Subaru Crosstrek Recovery Basics: Part 1
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- čas přidán 2. 01. 2021
- 1 of a 3 video series that goes over safe and practical recovery points, gear, and procedures for the 1st and 2nd generation Subaru crosstrek.
NOTE it has come to my attention that the Subaru wilderness outback manual specifically states to not use the tie-down points shown in this video as a pulling point. Use at your own risk.
Part two is on the way!
Part 1: Assisted Recovery points and gear.
Part 2: Self recovery techniques and gear
Part 3: Self and assisted winch recovery techniques and rigging
Feel free to follow the adventure on Instagram! @goadvtr
Links to gear in this video:
ARB Snatch Strap- amzn.to/2PNkpfC
Rhino USA Tow Strap & Shackle Kit- amzn.to/33cL3BT
Tree Saver- amzn.to/3b40QXT
Warn Bumper (2nd gens only)
Lower/Main- amzn.to/3h9eUD8
Optional Top Bar- amzn.to/33mnCWx
Curt Hitch adapter- amzn.to/3xXhqCK
Affiliate links:
Front Runner Outfitters: www.frontrunneroutfitters.com...
Baja Designs; Use code "goadvtr10" at checkout
HTTPS://www.bajadesigns.com
Recovery Gear Amazon List
www.amazon.com/shop/goadvtr.t... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Nice work! As a long time tow truck driver, totally agree with all of it
Great video, i am a Subaru newbie and a recovering jeep nut. I got a 2024 outback wilderness and started the credit card drain with gear. I was going to use the front stock screw in BS points for my recovery plan. Thank god i found this vid. You may have saved an Emergency room visit. Rock on
I'm starting to realize the less subscribers and less straight forward videos the better the education. So many youtubers teaching the wrong thing. I'm glad i ran into this video
I've watched so many videos trying to learn proper recovery techniques before I go offroading for the first time. None of them go into detail on where and how to actually attach the shacles to the frame tow points. This is by far the best video out there and I finally feel confident about off road recovery. (Hopefully won't be needed. Thanks!
broooooo all gamechanger tips, i was so close to using the threading recovery points with quality towing straps ive came across on amazon, after this video i will install a trailer hitch for rear and use the bridle method for front, i will save this video for other people to refer to as well, thanks man stay safe
Holy crap!!! This one video taught me SO many things I did NOT know. Thank You so much.
That’s the goal! Plenty more coming! 🙌
Good job mate. You potentialy saved my windscreen and maybe life.
Following you now for part two. Thank you for all the info.
Great information! I've had several Tacomas and a Wrangler. But the Subaru is a little bit of a different machine.
Awesome video. Just what I was looking for with regards to the Crosstrek. Thank you.
Thanks a lot for this video. Especially showing where the recovery points would be on a stock Subaru.
Awesome video! Would love a video on self-recovery. I don't usually go out anywhere too treacherous, but I'm usually alone so I'm interested in snatch blocks and come-along winch methods, especially in areas without trees.
My dealer told me when I purchased, it is not a recovery point! Only for tow truck drivers. Glad he told me cause I totally would have used it as a recovery point. Cheers
Solid advice, no nonsense.
Solid info! Great vid!
I don't know crap about vehicle recvery, but you sound so convincing, I'm sold! Cheers!
Hopefully you know enough to be safe out there now! 🙌
We need a part 2 🙌🏻
It’s coming! I promise 🙌
sweeet bro. i got my hitch installed today. andordered up a wern bumper as well. shldbe a fun install this was real helpful for me. gives me an idamea of what to grab as just incase thanks
Thanks so much, just looking to add to my X trek and you just made reevaluate everything I was thinking of doing. Excellent Vid!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the video bro lots of great info!
You are a fantastic teacher. That's a true talent.
Great video!👍👍
ARB is one of the best in the market as they were developed for the toughest outback in Australia where failure could mean life of death.
Exelente video y gracias por la información,acabo de adquirir un Subaru crosstrek ,con está información estaré listo para la aventura!!!!!
Great video really informative. Had a feeling those tow hooks on the front were unsafe.
Good stuff 👍
Great video thanks mate. Dealer tried to convince me the towing eyes were rated for snatch strap recoveries lol
Good advice!
The background sounds make the video more immersive. Feels like I’m there.
