So, do you have a small tow vehicle?

[rowerwet]

unless you build your TD like a tank, if you are within the TV tow rating you should be ok.

[Mike-n-Britney]

unless you build your TD like a tank, if you are within the TV tow rating you should be ok.

Um, yes, if you are within tow rating, it can be done...

Notice, I said "tow comfortably". I tow a loaded Little Guy Silver Shadow @ 1500lbs. This may be WELL within the ratings of the Outback, but how much of a struggle is it? I hitch up the SS behind my GTO and the suspension handles it just fine, and the brakes are more than adequate - but with 400hp/400tq, I don't have to worry about grades, or wind, or highway speeds. It isn't much, if any, strain on the car, and the act of towing becomes comfortable, not a high effort activity.

If the Outback can tow a 1500lb teardrop COMFORTABLY, then the AWD, the increased ground clearance, the huge increase in interior space, and [hopefully] the increased mileage will all be a bonus. If it can't do it COMFORTABLY, then I'll stick to using the GTO that gets 20mpg while towing very comfortably.

Towing at/near the limits only shortens a vehicles life span.


And just because something CAN be done, doesn't mean it SHOULD be done.

[angib]

Or you guys could move to Yurp, where the Outback is available with a 2.0 litre diesel that makes the same torque as the 3.6 litre gas version, but delivers 60% better fuel economy.
http://subaru.co.uk/vehicles/outback/

[rowerwet]

Or you guys could move to Yurp, where the Outback is available with a 2.0 litre diesel that makes the same torque as the 3.6 litre gas version, but delivers 60% better fuel economy.
http://subaru.co.uk/vehicles/outback/

being a Ford guy I was very disappointed to find out Ford wasn't going to bring the nice diesel engine for the Focus over here from Europe, I would love one especially after listening to my Jetta driving relatives rave about their milage.
If anybody makes a good 7 passenger minivan with a good diesel engine I will buy one when my current van dies. Maybe 6$ gas might get our car companies moving in the right direction on this. (once we get out of this depression and ecnomies start moving again gas will get up there)
Of course in my perfect world car companies would only make the car, you would buy or lease the engine from engine making companies, the engine, rear axle and fuel tank or batteries would all bolt on to the rear of the car. That way getting a Hybrid or just electric for the car you just drive around town most of the time, taking a trip... lease a Diesel engine. If natural gas is in your area get a NG powered engine pack with an engine made to run on NG, not a low powered auto gas engine with the lower compression ratio. A lot more innovation could happen that way if the power train wasn't tied to the car you bought.
I tow my TD with my focus an hour each way to work, 100 miles a week. My trailer is light, I've got to weigh it sometime, but I know I can wheel it around on the grass real easy. It is 5' wide and built light, I made it 6" taller than my cars roof and it still can get up an go 75 mph no problem, even up and down the hills of New England. It doesn't seem to wag the tail of the car and it barely pushes me much when stopping. I still have enough power to pull out and pass other cars while towing, that usually gets them to back off anyway and let me pass them easier when they see the trailer coming along also.
Don't build a tank, stay within the towing limits on the car (2000 lbs for my focus sedan) and take it easy until you get the feel for how it tows.

[KevinR]

I need a teardrop to tow here...

[rowerwet]

LIKE!

[campmaster-k]

Great pics and good topic. I just sold a four cylinder jeep, it was a great reliable partner but it could barely pull itself up hill at highway speeds. I also own a Smart Passion. I think either is capable of towing but not at highway speeds. Now my Chevy Colorado can pull a tear up a pine tree.

[rebapuck]

I tow with a '66 VW bus. Not a small vehicle, but very small engine.

I bought the Puck because it was towable by even the Beetle. Alas, my 1600 (40hp) engine just couldn't do it except on the flat. So I put in a new 1956cc engine. I don't know how many horsepower that is, but we GO GO GO.

