subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

[capslock118]

I hate to ask this, because I am sure the response will be get the boat weighed.

but the boat is in the water and inconvenient to get out; that's my excuse and I am sticking to it

so - anyone pull a boat with a subaru outback?

My boat is a 19' open bow sea ray with a '91 mercury v6 135hp 2-stroke.

I just replaced the boats brakes from non-working drum to disc, new hydraulics, new tongue.

Boat weight according to manual is about 1700 lbs.

thoughts?

 

[brick75]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

I sure as heck wouldn't do it. I just bought an Outback, and I think the towing capacity is something like 2500lbs (and I believe that is with the V6). Once you add the trailer weight, gas, people and gear I think you would be well over the limit and have a pretty hard time keeping it under control.

 

[capslock118]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

yeah, that's what I am unsure about.

I only trailer the boat to/from the water twice per year - it's at a dock the rest of the time. So it's not so much people and gear since it has historically been myself, the vehicle, and the boat/trailer.

I see there are class II hitches for the subaru - class II is for up to 3500 lbs, so, that should be more than enough capacity I would think - but subaru seems to have very specific guidelines depending on which outback model you choose.

 

[JB]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

Yeah. I agree with Brick. Your 1700# boat (dry, without power) will be over 3,000# ready to launch.

Subies are wonderful cars. Bulletproof, economical, comfortable, etc, etc, but they are not workhorses. We have 4, three Foresters and an Outback (boxer 6). I wouldn't try to tow any load over about 1500# with any of them. I do tow a utility trailer with up to maybe 1200# with my Forester and she has to work at it and stay out of 5th gear.

You really need a working vehicle to tow that rig. Beater pickup or SUV.

 

[capslock118]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

so - i currently use my truck, it's a dodge ram 1500 4x4 v8.

That has way more power then needed for my boat.

what would be the minimum car? an escape? larger? smaller?

 

[GreenHornet763]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

Glad this question came up and to answer your question, I don't think it's worth that tranny getting shot. My family is mainly subie's, wrx's to legacy's, etc... They are great cars and what JB says, not work horses. I would definitly tow it with that dodge 1500 if you could. Leave that subie for groceries

 

[fishrdan]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

so - i currently use my truck, it's a dodge ram 1500 4x4 v8.

You have a V8 truck, so why not just keep using that? It's better suited to tow your boat than the Subaru.

Maybe I'm missing something?

 

[DaveM]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

Question: why bother towing with a car when you have a 1/2 ton Ram?

Although I could easily tow my 3000# boat with the Grand Cherokee, I choose instead to use the 1 ton Duramax. It is big, slow and made to tow.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

You have a V8 truck, so why not just keep using that? It's better suited to tow your boat than the Subaru.

Maybe I'm missing something?

especially twice a year. I might push the limits on a car for an occasional, short trip, but why if you have a truck? Maybe he's planing to sell the truck and wants to know if he's OK with what's left.

I know I pulled a 13' whaler everywhere with a Subaru stawag (c. 1980) and probably a 16' Starcraft, but only occassionally.

 

[GreenHornet763]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

im currently pulling my 14ft aluminum w/25hp on my my01 legacy wagon

 

[brick75]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

I see there are class II hitches for the subaru - class II is for up to 3500 lbs, so, that should be more than enough capacity I would think - but subaru seems to have very specific guidelines depending on which outback model you choose.

You can't let the hitch's rating determine the vehicle's capability. You have to check the vehicle's maximum tow rating which factors in how the transmission, brakes etc. will perform.

I'm guessing you're looking to get rid of your truck since that would obviously work best. But I doubt there's a "car" out there that would meet your need. In my opinion, you wouldn't want anything rated less than 3500lbs. Basically that limits you to trucks and SUV's. There are also some minivans rated at 3500lbs if equipped with a towing package (Sienna, Odyssey). I towed an 18' bowrider with a Sienna for a couple seasons. Did fine except in the mountains.

 

[capslock118]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

You have a V8 truck, so why not just keep using that? It's better suited to tow your boat than the Subaru.

Maybe I'm missing something?

Question: why bother towing with a car when you have a 1/2 ton Ram?

especially twice a year. I might push the limits on a car for an occasional, short trip, but why if you have a truck? Maybe he's planing to sell the truck and wants to know if he's OK with what's left.

That last assumption is fairly correct. There was someone on CL looking to trade their outback for a 4x4. We have a nissan versa and the truck - so - we are effectively a one car family because we don't use the truck unless absolutely necessary (like hauling the boat short distances, or house work that we do not really have anymore)

If I was able to trade the truck for something with better gas mileage so we were not tied down to one vehicle that would be splendid (if you can't imagine a one-car household, it's not the hard, but certainly not very convinient) - but if the trade cant satisfy my requirement for the boat; well that's it then.

would rather be overpowered than underpowered.

Basically that limits you to trucks and SUV's. There are also some minivans rated at 3500lbs if equipped with a towing package (Sienna, Odyssey)

and there it is...

 

[H20Rat]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

Subies are wonderful cars. Bulletproof, economical, comfortable, etc, etc, but they are not workhorses. We have 4, three Foresters and an Outback (boxer 6). I wouldn't try to tow any load over about 1500# with any of them.

Glad this question came up and to answer your question, I don't think it's worth that tranny getting shot. My family is mainly subie's, wrx's to legacy's, etc... They are great cars and what JB says, not work horses

My workhorse begs to differ! This boat is 1500 pounds without fluids/trailer, so you can take your guesses as to what it is loaded... I also tow thousands of miles a year with sleds behind. (as well as various utility trailers, pwc, and a popup camper)

And in 120k miles, I haven't replaced a single non-maintenance item. Engine/trans/turbo are all untouched, and only have replaced the front brakes once. (not bad for a 300+hp sports car that is not driven lightly!) I've owned her since about 20k, and had a hitch bolted up within a week of getting her.

So anyway, you can probably guess my opinion. You are perfectly safe and legal to tow that, especially if you are only doing it twice a year. The only caveat is if you have an outback with a CVT. No towing with that rig...

 

[americaneagler77]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

lol now that above me is funny

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: subaru outback 4cyl awd - towing a boat?

I would be worried about the Tranny getting hot and blowing it. Don't know how far you have to go but if its only a couple times a year it might be cheaper just to rent a uhaul/truck.