Best way to recover is from the lower control arm, some even have a hole from where hooks can be attached, otherwise use a soft shackle around the lower control arm. Bridle it, or choose one side (depending on situation) so that the rope doesn't get caught by the wheel
It’s an option, can’t say it’s is absolute best way. I’ve done it, and seen it done plenty of times. But seeing that this was a “basics” intended video for those with zero experience simple is better as there is some parts of the LCA that are good to connect to and others that will require an alignment after being used.
This was not a concept that I wanted to introduce to people who may or may not have ever had to recover a car, as that is the main intended audience & those who know other proper ways probably would have just skipped over this video entirely.
Exactly. Forester, outback crosstrek front tow point is lower control arms. Bridle or soft shackls to shoftahsckes tro tree saver. Anyone who uses that front eyehook for anything but a straight tow on dry land is off their rocker. Rear best with receiver
Best information for recovery on crosstrek that i have seen.
Is this the same on Foresters?
Yankum tow rope and Bleepin' Jeep freedom winch line are perfect recovery tools
Thanks for sharing
Have been interested in the Crosstrek for some time now. Still hoping they come out with one already lifted etc. Hopefully next year I'll get mine.
They’re fun cars! I’m hoping they don’t charge an arm and a leg for the factory lifted ones.
Guess my fashion statements (front and rear) are just storage for the shackles to use elsewhere hahaha, thanks for the great video
Well done, great advice, excellent video! Keep them coming please! @SCUBROO
Hey man I appreciate this video! Thanks very much. Had some questions if that is cool. Have read that even the trailer hitch (I have a 2 inch receiver on Outback) isn’t a rated recovery point. You heard anything about this?
Also do you recommend a snatch trap or kinetic rope? Just for quick vehicle recoveries and dislodging. Not any extended towing. Thanks in advance!
If the hitch has a tow rating, that would be more or less your recovery rating. If it has a stated load capacity it can safely be used as a recovery point up to the load rating for sure. If it’s something that won’t be used often a snatch strap may be a better option as they still have the added stretch, but pack much easier than the ropes do.
Thank you
I do not have a hitch installed. Great advice and education. What are the best recovery points for the rear of the car(not the tow eye), in the event I need to be pulled out from the rear of the car? Thank you.
Unfortunately there isn’t one. If you are just being towed, not recovered and it can be done in a straight line the threaded eye is an OK solution. But if you’re stuck in sand/mud etc there isn’t a good way. A hitch is the only way to really get a rated rear pull point. You *could* attach to the rear subframe but I can’t say that is a recommended method either.
If you have anything in the front tow hook it’ll delay airbags?
i was going to buy some shackles and rods for my recovery point on my new crosstrek, im glad i stumbled on your video. was going to drill out my panel covers and leave them on for aesthetics as well as use. did not realize this could impact airbags and was a crappy recovery point. i will be getting some gear for under recovery as demonstrated. thanks! also if i dont have a hitch, any points of the frame i can use besides the stock recovery point for rear?
the airbags are triggered by a g-force detector right in middle of car at center console. what putting a steel push bar out front will do is make it more likely for airbags to deploy, as you are bypassing sacrificial element of bumper. So whereas a 10 mph impact might be needed for airbags to deploy in stock car, they may deploy at 6mph instead due to pushbar immediately transferring gforce to main sections of vehicle.
This is not the case. There is not one central sensor. There is an array of accelerometers on all different corners of the car. One on each side on the main unibody behind the crash bar etc. they are typically a bright yellow or blue.
The multi channel force vectors provided by the sensor arrays are far more accurate than a central one would ever be. This is why when you are hit the corresponding airbags are able to deploy the correct air bags given an impact.
This is also the reason that having an asymmetrical front end (ie leaving the tow eye installed) can cause issues as it can skew the force vectors on the front end. The warn bumper connects to the same factory points the crash bar does and should have minimal if any change to how easily the airbags deploy seeing that the crush zone starts after the crash bar.
In the rear. There isn’t really any suitable areas to recover someone else from. That being said if you needed someone to pull you out there is an argument to made with light straight pulls on the factory eye. Definitely not ideal.
I actually learned so much from you!! Thank you again because I had no clue on how I would ever get out if I were in a situation.
Do you know where I can get a front grille guard winch for a 2023 Subaru Forester wilderness ?
Excellent video. What do you think the rating of the factory eye pin points are? It's odd that they would include them if you shouldn't use them. I assume if used gently, they would be fine. I will likely get the hitch mount you showed. Thank you.
From what I've learned the eye bolts are for pulling on a road where there is little resistance. Not for yanking the car out of the mud.
Why do they supply a recovery point that isn't a recovery point?
