Can My Subaru Tow My boat?

[Seaman84]

I have a 2007 Tribeca B9 Limited Suv It's a 3.0L v6 with 245 hp 5 spd Auto with traction wheels, Towing capacity is 3,500
With the towing pckg and a tranny cooler All factory installed, Would it be able to tow my new boat which is a 2004 Glastron sx195 v8 5.0 Volvo penta 19ft, with a wakeboard tower and a dry weight of 2,500 plus the trailer, which I don't know how much that weight's

Do you think I will have trouble? My nearest lake is elephant butte NM, And it's about an 1hr 30 min Drive Slight hills But mainly straight road, The boat ramp is slightly steep Not much, But what are your opinions? Will I have trouble??

 

[250Gimp]

Re: Can My Subaru Tow My boat?

I'll bet you will be close to, or over, max towing capacity with trailer, fuel, and accessories. I'll bet the waketower isn't included in that dry weight either.

That will work the vehicle harder than intended by the manufacturer.

I would hesitate, but its your vehicle....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Can My Subaru Tow My boat?

Add fuel, gear, adult beverages, etc and you will be at, very near, or a little over the lmiit. Towing is one thing. Stopping is quite another. Accident avoidance with a load like that becomes a tail wagging the dog scenario. If you are a very experienced driver with a boat in tow then you will probably get by. But as I said, this has the potential to be a problem from a safety as well a mechanical concern regarding the vehicle. Getup up the ramp should not be a problem.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Can My Subaru Tow My boat?

how much towing experience do you have? The trib is certainly capable of towing more, 3500 is a conservative rating on it. (in countries where people have actual driver education, the tribeca is rated at 5000 pounds)

I've done a fair share of wrenching on subaru's and some on the tribeca. The brakes are more than up to the task, and the h6 engine puts out lots of low end torque. Even though its a unibody vehicle, subaru uses subframe construction, and joins up the subframes with isolation dampers. (and you can lock the subframes together to form a body-on-frame vehicle, although your noise level goes up quite a bit) In other words, I'd probably go for it.

 

[jkust]

Re: Can My Subaru Tow My boat?

Think it will tow just fine but you may not stop or emergency maneuver just fine. The steepness of the ramp will be the least of any possible issues you will have. I've lived this situation first hand with my 4000lb boat/trailer with of all vehicles a fwd, really low hp minivan prior to wising up and owning several v8, 4wd suv's. Stopping and emergency maneuvers along with dead stop starts were my biggest issue. Hard to fathom a 19 foot boat with a heavy v8 only weighing 2500lbs dry. It must really fly.

 

[JB]

Re: Can My Subaru Tow My boat?

I think you will be okay, provided you have good, working brakes on the trailer.

 

[dave11]

Re: Can My Subaru Tow My boat?

That 3500# rating may require you to have trailer brakes. The Outback has a 1000#. It is 3000# if you put brakes on the trailer. Check your manual.

 

[SteelNuttz]

Re: Can My Subaru Tow My boat?

Sell your boat if the nearest lake is an hour and a half from where you live...

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Can My Subaru Tow My boat?

You will be most likely at or a little over the limit. Brakes on the trailer and an additional tranny cooler would be minimum requirements for me to move forward with this.