Subaru Outback towing question

[Burro]

Anyone pull their tear with a 2010 or newer subaru outback?

If so, how does it pull. Considering down grading from a tacoma to a subaru.

[TENNJIM]

Pulled a Hunter teardrop, about 900 to 1000 lbs loaded, with a 2011 Outback, 2.5 liter, CVT. It pulled great and averaged about 21 to 22 mpg per trip with some western mountains in the trip. However, the mileage dropped to about 17.5 mpg with a 1400 to 1500 lb. Scotty behind it-it pulled okay, just extra weight and not as good areodynamics.
A little patience is needed on the steeper mountains with the four-banger. I don't rev any tow vehicle much over 3000 rpm on these mountains out here, whatever speed I get is where I stay-usually 40 to 50 mph-people can just pass me, I don't care.

Jim B / Utah

[S. Heisley]

Anyone pull their tear with a 2010 or newer subaru outback?

If so, how does it pull. Considering down grading from a tacoma to a subaru.

This Internet address will take you to a chart of Subaru's towing capacity with and without brakes, for various models and years built....:

http://www.cars101.com/towing.html

The above website also displays a picture of a Subaru outback towing a small teardrop.

[wagondude]

Shadow catcher also tows with a newer Outback, but I believe he has the 3.6l with the five speed automatic. The new 3.6 now comes with the CVT. There are a number of folks over on subaruoutback.org that are towing. You might consider searching around over there, as well.

[Aaron Coffee]

Towed twice with 2011 Outback 2.5 cvt. My TD weighed just under 1,000lbs before I converted it to haul soap box derby car, didn't get a chance to weigh it after conversion and with derby car loaded. Did remove battery and battery bo from tongue to get under 200lb tongue weight. Towed fine, although I did feel the TD behind the Outback where I never noticed it with the Dakota.
Aaron

[Shadow Catcher]

Towed Our about 1600# 6X10 to the west coast with an 2001 OB 3L two years ago. I had added a large oil cooler and went with a 60/20 antifreeze mix (higher boiling point). I use an Ultraguage which tells me among other things the actual engine temperature, had to shut off the AC on some long steep climbs. Had only one real problem and that was a steep uphill in to a camp ground at 10,000 feet.


The newer tow is a 2012 3.6L which is much happier, I will install the oil cooler when I replace all the ATF with synthetic.


One absolute, the brakes on the Subaru are fine for the Subaru, You absolutely do want them on the trailer!

[vermin101]

I to am looking at getting a TD to pull with my 2011 Outback (6MT). The plan is to have the trailer to weigh in around 650#. Would I still want trailer breaks on this setup? I live on the east cost so not a lot of really steep hill climbs but you never know where we might end up.

If breaks are needed whats the best way to add breaks to a trailer?

Thanks
bv

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I have a 2014 Crosstrek with the little 2.0L and CVT transmission. Official towing capacity is 1500lbs, without trailer brakes. My camper is 1280lbs empty, with no brakes. I went to a couple music festivals this summer, with 4 people in the car and the camper LOADED full of gear and coolers. Without a doubt WELL over the 1500lb rating. I wouldnt be surprised if we were close to 2000lbs.

Ssshhhhh.... don't tell Subaru

It towed great! The engine did wind out pretty well going up a couple STEEP grades, but it kept on going with no issues.

Now if I were in the mountains of Colorado, then I would have needed to travel a little lighter.

Going is not the issue in question. Its the stopping. Just give yourself plenty of room to stop, and drive incredibly defensively. Most tow ratings are regulated by the government, and are not necessarily a reflection of what the vehicle is capable of.

[Burro]

Thanks,

My tear is about 1000# unloaded. When I pull it with my Tacoma I can't even tell it is behind me. I have towed it through South Dakota at 85 without a problem. So, the Subaru will be a bit of a change, but looks like it should do the job, just at a slower pace.

I asked the subaru dealer about getting a 7 pin and what the tongue weight would be, but the they could not tell me. Thanks for the resources. The tongue weight is 170.

[ChasCABQ]

You should have no trouble. My 2014 Outback tows a trash trailer weighing about 700 lbs with no problems. It has 2.5L CVT. My teardrop should weigh about 750 lbs when I finish it this winter. Ditto what others said about stopping...

[byrdz1]

I have a 2011 outback, and I put a transmission cooler in it "just for fun" it was about $170 installed, mostly due to having to to flush the radiator and something about the front differential. I tow all over I5 and never wind it up. The last time I weighed the tear it came in a 2200 loaded (I keep all of my stuff in it). I am also a notorious lead foot and we do fine except for the one last pass before Hugo Oregon

[Vedette]

2200 lbs.... ....yes, it does look like you have just moved away from home when you open the TD door??
All good stuff though Especially for those who might have forgotten something??
But, not to hijack this thread....All I know about Subaru's is .....Don't ever lose your keys!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[felixx]

I have a 98 2500cc 5spd manual outback
I regularly tow a 3cubic mtre high side trailer of wet pine with is and have no issues
When I got mine in 2007 my mechanic told me it will need a new clutch soon

Still on that clutch now

Great wagons.
I will replace it with a newer one in 2 years (stupid hobbies keep me broke)