Great question! They don’t supply a recovery point. They do however supply a tow point to be used by tow trucks and others in similar situations. Tow trucks typically use winches to pull the car onto a flatbed and that consistent steady application of forces is completely safe. It’s only when you start to apply greater non-linear forces in a recovery that they can become a hazard. This comment has great timing! I have another video coming up that goes over the differences between a tow and a recovery.
Great video! Why did you decided to recommend the 20' Rhino Recovery Strap instead of 30'?
Mainly for storage reasons. Both will work. The 2” 20’ packs much better than a 3” 30’ but both will work without issue!
I just found this video and wanted to thank you for this info! I'm about to be purchasing a new Crosstrek, and plan on hitting some trails. I kept wondering about the threaded tow points being used as a recovery point, due to the additional forces with a non-winch recovery. I will definitely be checking out your other videos next.
Regarding your note in the description about not using the front tie down points for recovery, what would you recommend for a front recovery with a stock bumper setup? Would that still be safer to do a bridle with a tree saver at those points (using the strap that has stretch attached to the bridle) instead of using the stock screw in tow point?
And I hadn't planned on getting a tow hitch as I won't be towing or attaching anything there, but thinking now that I should get one for a potential recovery point in the rear!
That note is for the outback wilderness only. And only because Subaru calls it out directly in their manual. that is still the recommended set-up for a tow on a Crosstrek. Those points are the same with or without an OEM bumper.
@@Goadvtr Thanks!
those threaded points are not only weak, only threads holding on: But also it is a hunk of metal and even if you are using soft shackles on it the threaded piece what is going to go flying is the steel threaded eyehook. Dangerous
Just learned a bunch I didn’t know. Wasn’t concerned about the audio quality as it wasn’t that bad compared to some of the videos on YT…but bruh….ya don’t need to throw everything to the ground…we know you’re an adult 😂 jkjk. Seriously thanks for making this video
Of course! 🤣 hoping to finally get the the other two completed sometime soon!
Really should put a shackle between the bridal and snap strap. It keeps the fibers from being damaged from the friction where the two straps meet.... I run and rig cranes for a living
It’s definitely an option! I’d imagine the friction is minimal once it’s centered with how light these cars are. I have used soft shackles to connect them (as even a 3/4” bow shackle is too small to wrap around the strap easily) without issue.
Depends on if I remember to connect the strap before the other half of the bridal or not.
Did you have to upgrade your suspension to support the weight of bumper and winch weight? I have that exact setup,but not installed yet on my 21’ sport. Warn says it’s not necessary,just wondering what you experienced. Thank you for any input you may have in advance!
My suspension is upgraded from OEM, but I don’t feel like it was required. I have the 1” lifting springs from rallitek. They are stiffer but not by all that much. I did notice a slight difference when I first installed it on the OEM springs, but not anything crazy. You could go either way. The OEM suspension was far too soft for my liking so it was going to get changed with it without the bumper if that helps!
@@Goadvtr
Thanks man I appreciate that!
grat video. Did you install your bumper? I want to install one like that on my 2022 Crosstrek. thanks
I did the install solo, I definitely don’t recommend that one. Two people would make it much easier. The hardest part was cutting the bumper truth be told.
@@Goadvtr oh by looking at the shape of it I didn’t think you had to cut the bumper. I thought that black panel just came out and you had to work from behind that. Is there any instructions or videos on how to install that one?
The lower black half is molded in unfortunately. Warn has a detailed video on how to install this bumper. As does rallitek I believe.
Is the warn bumper shackle mounts rated and safe for recovery? Or do you insist on using the underside?
That is the cool thing about the warn bumper. They give you a rated recovery point on those shackles. 10/10 that’s where I’d attach my tow rope/snatch strap if I had to be recovered with them.
Can you pull a subaru by one of the tow hooks in front? Is it safe or should the wire connected with the two hooks together?
If you’re towing the threaded eye is safe given that you’re pulling straight. In An off road recovery I’d recommend the bridle keeping in mind that neither point is technically rated.
How do you love your bumper?
My Biggest question is are u expecting to get towed or be the towing vehicle ?? If vehicle being towed I’ll just get a flatbed to pull me out because have AAA or something similar (only stuck because of snow ), if being towing vehicle than I see a purpose for spending all this money ?? Any reply would be great
I have only been the towing vehicle thus far. Chevy 2500 and an Audi both in deep sand were the two most recents.
This video is designed more so do those whom look to take their cars trailing and are at an increased risk of needing to be recovered. Not just limited to getting caught up in a snow bank. That being said AAA is only as good as your cell service, so having a plan B is never a bad idea.