[LoriCz]

Hi,

Here is my 2 cents of information. I have a Silver Shadow, 936lbs dry. Last year I towed it with my 2005 Toyota Camry (2.4 4 cyl) - pulled like a dream, got 32 mpg at an avg of 65 mph. Drops steeply if I go much over 70. However, the car had close to 100k and I was worried I was taxing the transmission or whatnot on it so I researched other cars/suv/truck.

I ended up buying a 2011 Subaru Forester (xt I think - limited? 2.5, not turbo). It was supposed to get 22/28 on the town/hwy miles. However, at 6,000 miles I still have a hard time breaking 22 mpg when towing and I drive quite conservatively. 65 mph, gentle on the acceleration, etc. I have not been happy with the car at all. It seems like the engine struggles harder to pull, even the mildest of inclines makes the rpm zoom up to 5-6 with engine noise, particularly if I use the cruise control.

There are many other features that bother me as well, none of which are that important, but annoying. The turn signal will not turn off unless it's been at least a full 90 degree turn (I'm forever noticing it's still on and embarrassed.) When I turn on heat, AC or just fan, there is often a terrible engine smell for about 10 min. I have to open the windows to breathe. The carpet is more like sprayed on fibers over cardboard. The interior sunblock & dash are cheap plastic (even though this is an upgraded model with leather seats). It's much noisier than the Camry, the wind on the top (roof rack maybe?), the engine, all wheel drive, etc all combine. The seat heat buttons are tucked under the center arm rest and to see them I have to take my eyes off road and tuck head down. See? little stuff, but aggravating. I really wish I'd put the money into an older Toyota Highlander instead. Oh - and the windshield cracked on my first trip. No idea how, I stayed away from traffic as much as possible and didn't see or hear anything hit it.

[lcr1000]

Im sure it is Illegal to tow anything in the UK with a smart car.

[Larry C]

Hi,

Here is my 2 cents of information. I have a Silver Shadow, 936lbs dry. Last year I towed it with my 2005 Toyota Camry (2.4 4 cyl) - pulled like a dream, got 32 mpg at an avg of 65 mph. Drops steeply if I go much over 70. However, the car had close to 100k and I was worried I was taxing the transmission or whatnot on it so I researched other cars/suv/truck.

I ended up buying a 2011 Subaru Forester (xt I think - limited? 2.5, not turbo). It was supposed to get 22/28 on the town/hwy miles. However, at 6,000 miles I still have a hard time breaking 22 mpg when towing and I drive quite conservatively. 65 mph, gentle on the acceleration, etc. I have not been happy with the car at all. It seems like the engine struggles harder to pull, even the mildest of inclines makes the rpm zoom up to 5-6 with engine noise, particularly if I use the cruise control.

There are many other features that bother me as well, none of which are that important, but annoying. The turn signal will not turn off unless it's been at least a full 90 degree turn (I'm forever noticing it's still on and embarrassed.) When I turn on heat, AC or just fan, there is often a terrible engine smell for about 10 min. I have to open the windows to breathe. The carpet is more like sprayed on fibers over cardboard. The interior sunblock & dash are cheap plastic (even though this is an upgraded model with leather seats). It's much noisier than the Camry, the wind on the top (roof rack maybe?), the engine, all wheel drive, etc all combine. The seat heat buttons are tucked under the center arm rest and to see them I have to take my eyes off road and tuck head down. See? little stuff, but aggravating. I really wish I'd put the money into an older Toyota Highlander instead. Oh - and the windshield cracked on my first trip. No idea how, I stayed away from traffic as much as possible and didn't see or hear anything hit it.

I know exactly what your saying about the Forester. I don't know why they have such a good following. I think they are junk. I tried one last fall along with a lot of other vehicles. It was one of the cheapest built cars I have ever seen. The 4 cyl non turbo was totally gutless. I find it hard to believe anyone can tow with a Forester, especially if it's hilly terrain.

My $.02

[millstone]

I'm building a 5 x 10 foamie. I hope to pull it with an 08 Mini Cooper Clubman.

M.