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
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
