2011 Camping Right Away - Subaru Outback

jodaro · 08-24-2011, 05:28 PM

We bought our 2011 3.6 Limited last Friday, and went camping on Saturday in Big Sur. No time wasted. Definitely took some willpower to enjoy the outdoors and avoid playing with the car. (Yes, the rear door and hatch are slightly ajar)

I ended up with a Thule Ascent 1600 box after looking at a few options. It was a little more expensive than the Yakima, but it has some nice features and worked out really well for the extra gear that just won't fit (four of us, and we don't pack light). Surprisingly little wind noise as well.

The OB was great on the drive down from the Bay Area. Lots of car eye candy around as well since the Concours d'Elegance was going on in Pebble Beach.

subiesailor · 08-24-2011, 11:14 PM

Still on the road here.
Tahoe Donner for a couple of days. Then over the pass to 395 south to 120/Tioga pass. Mid sized Thule box that fits two mt bikes on each side on a standard 52inch bar. So far we have a rock solid 30mpg! Even with the parachute effect of the bikes up top. Slower speeds play a big role in it but climbing the pass and now two trips up 120 from the west into the park and over to Glacier point hasn't phased the mileage. Still on the same tank we topped off in Tahoe! Even had to hammer it past a GMC cube/suv thing that would go from 60mph to 35mpg every time the road bent on 120 though he was happy to smash down the throttle every time we had a pass opportunity. Finally I just booted the 2.5 in the nutz on one those climbing passing zones and kept it hammered till we passed, the jerk off took it up to 70 then promptly smashed the brakes for the next bend in the road LOL. The stock OB suspension may not give you confidence in the curves but even with a load on the roof it will handle the curves OK not great but it will get the job done one step ahead of the SUV's. The 3.6 would have simply made the pass a little quicker on the same stretch.

bruce_van · 08-26-2011, 11:39 AM

The Outback is awesome for camping. I just went with some friends down to Jamala Beach, CA a few weeks ago. We're going to Big Basin in a September. Averaged 30MPG with a car full of camping equipment & firewood. Not bad.

bedarda · 11-17-2011, 09:52 AM

My Outback is great for camping. My Thule Atlantis 1600 (HumblePower ~$470 delivered), makes up for the relative compactness of the Outback. I just went to Nova Scotia , a total of 1250 miles RT. The Outback and Atlantis performed like a champ.

subydrift · 11-17-2011, 11:18 AM

The Outback really is a great car for daily drivability and camping utility! My wife and I camped in my 97 Outback all last year with no problems. This winter though I'm building a teardrop trailer to pull behind for a little more sleep space. I love my Outback!

Soon2bSubaru · 01-05-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subydrift

The Outback really is a great car for daily drivability and camping utility! My wife and I camped in my 97 Outback all last year with no problems. This winter though I'm building a teardrop trailer to pull behind for a little more sleep space. I love my Outback!

I'm doing just the opposite. I am taking delivery of my Teardrop this month and then getting an OB - looking at '08-'09 2.5i Still not sure about AT vs MT though...

subiesailor · 01-05-2012, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soon2bSubaru

I'm doing just the opposite. I am taking delivery of my Teardrop this month and then getting an OB - looking at '08-'09 2.5i Still not sure about AT vs MT though...

The older 5spd MT in the 08-09's is way more enjoyable than the old 4spd AT and if you like driving manual the 5spd MT is good. I had one for 180k and towed with it. Liked it. My new ride is the 2.5 with CVT mainly because the new 6spd MT is not as nice as the old 5spd its geared a bit taller and the new CVT had way far more potential gear ratios etc. So far hands down the new CVT is the best thing to happen to the 2.5 engine.

Had the old 5spd MT been offered in the new OB we would probably have another MT but the current 6spd MT is the only option.

jackw49 · 01-05-2012, 10:55 PM

I am going from Canada to Arizona and New Mexico in mid February for 6 to 8 weeks in my Teardrop trailer (on pictures) . Can't wait!
Toaday, I started to read "Lonely Planet" about Arizona...

08-24-2011, 05:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
jodaro Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	2011 Camping Right Away We bought our 2011 3.6 Limited last Friday, and went camping on Saturday in Big Sur. No time wasted. Definitely took some willpower to enjoy the outdoors and avoid playing with the car. (Yes, the rear door and hatch are slightly ajar) I ended up with a Thule Ascent 1600 box after looking at a few options. It was a little more expensive than the Yakima, but it has some nice features and worked out really well for the extra gear that just won't fit (four of us, and we don't pack light). Surprisingly little wind noise as well. The OB was great on the drive down from the Bay Area. Lots of car eye candy around as well since the Concours d'Elegance was going on in Pebble Beach. Attached Thumbnails

01-05-2012, 10:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
jackw49 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Albert, AB, Canada Car: OB 2011 3.6R Limited with NAV Posts: 22 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I am going from Canada to Arizona and New Mexico in mid February for 6 to 8 weeks in my Teardrop trailer (on pictures) . Can't wait! Toaday, I started to read "Lonely Planet" about Arizona... Attached Thumbnails

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08-24-2011, 11:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
subiesailor Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,671 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Still on the road here. Tahoe Donner for a couple of days. Then over the pass to 395 south to 120/Tioga pass. Mid sized Thule box that fits two mt bikes on each side on a standard 52inch bar. So far we have a rock solid 30mpg! Even with the parachute effect of the bikes up top. Slower speeds play a big role in it but climbing the pass and now two trips up 120 from the west into the park and over to Glacier point hasn't phased the mileage. Still on the same tank we topped off in Tahoe! Even had to hammer it past a GMC cube/suv thing that would go from 60mph to 35mpg every time the road bent on 120 though he was happy to smash down the throttle every time we had a pass opportunity. Finally I just booted the 2.5 in the nutz on one those climbing passing zones and kept it hammered till we passed, the jerk off took it up to 70 then promptly smashed the brakes for the next bend in the road LOL. The stock OB suspension may not give you confidence in the curves but even with a load on the roof it will handle the curves OK not great but it will get the job done one step ahead of the SUV's. The 3.6 would have simply made the pass a little quicker on the same stretch.

08-26-2011, 11:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
bruce_van Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 146 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The Outback is awesome for camping. I just went with some friends down to Jamala Beach, CA a few weeks ago. We're going to Big Basin in a September. Averaged 30MPG with a car full of camping equipment & firewood. Not bad.

11-17-2011, 09:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
bedarda Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My Outback is great for camping. My Thule Atlantis 1600 (HumblePower ~$470 delivered), makes up for the relative compactness of the Outback. I just went to Nova Scotia , a total of 1250 miles RT. The Outback and Atlantis performed like a champ.

11-17-2011, 11:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
subydrift Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 153 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The Outback really is a great car for daily drivability and camping utility! My wife and I camped in my 97 Outback all last year with no problems. This winter though I'm building a teardrop trailer to pull behind for a little more sleep space. I love my Outback!

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