What tow hitch do you have on the trek? curt or subaru oem?
I opted for the Curt. The price and ease of install had me sold. The OEM tow hitch install is far more difficult.
But what about the winch? It looks nice. I am on the edge of getting that warn sime-hidden set up. Im new in the crosstrek (2020 Premium)> I did trucks and jeeps all my life. Are the bumper mount points "Rated"? Im only talking about being -Soft Stuck-, but will the hood still open after I use that winch?
Warn claims they are rated recovery points. I have yet to ever need them. I have used the winch numerous times to pull myself out and haven’t had any issues. I think it’s safe to say that they did their homework on this bumper.
@@Goadvtr I was really wonder more about the four frame studs that the warn bumper mounts to. Im wondering how much tention these four Subaru frame studs will hold before the frame moves? I have this bumber downstairs now, will install this weekend. But the "Mount line" and the "pull line" look way off. Hvae you ever heard of anyone tieing the bottom of the warn bumper to a foward skid plate to try an even out the "Mount line/Pull line" angle?
@@18hippies I would imagine the car would be drug by its 4 wheels before it would ever bend the frame/break those bolts. While unibodies aren’t as strong as a typical frame, the small winch capacity of 5-6K pounds max is a built in failsafe. They mount to where the OEM crash bar did. So I’d have to imagine that’s the most durable part of the “frame”
I don’t have any other info aside from what I’ve learned from use. That may be an engineering question that would be better direct to Warn
@@18hippies as for the mount to the skid, that probably wouldn’t help all that much as Most subie skids are aluminum. I’d imagine the aluminum would bend/tear before the steel frame would.
@@Goadvtr Cool, buddy, Good enough.
What fo you think about that bag you are using for your recovery gear?
On amazon, the rating is for both and i cant tell if that bag is good.
I have since switched to a overland vehicle systems recovery wrap, the rhino bag is nothing to call home for though. It’s about the same as a husky tool bag you’d buy from Home Depot.
All these concepts should work on the forester too. I did learn a month or so ago that they don’t all work with the outback wilderness for example, so it’s best to see if your manual explicitly explains not to use points or not.
@@Goadvtr This is good information to know. Thank you.
Any concern that the warn bumper would delay the airbags in the same manner as leaving the eye bolts attached?
Seeing that the warn bumper entirely replaces the crash bar that isnt a concern for me. The reason the tow eyes can cause a delay is it upsets the even distribution of forces across the crash bar and instead localizes it on one spot causing a delay. I am actually a bit concerned with setting the airbags off too easily with the warn bumper as I can see that transferring more force than the OEM bar can potentially falsely triggering the air bags. Hopefully I never have to find out!
The crash sensors would be protected by attaching any kind of protrusive strong parts, so they would not work as they're meant to
@@vlad9999 modern crash sensors are accelerometer based. Nothing has to actually contact them to activate.
While the unibody may not crush as much the accelerometers will still detect the immediate stop. And at higher speeds the unibody would still follow the OEM crush pattern go off as intended. This is per warn.
Subaru doesn’t provide any detail into the reasoning as to why the airbags are delayed/inhibited when it’s left in, but I personally know two people who have has it happen during a collision.
@@vlad9999 vlad you have it backwards. You have no airbag related sensors in your bumper, it is under the center console inside the vehicle
@@Goadvtr on a subaru, and 99% of vehicles, where you replace/bypass stock bumper with steel, or put a steel pushbar out front like yours, you LOWER the impact speed at which airbags will trigger/deploy. You are transferring more force inside of passenger cabin since the sacrificial element design of stock bumper is bypassed.
What brand is that tree saver strap?
It’s the tree strap from harbor freight. Badland I believe. Not bad for the price.
So in the description, you said,
"NOTE it has come to my attention that the Subaru wilderness outback manual specifically states to not use the tie-down points shown in this video as a pulling point."
Is that the under body tie down points you're referring to?
Yes, they are one in the same. The bridle concept can be applied to the eyes supplied with the wilderness.
I read that Subaru installed hitch are connected to the frame by removing the rear bumper during the install
The OEM Subaru 1-1/4” hitch removes and replaces the rear crash bar. While I wouldn’t personally use such a hitch as it’s smaller than most other accessories can mount to, it would provide a rated point. A 2” curt hitch would be a much better option if you’re in the market though.
Anyone have any info on a good trailer hitch assembly to get?
The curt is a solid inexpensive option. There is really only 3 on the market for these.
