08 Subaru Forester Trailer Hitch?

e-trailer.com sells the hitch for about $140 and the wiring kit for about $38. The hitch will install without drilling any holes but the exhaust system might need to be lowered away from the frame to make the installation holes more accessible. Most shops will charge $100-$150 for the installation on a hitch like this. Alternately, if you have a handy mechanical family member or friend you can have them do it. The wiring, which scares many people is done quite easily with connectors that snap into the factory harness in the taillight brake light area. I did this on my Honda recently and it made it pretty easy.

As far as the car's cooling system or transmission or brakes you should not need any changes other than to be sure they are properly serviced and all working properly. Generally if you get into trailer loads of over 2000 pounds you should check if you need a transmission cooler or other accessories to make life easier on things.

I tow a 1300 pound trailer with my Honda Accord and I have even done it with my smaller Honda Fit - both of those cars are much less heavy duty than your Forester.

The problem is the hitch on the 09's replace the rear bumper, I would reccomend the Subaru one, but from what I hear U-Haul does them now too for a little less.

You can find out which trailer hitch is right for your car by checking out www.reesehitches.com - just type in the year, make, and model and they can help you figure it out easily.