Towbar for Subaru forester

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Towbar for Subaru forester

Willie123

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#322643 8-Sep-2025 10:54

I’m looking to fit a Towbar to my 24 forester and juggling OEM Vs after market.

$700 to $800 for aftermarket or $1800 from dealership.

Does anyone have advice on options? Dealers like to play up the voiding warranty card.

Handsomedan

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#3412371 8-Sep-2025 11:22

I don't know about Subaru, but I have had an aftermarket towbar fitted to both my RAV4 Hybrid and BYD Atto 3 and not had any push back from the dealer when getting them serviced (despite words to the effect of voiding the warranty if you don't choose the dealer-approved option).

The dealer-approved stuff is just a rort - as you say, it's usually $1000 more for the same service.
Just go to a reputable supplier/fitter and ask if they have certified aftermarket towbars for your make and model.

I used North Shore Towbars (Auckland) on both occasions for my vehicles.

EDIT: And of course a quick Google tells me that the CGA protects us from a warranty being void if an aftermarket towbar is fitted:
https://www.towbarguy.co.nz/frequently-asked-questions#warranty

Warranty Will fitting an aftermarket towbar void my warranty?

Your new car warranty can not be void by having an aftermarket towbar fitted. New Zealand’s Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) provides protection for consumers against faulty products, including cars. The CGA requires car manufacturers to honour warranties and guarantees that they provide to consumers and prohibits manufacturers from imposing conditions on a warranty that go beyond what is allowed by the CGA.

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scuwp

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#3412378 8-Sep-2025 11:32

Don't know where you are based, but have always used Designer Bars in Hamilton for mine. Never had any issue with the dealer, that said never had any relevant warranty claim. As you say the 'OEM' ones are a rort, likely to be the exact same thing from the exact same manufacturer re-branded. Wouldn't hesitate going after-market.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Little

83 posts

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#3412379 8-Sep-2025 11:48

I used North Shore Towbars when we got our '21 Forester. They had some winter special on so was $825 installed with removable tongue

bigreddog

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#3412494 8-Sep-2025 14:13

Just check with the aftermarket towbar dealers how the towbar integrates with your car electronics. On a proper OEM system when you have a towbar connected (lights) then things like the reversing sensors will be disabled, and in some cases the dynamic vehicle settings will change to handle the fact there is a trailer attached. Also if the alarm is set on your car and you unplug trailer lights this can trigger the car alarm etc

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Bung

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#3412504 8-Sep-2025 14:29

All depends on the definition of "proper". Some vehicles with so called factory wiring harnesses still require reversing sensors and emergency braking to be manually switched.

Willie123

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#3414809 14-Sep-2025 13:27

Many thanks for your replies! Will go after market.

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tweake

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#3414872 14-Sep-2025 15:08

just to add, imho, most dealer towbars are aftermarket anyway. most that i have had with oem bars have the bars manufactures name still written on it.