What size and length is the bridle strap?
That I can’t recall, I want to say it’s 6ft long. It’s just a tree saver from harbor freight.
Where do I get this front bumper
I got mine on sale for around $800 from rallysport direct. I’d imagine they still sell them there. They do pop up on Amazon often too.
Wouldn't that push bar prevent the airbags from being deployed as well? Just like those stock tow hooks? I can see it preventing the airbags. I could have sworn I read that somewhere that that push bar was a safety hazard for front end crashes.
These bumpers in particular don’t affect the crush pattern the way the factory tow eyes would as they mount to the factory points. “Push bars” on the other hand can cause issues to the car in the event of front end crashes as most of the ones on my market don’t replace the OE crash bar and can also affect that crush pattern. There is a comment from the other day that goes into more detail.
pushbars and steel bumpers will *lower* the impact speed at which airbags deploy. Your airbag sensor is in middle of car, where humans are,, typically under center console. There are at least two crush/sacrificial points on your vehicle front (and rear) end: your bumper and some accordion like like elements on th unibody behind it. If you bypass the bumper with a pushbar, or in the rear a tow receiver you are removing the sacrificial element of the bumper and perhaps the other elements as well. This means with a pushbar/steel bumper you will reach the threshold to trigger airbags at a lower speed impacts than normal. This is why of you go with an off-road club off-roading you will see most people with steel bumpers remove the fuse to the air bags
What kind of winch is that? Badlands?
Yup! It’s their ZXR 5000K. It has since been switched to run a full synthetic setup with factor 55 hooks and fairleads. Never given me any issues when it’s needed.
Will this work on an Impreza?
It should transfer for the most part depending on model year.
@@Goadvtrthank you so much for this video. .....🏹🤠👍
Are there any recovery points off the back (if you're without a hitch), like there are in the front? Thinking about a situation where I need to use a hand winch off the back of the XV (again, without a hitch)? Looking forward to the rest in the series. 2015 XV.
So there aren’t any recovery points that I know of, there is the factory tow point, IE that threaded eye hook. If you don’t have a hitch that would be the same place a tow truck would winch from.
Typically speaking a winch is the least likely to cause damage to that point as there isn’t any shock loading. It unfortunately won’t let you pull the vehicle straight as it’s offset to one side; and if you can’t pull on that point straight you may bend/break it. So while you could safely pull yourself straight from there with a hand winch; I would definitely look into investing in a hitch. Solves a lot of that problem. Looking forward to making more videos and expanding on the subject!
Yeah, I've been putting off the hitch since I got it. Got in a jam last weekend (went through some ice) and took me over an hour to dig out enough to get to hard ground so I could use a jack to lift the car (enough to get some logs under the tires to drive out). Would have been a hell of a lot easier using the winch off the back (front wasn't an option). Thanks again and really looking forward to the rest in the series when you get to them!
Do you ever have to tow people out with the crosstrek?
I have had to on quite a few occasions. I have however had to use the winch on myself more than others.
@@Goadvtr is yours manual or cvt? How would you tow using cvt? I have the exact same car with a few mods. And was wondering if you use the paddles or xmode if pulling someone out of snow, thanks
@@theparadigmshift74 it’s an auto. I just put it in drive. You’ll be in the lowest “gear” anyways for most of the time. I use kinetic ropes and haven’t had an issue with even larger vehicles.
@@Goadvtr awesome thank you, only other question i have is what trailer hitch set up did you use? And did you install it yourself. Thanks man for thre info
Synthetic winch ropes stretch. Not 20% but they stretch.
You are correct!
My biggest concern with using a snatch strap as a winch extension is you have that metal hook or shackle attached to something that is stretching in both directions instead of one. If the winch line snaps thats all you have to deal with, if the snatch strap snapped it could send the tow hook flying further than it should have with a standard “no stretch” tow strap or dedicated winch extension. But that’s a whole other video 😅
That bumper probably delays the airbags too. Just saying.
That was a concern of mine also. someone at Warn had mentioned to me that since it replaces the OEM crash bar at the OEM mounting points, it shouldn’t cause any delays per say as It won’t modify any of the force vectors to the accelerometers like the tow eye can. That being said; it can and probably will modify the amount of force it takes to trip the bags. Ie the force of an impact that would set the airbags off at 30mph on the stock bumper may cause a warn equipped trek to go off at 20mph instead as the warn bumper will transfer more energy to the car directly/sooner than the crushing of the crash bar.
There is no crash data for this obviously. But the theory behind their approach makes complete sense.