Towing on subarus
Hi everyone,
My husband I and bought a vintage shasta trailer that weights 1200 lbs dry
weight. It does not have brakes installed on the trailer, so we are exploring
the best option for towing. We are doing a month long cross country trip in
June, but besides that, we would be using the trailer for occasional road
trips throughout the year. We are looking at either installing brakes so that
we can get a 4 cylinder vehicle, but are also interested in exploring the
towing capabilities of the 3.5 v6 subaru outback. Wondering if anyone has
the V6 and if so, any knowledge in towing small trailers without brakes? We
are new to the trailer game so we are trying to do as much research as
possible before making any decisions.
Thanks so much
Just so you know your car has a flat 6, not a V6. The engine has the power to tow the trailer. The weak link is the CVT transmission (assuming you have one). The loaded weight will probably be around 2,000 pounds plus the weight of passengers and things you carry inside the car. I highly recommend you have brakes installed on your trailer and take it easy when towing, if you overheat the transmission it will die. I would look into adding a transmission fluid cooler. The braking has Nothing to do with the engine size, the need is the same with a 4 or a 6.
Look up the owners manual at Subaru's website and read the towing information!
^^^^ Absolutely correct. CVT's are the worst possible choice for towing.
Thank you both very much. This is extremely helpful information. It sounds like installation of brakes is a necessity- has anyone done this themselves or (for a rookie like me) is it best to get this professionally done? It’s sounds like we also need to do more research on vehicles that actually have a V6 engine on top of the brakes. I don’t want to put too much stress on an engine that is not meant to tow
A light trailer like that can be towed with a car but I recommend a pickup or SUV with an actual frame and a tow package (hitch, extra engine/ transmission cooling, trailer hookups etc.).
Dissenting opinion. it's not necessary or recommended by Subaru to add an additional transmission cooler, it's another single point of failure, https://itstillruns.com/tow-cvt-transmission-7915508.html We took our teardrop trailer to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon...no problem... just take it easy... accelerate gently the car will be fine. Anything over 1,500 pounds, in California, you need electric brakes on the trailer... make sure they're coordinated and you have electronic control in your car... best installed by a professional. 2,700 pounds for the H4 and 3,000 pounds for the H6
It's more a matter of perception that CVTs can't tow... just make sure that you don't exceed the limits...
If you're getting a "canned ham"....get the SIX cylinder... plus, even though it weighs 1,200 pounds...you have to figure more weight for the fluids, gear, etc... you're going to be better off..
We did 10,000 miles over 99 days with our teardrop (about 800 lbs) using our Subaru Outback. There were no issues up and down the inclines of the Blue Ridge parkway and up to Nova Scotia. We still only have 15,000 miles on the vehicle but we intend to go west this summer and planning for higher Rocky Mountain adventures/
We pulled a1300 lb gross teardrop to Alaska from Michigan plus other crosscountry trips. We have 120,000 mi on a 2014 Outback. It's been great.
Change your CVT fluid every year if you tow.
Pat9381, do you have 4 cylinder or 6?
