New(er) Subaru Tow Vehicle

[Shadow Catcher]

Looks like I have found Subaru #14 a 2012 White with white with all the bells and whistles down in Dayton. I will see if I can get them to install the converter for trailer lights. I will have to install the brake controller and outlet for the refrigerator.
You all contributed to the decision to stick with the H6
Tom

[wagondude]

Nice. You will feel like your in a cave with the new layout. The console almost seems twice as wide as the earlier models. The MPG hit for the h6 vs the h4 isn't as bad as most think it would be. If I get another one, I'll go for the 6 as well. Don't forget to post a picture when you get it home.

[Shadow Catcher]

I use an ultragauge which tells me exactly what I am getting in mpg. With our 01 3L H6 we do get 18 MPG and 24 mpg highway but it wants premium, the new one regular.

[BillZ]

The dealer said any evidence of using a hitch for anything but a bike rack would void all sorts of warranties, but its awesome for commuting and I have a big truck for camping.

They'd never even know. Unless they were trollin T&TTT for possible warranty violators like Paul.

Wouldn't the Impreza be able to tow just as easily as a Forester or Legacy? They have the same engine.

[Kharn]

Wouldn't the Impreza be able to tow just as easily as a Forester or Legacy? They have the same engine.

Not quite, the Forester and Impreza both use the FB engine family while the Impreza uses a normal 2.0L, the 2014 Forester uses either a 2.5L or a turboed 2.0L, so the the Forester has significantly more torque and horsepower.

[MarkD]

We have a 2010 Outback 2.5 L with the CVT towing a bit under 1000# and about 80# on the tongue. I'm guessing that you will want to beef up the back end a bit - even ours sags a little when loaded. We've towed with kayaks on top and did OK, but it works without the boats. Overall it has been a good setup for us even in the mountains and I do like the CVT. Any more weight than we have and I would want brakes on the trailer and a tranny cooler might be cheap insurance but we don't have one and have close to 5K on the rig without issues. I hope that this helps.

Mark
Bend, OR

[Shadow Catcher]

We have a set of rally springs in the rear of our 01 and that took care of the saggy butt problem and I may just switch them over to the new one. I am going to go with a class 3 hitch this time so I can get a stainless steel trailer ball and some what beefier draw bar lock.

[parnold]

Wouldn't the Impreza be able to tow just as easily as a Forester or Legacy? They have the same engine.

Not quite, the Forester and Impreza both use the FB engine family while the Impreza uses a normal 2.0L, the 2014 Forester uses either a 2.5L or a turboed 2.0L, so the the Forester has significantly more torque and horsepower.

In 2011 the Impreza had the 2.5. Same motor as the Forester. It wasn't until 2012 that they put the smaller motor in them for fuel economy.