Towing with Subaru Outback - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Post-Classic Whalers
  Towing with Subaru Outback

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Towing with Subaru Outback

diveguy posted 08-09-2004 01:31 AM ET (US)
My Dauntless weighs in at 1350 lbs dry, plus the weight of the galvanized trailer. I usually tow it to the dock and around town with my 2000 Subaru Outback (rated towing capacity 2000 lbs) with no problems whatsoever,
I'm heading out on vacation in a few weeks, and would like to tow it about 450 miles. Mostly flat freeway, a few mountains but I can take those slow. Does anyone tow a similar setup/weight with their Subaru? Any thoughts?
Thanks - any helpful comments appreciated!
PeteB88 posted 08-09-2004 01:38 AM ET (US)
Sounds like a lot of weight to me. I would definitely call the dealer. I used to tow lots of weight w/ a 1980 Toyota Corolla wagon when I lived in Oregan and did lots of white water. It had conventional drive train, 5 speed and I knew how to drive and shift properly. I used to stack 4 selfbailer rafts plus load the car with gear and raft frames. It was nuts or I would tow a 16 foot drift boat with all the gear etc.
My guess is yours is an automatic. Your boat is heavy for that set-up. Unless the dealer concurrs get a bigger unit. OR rent something for your trip to save wear and tear. D
OzWhaler posted 08-09-2004 06:26 AM ET (US)
Hi Diveguy ! Greetings from the land of Oz..
I have a 2001 2.5 litre Subaru Outback 5-speed manual which is rated at 1500 kg towing capacity. I was concerned about towing a 170 Montauk (about 1000kg - 2200lbs) with this car when it is delivered and didn't want to have to get a larger 4WD to tow it...
I had the opportunity of a real test when a friend purchased a 580 Southwind (CC - 19ft f/glass Yamaha design - about 1100kg towing weight)and asked if I could tow it 420km up our west coast for him as I 'was going that way..'!
The road has some decent hills and a range of road conditions and it was quite hot (30+degrees C)so it was to be a good test. The Subaru passed with flying colours - a number of times on the flat roads I forgot the boat was there! On only one occasion on a steep hill, AND overtaking a road train, did I have to change down gears to power past.
The really big effect was on the fuel consumption - I estimated that for the 400km run I used about 25% more fuel than I would normally use for the same journey which I do very regularly ...normally I would travel at 110-115 kph but I stuck to 100kph (by choice)with the load on.
I am pleased that the Subaru will be able to handle the Montauk and big factors are the constant all wheel drive and the manual transmission - I am never happy towing loads with automatic transmission cars.
Hope this helps
HuronBob posted 08-10-2004 10:44 AM ET (US)
Diveguy,
I just towed my 13 footer about 100 miles from the dealer where I picked it up with my 2003 Subaru Baja... hardly knew it was there!

I would guess you've got about another 500 lbs, but I would think that, with a little common sense, it shouldn't be a problem for you.....
Bob
davej14 posted 08-10-2004 01:45 PM ET (US)
I'll bet you are considerably over the maximum limit for your vehicle, which generally includes the load in the vehicle. The main concern is the temperature in the automatic transmission on those "few mountains". With a standard this is not so much of a concern. Check the dealer to see if you should add a cooler.
soggy bottom boy posted 08-10-2004 06:47 PM ET (US)
Greetings all:
(As an aside, this should be posted on the General Forum given it is relevant to many Classic and Non-Classic owners alike.)
I have a 2001 Legacy GT, which is the same as the Outback in every way save for ground clearance (lower 1"). I just towed a 14' aluminum Jon Boat w/15hp Yamaha 4 stroke approximately 600 miles through very hilly country. There was fishing equipment and 3 packed coolers in it, so it was heavy, but I have no idea how much it weighed.
My point is, I was maxed out with my wife, two boys, boat and gear. Simply at the margin for towing safely.
I would consider renting or buying larger.
Cheers,
Soggy.
Jimm posted 08-11-2004 09:21 AM ET (US)
Did you include the weight of the motor?

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Towing with Subaru Outback
diveguy	posted 08-09-2004 01:31 AM ET (US) My Dauntless weighs in at 1350 lbs dry, plus the weight of the galvanized trailer. I usually tow it to the dock and around town with my 2000 Subaru Outback (rated towing capacity 2000 lbs) with no problems whatsoever, I'm heading out on vacation in a few weeks, and would like to tow it about 450 miles. Mostly flat freeway, a few mountains but I can take those slow. Does anyone tow a similar setup/weight with their Subaru? Any thoughts? Thanks - any helpful comments appreciated!
PeteB88	posted 08-09-2004 01:38 AM ET (US) Sounds like a lot of weight to me. I would definitely call the dealer. I used to tow lots of weight w/ a 1980 Toyota Corolla wagon when I lived in Oregan and did lots of white water. It had conventional drive train, 5 speed and I knew how to drive and shift properly. I used to stack 4 selfbailer rafts plus load the car with gear and raft frames. It was nuts or I would tow a 16 foot drift boat with all the gear etc. My guess is yours is an automatic. Your boat is heavy for that set-up. Unless the dealer concurrs get a bigger unit. OR rent something for your trip to save wear and tear. D
OzWhaler	posted 08-09-2004 06:26 AM ET (US) Hi Diveguy ! Greetings from the land of Oz.. I have a 2001 2.5 litre Subaru Outback 5-speed manual which is rated at 1500 kg towing capacity. I was concerned about towing a 170 Montauk (about 1000kg - 2200lbs) with this car when it is delivered and didn't want to have to get a larger 4WD to tow it... I had the opportunity of a real test when a friend purchased a 580 Southwind (CC - 19ft f/glass Yamaha design - about 1100kg towing weight)and asked if I could tow it 420km up our west coast for him as I 'was going that way..'! The road has some decent hills and a range of road conditions and it was quite hot (30+degrees C)so it was to be a good test. The Subaru passed with flying colours - a number of times on the flat roads I forgot the boat was there! On only one occasion on a steep hill, AND overtaking a road train, did I have to change down gears to power past. The really big effect was on the fuel consumption - I estimated that for the 400km run I used about 25% more fuel than I would normally use for the same journey which I do very regularly ...normally I would travel at 110-115 kph but I stuck to 100kph (by choice)with the load on. I am pleased that the Subaru will be able to handle the Montauk and big factors are the constant all wheel drive and the manual transmission - I am never happy towing loads with automatic transmission cars. Hope this helps
HuronBob	posted 08-10-2004 10:44 AM ET (US) Diveguy, I just towed my 13 footer about 100 miles from the dealer where I picked it up with my 2003 Subaru Baja... hardly knew it was there! I would guess you've got about another 500 lbs, but I would think that, with a little common sense, it shouldn't be a problem for you..... Bob
davej14	posted 08-10-2004 01:45 PM ET (US) I'll bet you are considerably over the maximum limit for your vehicle, which generally includes the load in the vehicle. The main concern is the temperature in the automatic transmission on those "few mountains". With a standard this is not so much of a concern. Check the dealer to see if you should add a cooler.
soggy bottom boy	posted 08-10-2004 06:47 PM ET (US) Greetings all: (As an aside, this should be posted on the General Forum given it is relevant to many Classic and Non-Classic owners alike.) I have a 2001 Legacy GT, which is the same as the Outback in every way save for ground clearance (lower 1"). I just towed a 14' aluminum Jon Boat w/15hp Yamaha 4 stroke approximately 600 miles through very hilly country. There was fishing equipment and 3 packed coolers in it, so it was heavy, but I have no idea how much it weighed. My point is, I was maxed out with my wife, two boys, boat and gear. Simply at the margin for towing safely. I would consider renting or buying larger. Cheers, Soggy.
Jimm	posted 08-11-2004 09:21 AM ET (US) Did you include the weight of the motor?