tow bar level between your motorhome and vehicle. It also includes safety cables so that you don't have to purchase them separately.

Tow Bar Wiring Kit: Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267. This diode kit will transfer your motorhome's brake and turn signals through the tail lights of your vehicle to keep you street legal. This method is super easy and is a one-time installation, unlike magnetic lights.

Braking System: Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System # HM39524. This system comes with a remote to alert you when the brakes are depressed in your vehicle and will also allow you to adjust your brake settings while on the go. It also comes with a charge line kit for your vehicle to keep the battery charged while you tow.

I've attached some videos below to help walk you through the installation process. If you have any other questions then please let me know.

expert reply by: Kevin C

0

Anton K.

3/17/2025

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek 6 sp has a push button start. It apparently needs to be in the ACC position. Will that not drain the battery or automatically shut off after a certain time potentially locking the steering.?Owner manual isn’t all that helpful

Jameson C.

3/17/2025

@AntonK It will eventually drain the battery. Is there a section that states you need to disconnect the battery after putting it in ACC?

Anton K.

3/17/2025

@JamesonC no mention of that in the owner’s manual

Jameson C.

3/18/2025

@AntonK That is interesting because the info we have from Roadmaster shows that the battery would need to get disconnected. I did pull up the owners manual as well and I saw that it shows the key needs to be in the ON position. But what's interesting is that there isn't a recreational towing section and instead it looks more like an emergency tow procedure. In this situation I would recommend checking with a Subaru dealer to see what they recommend on flat towing procedures as the battery would definitely drain over time. Typically we recommend the Roadmaster charge line kit part # RM-156-25 for situations like this.

Answer 1

The 6-way side of the cable included in the Hopkins Tow Bar Extension Cord #HM47057 is wired with 12V power on the center pin. This plug can be re-configured if desired by disassembling it and re-pinning it. I confirmed this with my contact at…

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Answer 2

Aside from a slight change in the appearance of the crossbar (the WingBar Evo has some boxed edges as opposed to the completely smooth front of the AeroBlade) the biggest differences are the rubber strip on top of the crossbar and the weight…

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Answer 3

I looked up to see what base plates you have on your 2017 Mini Cooper. You have the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit, #RM-521884-5. To use your Demco Commander II Non-Binding Tow Bar, #DM9511012-BX all you need to do is swap out the removable…

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Answer 4

The Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part #RM-52927-5 is what I recommend for a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek as the option with least amount of modifications required. The only drilling/cutting into the frame that is required is enlarging an…

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Answer 5

Thanks for the pictures and all the information! Since you have the Falcon 2 Tow bar you can use the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit item #RM-52927-5 you were looking at and get rid of the crossbar. This kit is confirmed to fit your 2022…

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Answer 6

While I cannot find anyone who makes a base plate specific to your 2018 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works edition we do have the Curt Adjustable Tow Bar #C19745. This comes with universal mounts which you can use to have custom mounts fabricated for the…

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Answer 7

The owners manual of the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek says that the manual transmission versions of the vehicle can be flat towed with all 4 wheels on the ground. The Roadmaster base plate kit part #RM-52927-5 is a fit for the vehicle and would work great.…

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Answer 8

While the vehicle is off you'll need to pop up the little cap by your shifter, which you can do with a flat head screw driver. You'll need stick the screwdriver down into the opening and will be then able to press on the brake pedal and move…

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Answer 9

The only 2023 Subaru that has a base plate for flat towing at this time is the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. Keep in mind, you can only flat tow the Crosstrek if it has a manual transmission. You will need the following parts to make a "kit":…

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Answer 10

According to the owner's manual I looked up online, your 2020 Subaru Crosstrek with manual transmission can indeed be flat towed. In regards to the parts, they aren't additions, they are necessary in order to safely tow, and for things like a…

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Answer 11

First thing you'd need to flat tow your 2019 Subaru Crosstrek manual transmission with is a base plate kit that's a confirmed fit. For that you'd want the Roadmaster EZ5 kit part #RM-52927-5 will fit and work well. It has removable arms…

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Answer 12

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek can be flat-towed with all four wheels down. That said, models with a CVT transmission are limited to a traveling speed less than 20 mph and distance less than 31 miles according to the manual. Therefore, you can really only…

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Can You Flat Tow A 2023 Subaru Crosstrek With A Manual Transmission

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