Subaru Forester Review: Inflation Kit
Reading the recent review of the Subaru Forester in this months magazine I generally agreed with all that was written having just taken delivery of a new 2.0 petrol version; and really enjoying driving it. Since giving up towing DPF/turbo/CRDI/Intercoolers no longer 'thrill' me. However, I believe that the article in the magazine has an error in respect of the Subaru Forester having an inflation kit to use in the event of a puncture. Mine came with a space saver spare wheel and there was no mention of an inflation kit option by the dealer. Of more relevance to caravanners, and those who roam into remoter areas, is that the Forester space saver is not approved for towing and should only be used on the rear wheel(s). What Subaru UK dont tell you is that whilst a full size spare isnt an approved option, a full size wheel will fit into the wheel well under the load area floor. In Australia Subaru AU would not import the cars without a full size spare. The full size spare will fit into the wheel well but doesnt sit exactly flat but a friend of mine in Oz says that some have either slightly de-pressured the tyre, or taken it to a specialist to have its outer diameter trimmed slightly. Whichever approach is used the penalty (slight) is that the foam oddments stowage that sits between the load area floor and wheel stowage has to be removed, but there is still space around a full size spare to stow those come in handy pieces.
If you Google Subaru Forester Owners Forum and search on Full Size Spare you will see posts and pics from Australia and the US. many have steel wheels but the overall OD of the assembly is as we have in UK.
Given that Subaru UK are marketing the Forester at caravan owners, or people who go/live/work in remote locations I am surprised that they havent made more of the abilty to stow a full size spare wheel. I have contacted them twice now to discuss the topic without any response. The link below should take you directly to the Owners Forum thread.
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f151/2014-forester-full-size-spare-175481/index4.html