check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar Topargee products Enginesaver Low Water Alarms Red Earth Festival Hammervan Park Booker
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Towing Experiences with Subaru Outback MY 14 2.5i petrol engine


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 4
Date:
Towing Experiences with Subaru Outback MY 14 2.5i petrol engine


To date we have only undertaken some short trips  from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast with our 2014 Subaru Outback Premium towing an Avan Robina poptop caravan which has Tare Mass of 1180 kg and ATM of 1480kg. The Subaru has a towing capacity of 1,500kg and for this relatively short trip the car/van combo seems to work OK. Just seeking some feedback from other who have used a Subaru as the tow vehicle. Still don't have any clear answers from Subaru as the reasons for the max 80kph speed limit when towing. The car is coming to the end of its 3 year lease approx 75,000 on the clock within the next few months and we are  contemplating whether we should keep or purchase another vehicle with a higher towing capacity before we head off on some 4-6 week trips around the country in the next couple of years.



__________________


Chief one feather

Status: Offline
Posts: 17431
Date:

Welcome to the gang Broncosgb, enjoy here and out in the playground.

In my opinion, I would get something with more towing capacity as the Sub is way too close to the bone for my liking. I got a Holden Collorado with printed 3.5T towing capacity but only tow 2.7T. I planned it that way so the tug doesn't overwork. If you decide to change dens over to something bigger later on you already have a tug to pull it. There are some great tugs out there not only utes.


Keep Safe on the roads and out there.



__________________

Live Life On Your Terms

DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV  (with some changes)

 



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1898
Date:

hi broncosgb, the attraction of towing with your Outback is that unlike the Utes they are built more with passenger comfort in mind. I have a Pajero Sport which is basically a wagon version of the Triton, suspension wise it might not be as as well equipped to tow as some of the Utes but is defiantly more comfortable when driving around town due to it's softer coils etc. I also pull around 2.6T (Sport is rated 3.1T) but I would suggest that due to its smaller 2.4ltr engine would be a lot more comfortable pulling somewhere between 2T and 2.5T, your current Avan would be a breeze. Before the Sport I owned a 2014 Kia Sorrento and if it had had more towing capacity (2T auto) I never would have traded it in as it was one of the most comfortable car like 7 seat SUVs that I have ever driven. Like Dougwe said there are plenty of great tugs out there especially if you intend staying with the lighter weight van that you already have.

__________________

DavRo

2018 Grand Cherokee Limited - 2022 Concorde 2000



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3066
Date:

What's the capacity for the 3.6l motor.

Those Outbacks are a real nice car for touring?.

__________________


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 225
Date:

the problem with most suv type vehicles is lack of pay load 2 adults a tank of fuel and a suit case in the back leaves very little tow ball weight the suv has a pay load of 650 kgs where as most utes is more like 1050 kgs

__________________


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1840
Date:

Right on the limits, not a good idea & would be thirsty.

Our Avan Erin Mk2 çaravan weighs 1600kg fully loaded, ball weight of 170kg. Our diesel ute has a towing capacity of 2800kg, maximum ball weight 280kg.

Plenty in reserve & great fuel economy 11.5l/100kms.

__________________

Cheers Keith & Judy

Don't take life too seriously, it never ends well.

Trip Reports posted on feathersandphotos.com.au Go to Forums then Trip Reports.

 



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2067
Date:

Hi Broncosgb, my son has a Forester & I recall reading his owner's manual. it too stated no towing over 80Kph. I believe it is to protect the transmission.

As everyone else has said, you are running too close to the car's limits. My Patrol has a towing capacity of 3.5T but there's no way I'll pull anything heavier than 2T, as it has 400,000Kms on the clock).

Any of the modern utes, wagons & larger SUVs would do the job. A friend has an Izuzu-MUX & is quite impressed with it.

You do not have to have 4WD (or AWD) but it's nice at times.

I guess you'll have a busy couple of months as you check around - have a look at car forums too & you'll gather useful info.

__________________

Warren

----------------

If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!

2019 Isuzu D-Max dual cab, canopy, Fulcrum suspension; 2011 17' Jayco Discovery poptop Outback



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 235
Date:

Suggested weight from a UK based site is the van should weigh no more than 85% of the vehicles actual on road weight;ie, Kerb weight plus driver, passengers and any luggage. Van weight = 1480kgs + 15% = 1702 kgs. So, based on that, the towing vehicle plus passengers and luggage should weigh no less than 1702 kgs. Of course many will argue this point and substitute their own rule; vehicle should weigh twice the weight of the towed mass and have as a minimum a 6 litre V8 diesel and so on. So, who should you believe? Joe Blow, whose only claim to fame is being a member of this forum or a motoring writer whose job entails testing a range of vehicles under varying conditions armed with a list of parameters they consider necessary for a tug.

__________________


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 4
Date:

Thanks Doug, Your feedback is much appreciated and I think i will take the majority of advise provided thus far and search for  a tow vehicle with a larger towing capacity. Travel safe



__________________


Newbie

Status: Offline
Posts: 4
Date:

Hi All, Thanks for your valuable  feedback  and based on the majority of advise provided thus far will search for  a tow vehicle with a larger towing capacity.  Safe travel to all.



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook