Trailer Towing (2012 OB 2.5i 4cyl)

[YouSeeI]

Hi All!

I have the 4 cyl 2012 OB. Thinking of installing a trailer receiver for the purposes of towing a small U-Haul cargo trailer (850lbs empty weight) to move my furniture cross-country.

Has anybody done this before with a 4 cyl OB? Is it too underpowered to tow a U-Haul trailer?

I've noticed that the OB doesn't have that little plug to connect the trailer's brake lights. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen an OB tow a cargo trailer and most trailer receivers on OB are used for bicycle racks.

Thanks in advance.

[statueim]

If you install a hitch, the package should come with the cabling to hook up the lights.

I installed the OEM 1 1/4" hitch and have towed a larger U-Haul trailer than you're describing without issue. The first time was a short 10 mile move and the second was an hundred miles. My drive was relatively flat, so I can't speak for how it performs on really hilly areas. The car can get moving fine, but make sure to leave extra stopping distance and I would recommend sticking to U-Haul's 55mph speed limit (especially if you don't tow much like me).

Make sure you check the user manual and all of your towing equipment for max load capacities (gross axle weight, maximum tongue weight, etc.). But I think you should be fine so long as you aren't going up steep mountains or anything.

[hockeymaine]

I have a 2011 2.5 Outback Limited. I installed the Hidden Hitch 2" reciever. I am amazed at how well this car tows. I trailer a 19' boat with 6 cylinder inboard/outboard. I have pulled the boat out of a steep ramp that 4 wheel drive pick-ups were having trouble with the sand. I do not tow far less than 20 miles but the boat is bigger than the car. If you follow the limits in the manual, I would not hesitate towing with the car. I did adjust the trailer to keep weight on hitch reasonable.

[mcbrew]

Outbacks are used to tow all the time. Your 2.5 has a tow rating of 2,700 pounds in the US and 4,000 pounds in Europe. I tow a 1,500 pound camper with mine, as well as a cargo trailer. They are prewired for trailer lights. You will need the converter box... just go to etrailer.com and punch in your car. You will see two different brands of converter box that work for your car. Choose either one. The wiring connector is behind the trim panel on the left side of the cargo area.

Read your owners manual, there is a whole chapter on trailer towing.

[LensCap]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

Outbacks are used to tow all the time. Your 2.5 has a tow rating of 2,700 pounds in the US and 4,000 pounds in Europe. I tow a 1,500 pound camper with mine, as well as a cargo trailer. They are prewired for trailer lights. You will need the converter box... just go to etrailer.com and punch in your car. You will see two different brands of converter box that work for your car. Choose either one. The wiring connector is behind the trim panel on the left side of the cargo area.

Read your owners manual, there is a whole chapter on trailer towing.

I find it interesting that Subaru rates the Outback higher for towing in the UK. I wonder if it's due to increased ride height on the US version or just because most American drivers are inept and litigious?

Speaking of towing, has anyone added additional cooling to their CVT to reduce the "5 miles of climbing" and high temp weight limits?

[Crusader50]

I tow a small cargo trailer with my 2.5 all the time. Pulls great and handles great! I installed a 2" Hidden Hitch from e-trailer. I also bought the direct plug-in wiring harness. From start to finish it took less than 1.5 hours to install the hitch and wiring. The wiring stows in the spare tire well and can be pulled out when needed. I bought the round mounted connector, but after looking at the ease of installing the four pin, I returned the round connector. And, BTW, I do haul a bike rack around as well!

[wobage]

I have a 2.5 w/CVT and tow a 6X10 enclosed cargo trailer. Since I tow w/over 1,000 lbs gvw (and in the mountains), I have electric brakes on the trailer. Have towed over 2,200 lbs gvw w/o any issues, but i do not drive over 65 and mostly drive 40-50 when traffic allows. Get around 22 mpg when loaded and 30+ w/o trailer. CVT works just fine w trailer. 2011 Outback tows just fine..... Drove over Indy Pass in CO (over 12,000 elev !) moderately loaded (probably around 1500+ gvw), and with two kayaks on top of Suby. Pulled the pass just fine and elec brakes were nice on the long downhill.

[OutbackUFO]

Originally Posted by LensCap

I wonder if it's due to increased ride height on the US version or just because most American drivers are inept and litigious?

Ding ding!!! Winner!!
Sadly the latter is true

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by LensCap

I find it interesting that Subaru rates the Outback higher for towing in the UK. I wonder if it's due to increased ride height on the US version or just because most American drivers are inept and litigious?
?

This is not unique to Subaru. Nearly every car is like this. You know a VW Golf TDI is rated to tow 3,400 pounds in Europe? Not only that, but it was rated best tow vehicle in the -3,400 pound category for towing campers.

The only unusual thing about Subaru is that they DO have a decent tow rating in the US. Most car companies drop their rating to 1,000 pounds or down to zero here.

[Bassman]

Originally Posted by LensCap

Speaking of towing, has anyone added additional cooling to their CVT to reduce the "5 miles of climbing" and high temp weight limits?

I have thought carefully about installing an external transmission oil cooler. Both dealerships at which I have had service performed (both seem to be quite good) recommend against the installation, as it is not "called for" by the factory. One mechanic thought that since the car did not come with one (the 2010 OB / CVT did.....go figure) installation of one might void the warranty. As of this point, I have not installed one....