towing ability?

Tow capacity should be in owners manual or possably on sticker in glove box , doors,or call your local dealer they should be able to pull that info up for you

About 3900lbs for a trailer with over-run brakes

Thanks for your answers, Yesterday I found many different opinions online yesterday. My car is rated for 2700# but read so many different opinions about towing with an outback. Just got it and don't want to blow the turbo or transmission. anyone have experience with towing with a turbo automatic outback? any personal stories would be great.

my dad and i towed a 1500lb boat and trailer (combined) 12 hours from Cincinnati Ohio to Albany NY and had no trouble but i wold not reccomend much over 2000lbs even when not climbing hills. my dads car is an 09 non turbo so that would make a difference but it says the non turbo is rated for 2500. the biggest issue with the subaru is the tongue weight. the suspension is not designed for a ton of weight at the back of the car so you need to keep it under 100lb tongue weight if possible. i suggest putting the lightest weight stuff in front of the trailer so the trailer weight is balanced not front heavy.

According to Edmunds, your car can tow 2,700 pounds. I have a 2010 Outback 2.5 with the CVT transmission and a small teardrop trailer that weighs 1,000 pounds. I have pulled that all the way up 9,000 feet to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with no problems. You should be able to tow anything up to this capacity. The only thing that you need to be concerned with is the tongue weight on the trailer, maximum is 200 pounds. I called Subaru of America and confirmed that the tow weight of the trailer is in addition to the maximum weight of the vehicle, so, when figuring your vehicle weight, add the people and gear in the car and be sure not to exceed that number. I think my vehicle weight capacity was around 850 pounds. These are pretty strong cars and robust engines, even with the Four cylinder. The only difference between the Four and the Six is acceleration, the H4 will get you there, it might just be a little slower. I was pleasantly surprised by how competent it is. Forget about 3,900 pounds as someone posted in these answers. If you really need this capability, I suggest you look at another vehicle. Different states have rules about trailer brakes and most require electric brakes for trailers 1,500 pounds or more. Good luck.

I have a 2005 2.5XT, with auto and have towed a 16.75 Lund SS with 90 hp Honda since owning the XT. I probably should have trailer brakes but limit my MPH to ~60 in traffic. I carry 2 adults and a dog. I run down the boat's tank (25 gal,) to keep wt lower and refill near the lakes. We see some low mountains and try to stay off-road on high-traffic weekends. No problem yanking boat up launches due to XT torque. The rig weighs 2400. Do not abuse outback brakes- downshift with paddles. Remember the outback needs thoughtful driving.

Thank you, I didn't know that there were paddle shifters on the 2005? I do have them on the 2010 Outback Limited with the CVT transmission, which I like very much. Your XT is a turbo? Have you had any head gasket problems? In California, you only need trailer brakes for trailers weighing more than 1,500 pounds and mine is 950-1,000 pounds. It is made out of fiberglass. I use the paddle shifters on mountain descents, is that what you mean about thoughtful driving? I also give myself way more distance from other cars and slow down gradually. So, you don't have any problems towing 2,400 pounds? I thought that the maximum on the Forrester was 1,500 ? Maybe not in your case with the turbo? You have a Forrester, correct?

Sorry, maybe it is 2,700 pounds, but, that's pretty close to the limit at 2,400.

My apologies, just looked up your car, and I see it's the Outback, is your car an automatic or manual?

Automatic. Is it possible to tow 3100 lbs if fairly level road conditions?

I towed 2000 pounds (40 pounds each times 50 ciment 18inch x18 × 1.50ish) Mine is a Legacy GT ( same as XT but different gearing less torque down low) I did install a XT suspension on it with bigger tires and 2000 pounds in the back was OK 2500 maybe allright.. but pushing it.. Would I go 3000.. if its very close by maybe.. ( remind I dont have trailer brake but Legacy GT have stronger brakes than Outback XT