[arthuruscg]

Hi All,

I know lots has already been written about towing with an Outback but unfortunately I still a bit confused and would welcome any advice, suggestions or opinions, about towing a utility trailer with a Subaru Outback. (My wife and I are moving ~3000 mi from Pennsylvania to Vancouver, BC and plan to buy a utility trailer to bring the minimum necessary clothing, books, furnishings)

In particular, then, a few very specific questions. Thanks in advance for your time and help.

1. Does anyone have any experience with the *real* towing capacities of a 2007 Subaru Outback (XT, MT). Factory specs say I should be able to tow 2700 lbs safely with my factory installed class I hitch, but I get nervous thinking about dragging all that weight up through the Rockies...Should I expect the smell of a burning clutch? Any advice?

2. It seems that trailers with larger wheels are more stable and probably easier to take cross country. I've found a nice 5x8 with 15" wheels, which looks more solid than the usual Walmart 12" wheel version, but of course it's heavier by ~250 lbs.). Any preferences?

3. Most trailer forums emphasize suggest strongly that a trailer over 1,000 lbs or so should be fitted with breaks, which makes sense. Anyone do this themselves and/or know the approx. cost?

4. Any advice for the, um, lead-footed among us about optimal towing speeds to keep the car in good shape?

Thanks again!

ade678

The 12" wheeled trailers will work just fine. The max weight usually is close to the OB max towing. I have 12" tires on my popup and it tows just fine from MD to FL (Walt Disney World) going down I-95.

The big thing to keep in mind is that ALL trailer tires* are rated for a max speed of 65mph.

SOA says over 1k requires brakes, it is not that hard to add them your self as long as the axle has a square mounting flange behind the tires. If it doesn't have one, then it can be welded on. Check etrailer for videos on added brakes.

Avoid an open trailer with a ramp, they function as a parasail on the highway.

*there are a few tires rated for 75mph but they are much larger tires for much heavier trailers