Can You Tow a Subaru Behind an RV?

If you’re planning a road trip along the I-4 corridor this winter, chances are you’ve seen plenty of RVs towing a smaller car behind them. Travelers passing through Central Florida on their way south for the season ask the same question over and over: can you tow a Subaru behind an RV? The short answer is that most modern Subarus, especially those with automatic or CVT transmissions, aren’t approved for flat towing unless the owner’s manual for that specific model and year explicitly says otherwise. Some older manual-transmission Subarus were historically treated differently, but current guidance across the lineup trends toward flatbed or full-trailer transport. If you’re unsure whether your Subaru qualifies for any towing method, contact our team before you plan your route.

Why AWD Systems Make Towing Complicated

Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive sends power continuously to all four wheels, which is part of what makes these vehicles so capable in Central Florida’s sudden downpours or on long highway stretches. That same constant power distribution becomes a liability when a Subaru is towed with its wheels rolling on the pavement. The Lineartronic CVT depends on fluid circulation designed for powered operation. With the engine off and the wheels still turning, lubrication may not flow correctly through the transmission, and that can lead to overheating or internal wear over time.

Manual transmissions circulate fluid through gear rotation regardless of whether the engine runs, which is why some manual Subarus were once viewed differently than their automatic counterparts. That distinction no longer carries much weight in current manufacturer guidance, which increasingly treats flat towing as a risk regardless of transmission type.

Flat Towing (Dinghy Towing) a Subaru: What to Know

Flat towing, sometimes called dinghy towing, keeps all four wheels on the ground and rolling behind the RV. It’s popular because there’s no dolly or trailer to store, and hook-up is quick. But for current Subarus, it generally isn’t an option. Owner’s manual language for AWD models with automatic or CVT transmissions directs owners to tow with all four wheels off the ground, and where flat towing appears at all, it’s in the emergency towing section rather than as an approved way to travel.

Some manual-transmission Subarus have historically been treated as exceptions, and you’ll still find third-party towing guides listing them as flat-towable. That’s exactly why the manual for your specific model and year is the only thing worth acting on. Guidance has tightened in recent years, and a listing that was accurate for a 2016 car tells you nothing reliable about a 2026 one.

Dolly Towing a Subaru: Is It Any Safer?

Dolly towing lifts one axle off the ground while the other axle’s wheels continue rolling. It might look like a safer compromise, but for AWD Subarus, it isn’t. The drivetrain components connected to the grounded axle keep getting back-driven even though the vehicle isn’t moving under its own power. That ongoing mechanical strain can damage AWD clutches over time, particularly in higher-mileage automatics.

What makes dolly towing especially risky is that damage often isn’t visible right away. Binding and wear inside the AWD system build up gradually, so a trip that felt uneventful doesn’t mean the drivetrain came through it intact. The bill tends to arrive later, as a transmission or differential problem that’s hard to trace back to a towing decision made months earlier. Dolly towing isn’t a genuine middle ground between flat towing and a trailer. It’s the same risk with one axle’s worth of exposure removed.

Flatbed Towing: The Recommended Method for Subaru AWD

Flatbed towing, or full trailer transport, lifts all four wheels off the ground entirely. This takes the drivetrain and transmission out of the towing equation altogether, which is why it lines up with the guidance found in Subaru owner’s manuals. For automatic and CVT Subarus, dealers and trade sources consistently point owners toward a flatbed truck or full trailer, since wheel position off the road is what actually matters, not the transmission type under the hood.

The 2026 Subaru Forester offers a useful illustration of where current guidance stands. Neither flat towing nor dolly towing is approved for that model, and Subaru recommends a full vehicle-transport trailer instead. This example isn’t universal across every Subaru model or year, but it reflects the direction manufacturer guidance has taken in recent years.

Before You Tow: A Safety and Warranty Checklist

Before you hitch anything to your RV, run through a short checklist. It won’t take long, and it could save you from a costly repair bill or a damaged drivetrain hundreds of miles from home.

Confirm Your Owner’s Manual Guidance

Every Subaru model and year has its own towing section in the owner’s manual, and the details vary more than people expect. Some Subaru owner’s manuals include specific emergency flat-towing limits, such as maximum speed and distance restrictions, so it’s worth checking your exact model’s manual for these details rather than assuming a general rule applies.

Call Subaru Service Before You Hit the Road

If your manual is unclear or you’ve misplaced it, a quick call can clear things up. For VIN-specific towing questions, you can also reach out to Subaru directly through their customer support channels. You can also schedule a pre-trip inspection with our certified technician who can confirm what your specific Subaru can and can’t handle.

Verify RV or Trailer Towing Capacity

Your RV or trailer needs enough rated towing capacity to handle the vehicle’s weight safely, and this matters just as much as anything specific to the Subaru itself. Exceeding that limit puts strain on the RV’s own drivetrain and brakes, which is a hazard for everyone on the road, not just the towed vehicle.

Protect Your Drivetrain Warranty

Subaru’s Basic Limited Warranty runs 3 years or 36,000 miles, and the Powertrain Limited Warranty runs 5 years or 60,000 miles. Improper towing doesn’t erase that coverage, but damage you cause by towing a vehicle in a way its manual doesn’t permit isn’t a warranty repair. The distinction matters: the warranty stays in force, and you pay for the drivetrain. If you want that confirmed for your specific vehicle before a trip, our service team can put it in writing from your manual rather than from a general rule.

Have Towing Questions? Contact Sport Subaru South

Towing specs change by model year, so always confirm current eligibility through your owner’s manual or a certified Subaru service advisor before attempting any towing method.

Talk to Our Service Team

If you’re gearing up for a Central Florida road trip and want a second opinion, our service team at Sport Subaru South can help. We’ll verify your Subaru’s towing eligibility, go over your specific owner’s manual guidance with you, and run a pre-trip inspection with certified technicians. Reach our service department at 1-407-738-4173 or 1-407-612-2560, or stop by 9951 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837.

Shopping for a Tow-Friendly Subaru

If you’re shopping for a Subaru built for Central Florida’s roads and road trips alike, explore our new Subaru inventory and let us help you plan your next trip with confidence.