2015 Subaru Forester Towing Capacity & Payload Guide

The 2015 Subaru Forester can safely tow up to 1,500 pounds across all engine and trim levels when properly equipped. Whether you are driving the naturally aspirated 2.5i or the turbocharged 2.0XT, the towing capacity remains a modest 1,500 lbs, making it suitable for light utility trailers, small teardrop campers, or hitch-mounted cargo carriers and bike racks.

Always check your specific vehicle's door-jamb sticker for exact weight limits, as adding passengers and cargo directly reduces your available towing capacity.

Quick answer: 2015 Subaru Forester towing specs

• Max Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs
• Max Payload: ~900 lbs (varies by trim and passenger weight)
• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): 4,480 lbs (2.5i) – 4,651 lbs (2.0XT)
• GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): ~5,980 lbs – 6,151 lbs
• Curb Weight: 3,296 lbs (2.5i base) – 3,651 lbs (2.0XT Touring)
• Hitch Class: Class I or Class II (1.25-inch receiver standard from Subaru)
• Max Tongue Weight: 150 lbs (10% of max tow capacity)

Tow ratings by engine & trim

Unlike large trucks, the 2015 Subaru Forester has a uniform maximum tow rating across all its configurations.

Note: The 2.0XT offers significantly more horsepower and torque, which makes pulling a 1,500-pound load up a steep grade much easier, but it does not increase the vehicle's structural or braking limit of 1,500 lbs.

Tow package contents

Subaru does not offer a heavy-duty "Tow Package" for the 2015 Forester like you would find on a half-ton pickup. Instead, Subaru offers an accessory towing kit which includes:

• Hitch Receiver: A 1.25-inch Class I/II receiver hitch bolted directly to the vehicle's unibody frame.
• Wiring Harness: A 4-pin flat connector for basic trailer lights (tail, brake, and turn signals).

The 2015 Forester does not come with an integrated trailer brake controller, heavy-duty transmission cooler, trailer sway control software, or a 7-pin wiring harness from the factory. If your trailer has electric brakes, you will need to wire a 7-pin harness and an aftermarket brake controller yourself. Subaru highly recommends trailer brakes for any trailer weighing over 1,000 lbs.

5th-wheel & gooseneck

Because the 2015 Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV with a unibody frame and an enclosed cabin, it is strictly limited to conventional bumper-pull towing. 5th-wheel and gooseneck towing are completely impossible and unsupported. These hitch types are reserved exclusively for heavy-duty pickup trucks.

Weight distribution & WDH requirements

Weight Distribution Hitches (WDH) are generally not recommended for the 2015 Subaru Forester. Unibody vehicles often lack the structural frame rails necessary to handle the severe torquing forces applied by a WDH. Furthermore, since the Forester’s maximum towing capacity is only 1,500 lbs and the maximum tongue weight is 150 lbs, a standard weight-carrying hitch is perfectly adequate. Always keep your tongue weight between 9% and 11% of your total loaded trailer weight to prevent trailer sway.

Real-world towing tips for this vehicle

• Mind the CVT: Most 2015 Foresters are equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). While efficient, CVTs can generate excess heat under heavy loads. Avoid aggressive acceleration while towing, and consider changing your CVT fluid more frequently if you tow regularly.
• Watch the Payload: A 150 lb tongue weight counts directly against your vehicle's payload capacity. If your payload limit is 900 lbs, hitching up a fully loaded trailer leaves you with just 750 lbs for passengers and cargo inside the Forester.
• Keep it Aerodynamic: The Forester has a relatively small footprint. Towing a tall, boxy utility trailer creates immense aerodynamic drag, which will destroy your fuel economy and strain the 2.5L engine at highway speeds. Try to tow trailers that sit lower than the roofline of the vehicle.
• Manual Transmission Considerations: If you have a base 2.5i with the 6-speed manual, you may need to ride the clutch slightly more to get a heavy trailer moving on a hill. Give yourself plenty of distance to stop.

Common towing-related issues

• Sagging Rear Suspension: Because the Forester has a soft, comfortable suspension tuned for daily driving, a heavy load on the hitch can cause the rear end to sag. This impacts steering feel and misaims your headlights.
• Brake Fade: The factory brakes on the Forester are designed to stop a 3,500 lb vehicle, not a 5,000 lb combined load. Relying solely on the vehicle's brakes on long, steep downhill grades can lead to overheating and brake fade. Downshift to use engine braking when possible.
• Overheating: Pushing the Forester to its 1,500 lb limit on hot summer days over mountain passes can cause engine coolant and transmission fluid temperatures to spike. Keep an eye on your temperature gauge.

Whether you need a hitch installed, transmission fluid flushed, or your brakes upgraded for safer towing, professional help is just a click away. Find a trusted shop on Repairius.