I have a little travel trailer that does not come with brakes, but that has a brake-ready axle (the trailer and tongue together weigh about 1300 pounds), and I bought a Forester Wilderness based on the advertised towing capacity of 3000 pounds. Since the FW only has a towing capacity of 1000 pounds unless the trailer has brakes, I have been trying to get the brakes, 7-pin harness (since the OEB hitch only has 4-pin), and brake controller installed. I have contacted my dealer about this, as well as many independent places that supposedly can do this. For some reason, people have been unwilling to do this installation. The most common reason is that they "won't touch the car because installing the 7-pin connector and brake controller could mess up the car's computer system." I am not competent to do this myself.
(1) Is it true that someone could mess up the car's computer system by messing with the car's electrical connections for a harness and controller?
(2) Surely someone competent would not compromise the car's computer system, but how can I find someone who is competent and who is willing to do the work?
(3) Is it true that adding non-OEM parts will void my warranty?
(4) I have called SOA and they have "opened a case" regarding the fact that
(a) they do not have an OEM Subaru brake controller nor a 7-pin Forester harness
(b) yet the car requires a trailer to have brakes in order to have the 3000 pound towing capacity
(c) yet non-OEM installations could void the warranty (I also have the 0/10/100 Gold Plus warranty).
SOA could not be helpful during my phone call; they could just "sympathize" with my frustration. The "case" is being referred to a "specialist."
(5) I asked my local dealer if they could install the Ascent 7-pin harness (obviously an OEM part) and they said no, only the 4-pin (when they installed my hitch). They said the trailers a FW could tow were "too small to need brakes," and YET the owner's manual says the trailer MUST have brakes if it is over 1000 pounds.
(6) I had a perfectly good Impreza Limited that I only traded in so that I could tow this trailer. The trailer is new and I have not even had a chance to use it. I have already tinted the windows and done nearly full body PPF on the Forester Wilderness and have added the trailer to my auto insurance. Everything is a "g except that I can't tow the trailer without brakes and I can't seem to get brakes, and if I do get brakes (with controller and 7-pin) I could void my warranty.
(7) I do not want to have repairs down the road that Subaru refuses to cover under my (very expensive) extended warranty because I have an aftermarket brake controller and harness.
I feel like this can't be as much of a problem as it is appearing to be at the moment. . .but when even SOA doesn't have a ready answer to my questions, it gives me pause.
Would appreciate your input on this. I'm ready to cut my losses and get a different car, yet I really do like my FW (so far) and would like to get this taken care of so that I can hit the road and see some National Parks this summer.
(I am currently in the 03842 area (SE NH) if you know of any competent brake, harness, and controller installers!)
(1) Is it true that someone could mess up the car's computer system by messing with the car's electrical connections for a harness and controller?
(2) Surely someone competent would not compromise the car's computer system, but how can I find someone who is competent and who is willing to do the work?
(3) Is it true that adding non-OEM parts will void my warranty?
(4) I have called SOA and they have "opened a case" regarding the fact that
(a) they do not have an OEM Subaru brake controller nor a 7-pin Forester harness
(b) yet the car requires a trailer to have brakes in order to have the 3000 pound towing capacity
(c) yet non-OEM installations could void the warranty (I also have the 0/10/100 Gold Plus warranty).
SOA could not be helpful during my phone call; they could just "sympathize" with my frustration. The "case" is being referred to a "specialist."
(5) I asked my local dealer if they could install the Ascent 7-pin harness (obviously an OEM part) and they said no, only the 4-pin (when they installed my hitch). They said the trailers a FW could tow were "too small to need brakes," and YET the owner's manual says the trailer MUST have brakes if it is over 1000 pounds.
(6) I had a perfectly good Impreza Limited that I only traded in so that I could tow this trailer. The trailer is new and I have not even had a chance to use it. I have already tinted the windows and done nearly full body PPF on the Forester Wilderness and have added the trailer to my auto insurance. Everything is a "g except that I can't tow the trailer without brakes and I can't seem to get brakes, and if I do get brakes (with controller and 7-pin) I could void my warranty.
(7) I do not want to have repairs down the road that Subaru refuses to cover under my (very expensive) extended warranty because I have an aftermarket brake controller and harness.
I feel like this can't be as much of a problem as it is appearing to be at the moment. . .but when even SOA doesn't have a ready answer to my questions, it gives me pause.
Would appreciate your input on this. I'm ready to cut my losses and get a different car, yet I really do like my FW (so far) and would like to get this taken care of so that I can hit the road and see some National Parks this summer.
(I am currently in the 03842 area (SE NH) if you know of any competent brake, harness, and controller installers!)
