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.
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.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
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.
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
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.
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
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.
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
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.
