We have a 2018 Forester that currently has no trailer wiring. We need to tow a trailer with trailer brakes and need a controller and 7 pole plug on the car. We are getting estimates to install this from $800 to $1400! Is it a job I (electrician) can do myself and save some dollars? If so, can anyone give guidance with parts and diagrams/videos? Thanks all for any help. Glad to be a member of this group.
2018 - Currently has no trailer wiring - need a 7 pole plug to haul trailer with brakes? - Updated!
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2018 is rated to tow 1500lbs, I think over 1000lbs Subaru requires a braked trailer. But I haven't looked in the manual for a bit.
For what it's worth, I wouldn't be doing it.
Welcome!
etrailer.com is a great source, They list a complete kit for your Forester for $39.94.
www.etrailer.com
Your Forester's hitch wiring can be found in the spare tire well. I'll send a diagram in a little while. It’s in my computer, and I'm currently on my iPad.
etrailer.com is a great source, They list a complete kit for your Forester for $39.94.
2018 Subaru Forester Trailer Wiring | etrailer.com
Call 1-800-940-8924 to get Expert Service ordering a Trailer Wiring for your 2018 Subaru Forester. Complete installation instructions and lifetime technical support on all Trailer Wiring purchases. Great prices on accessories for your Subaru Forester and the fastest shipping available.
www.etrailer.com
Your Forester's hitch wiring can be found in the spare tire well. I'll send a diagram in a little while. It’s in my computer, and I'm currently on my iPad.
We have the 2.5i Limited AWD 4 cyl 2.5L MFI DOHC. Hope that is the information you were asking for.
We are getting a small 5 x 8 enclosed cargo trailer, base weight 900#. We had trailer brakes added as a precaution, because we are going to be traveling in unknown areas and on unknown roads and we just felt safer with the brakes. Loaded, we will be over the 1000# that Subaru requires brakes on, but probably not more than 1500#. The brakes were strictly an option we wanted.
Thanks, we have checked there. There is no trailer wiring. * can add pics if that would help. The hitch was added aftermarket without wiring.Welcome!
etrailer.com is a great source, They list a complete kit for your Forester for $39.94.
2018 Subaru Forester Trailer Wiring | etrailer.com
Call 1-800-940-8924 to get Expert Service ordering a Trailer Wiring for your 2018 Subaru Forester. Complete installation instructions and lifetime technical support on all Trailer Wiring purchases. Great prices on accessories for your Subaru Forester and the fastest shipping available.
Your Forester's hitch wiring can be found in the spare tire well. I'll send a diagram in a little while. It’s in my computer, and I'm currently on my iPad.
@B&KWoodell If you look as suggested by others on etrailer.com you'll find pretty much everything you need. ALL Subaru's near the rear hatch there is a unused wiring harness for you to plug in the 4-pin trailer connector. You can purchase the 4-pin trailer connector from e-trailer.
From their you'll need a 4-pin to 7pin adapter to match the trailer. But that depends on the trailer if it needs 7-pin to actuate the brakes. I recommend getting a wireless/cordless brakeactuator controller so you DO NOT have to run extra wiring from the front to the back to actuate the trailer brake. The 7-pin trailer connector includes 12V and extra stuff which may not be necessary for the trailer.
Good luck.
From their you'll need a 4-pin to 7pin adapter to match the trailer. But that depends on the trailer if it needs 7-pin to actuate the brakes. I recommend getting a wireless/cordless brake
Good luck.
@bman400 Thank you for this information. We have watched a video showing a white "plug and go" that the 4 pin flat wiring plugs into, but that plug in is not on our car. So would we have to wire in the 4 flat first (splicing the wiring) and then go to 7 pin, or can we wire 7 pin directly? That is where our confusion is coming in. We sure do appreciate your help!
@B&KWoodell Here you go: 2018 Subaru Forester Trailer Wiring | etrailer.com
No splicing needed. It's there, sometimes in the rear underneath the Spare Tire/Cargo cover. Sometimes near the rear left or right brake lights/turn signal light. BRB, as I am going to dig for a PDF file of your owners manual.
Actually if you look at the above link for the Curt-T Connector, you'll see pictures of where the vehicle connector is located.
No splicing needed. It's there, sometimes in the rear underneath the Spare Tire/Cargo cover. Sometimes near the rear left or right brake lights/turn signal light. BRB, as I am going to dig for a PDF file of your owners manual.
Actually if you look at the above link for the Curt-T Connector, you'll see pictures of where the vehicle connector is located.
These are pictures of the left and right fender well and all wiring that is there. So what am I missing? I felt around up in the fender well, but no other wires hiding up there. Your help is so appreciated! Thank you.
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@B&KWoodell In the center of the rear cargo area, what happens when you lift up the center piece where the spare tire is normally located?
I have all of the styrofoam pieces out, all that is left in the compartment is the spare tire.
Take a picture, there might me a white plug tucked away somewhere. I wonder if it's hidden under the spare tire?
I took out the spare tire, only a bit of straw under there. Pictures to follow, but I absolutely cannot find that white plug anywhere.
Holy sh*t, after taking the whole dang thing apart, there it is. Wow, what an ordeal!! Thank you so much for the help. We will look into the parts you recommended and will also touch base with eTrailers.com by phone. You guys are great.
That's strange you can't find it. I was also going to say maybe if this vehicle was purchased used then maybe they cut the adapter and just wrapped it with electrical tape. E-trailer video on youtube for the 2018 wiring harness installation clearly shows its just there on the left side behind the panels. Good luck!
The plug is tucked so far up that you absolutely could not even have seen it without taking that whole quarter section off. Right under the window...........why? Dumb to me, but what do I know?!?
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G'day & Welcome @B&KWoodell I can highly recommend the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite brake controller.
www.redarcelectronics.com
Tow-Pro Elite Electric Brake Controller
The award-winning Tow-Pro Elite is suitable for both 12 volt and 24 volt vehicles and is the only brake controller on the market that offers two types of braking options in one dash mounted unit.
www.redarcelectronics.com
Thanks, we'll get over there and watch that video to help us move forward.
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