Towing a 2020 Subaru Forester Behind a 2015 Chevy 3500 With a Truck Camper  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Thanks for reaching out Donna. You can absolutely tow behind your 2015 Chevy Silverado 3500 while carrying an in-bed truck camper. The safest way to get the additional clearance you need is with a TorkLift SuperTruss Hitch Extension like the # TLE1528. The SuperTruss extensions require a TorkLift SuperHitch, such as # TLC1211. Unlike a standard hitch extension, the SuperTruss slides into the SuperHitch's dual receiver tubes, providing much greater support and stability for towing behind a truck camper.

To make sure I recommend the correct SuperHitch and extension, I'll need a couple of measurements from you. First, let me know the bed length of your Silverado so I can verify the correct SuperHitch. You'll also need to determine how much extension your camper requires. With the camper loaded in the truck, measure from the face of the truck's rear bumper to the rearmost edge of the camper. That measurement will help determine the appropriate SuperTruss length.

You'll likely need to extend your trailer wiring as well. For example, if you use the 28-inch SuperTruss # TLE1528, the TorkLift 7-Way Wiring Harness Extension # TLW6028 would extend your trailer connection to the end of the SuperTruss. The correct wiring extension will depend on the length of the SuperTruss you ultimately need.

Lastly, your 3500HD DRW has plenty of capability in principle, but the in bed camper, trailer/vehicle load and tongue weight, passengers and other cargo all count toward the truck's GVWR. I would keep this in mind to make sure you are traveling as safely as possible.

What sort of trips are you planning on taking with this setup?

expert reply by: Christopher H

0

Gus J.

8/28/2026

Hello, Donna. I tow a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek behind my 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD dually with an eight foot bed. I have a Northern-Lite 10.2LE in the bed of my truck. I have modified my truck with the TorkLift TL74FR Superhitch Magnum, which has a 2 1/2” receiver above a 2” receiver, and is rated for 20,000 lbs. tow weight, or 30,000 lbs. with weight distribution. To accommodate the length of the truck camper extending behind the rear of the truck, I use a TorkLift 28” LTE1528 Hitch Extension. This has all worked very well with a RoadMaster Nighthawk towbar connected to a RoadMaster baseplate. My concern is the use of a 2020 Subaru Forester as a towed vehicle. Since most Subarus use a continuously variable transmission. and are all wheel drive, they are not compatible with flat towing, with all four of the Subaru wheels on the ground, or with dolly towing, with the two front wheels of the Subaru up on a dolly which would be towed behind your truck. You can only tow an all wheel drive Subaru with a continuously variable transmission with the car on a trailer, with all of the Subaru wheels off the road. I believe that all 2020 Subaru Foresters sold in the United States are both all wheel drive, and have a continuously variable transmission. I do believe that Subaru either does or did sell manual transmission Subarus in other countries, so if yours is one of those, then you should be fine. My 2023 Subaru Crosstrek was the last year model available in the United States with a six speed transmission. I bought mine just for that reason.

Christopher H.

8/28/2026

@GusJ Really appreciate the feedback and all the detail here. Sound like you have your setup dialed in. As you mentioned above, the vast majority of Subaru's are AWD and cannot be flat towed or dollied and would need to be towed on a trailer. You don't see many of manuals around anymore either.