Hello RV'rs!I'm new to all this and am considering a folding trailer (tenting has proven to be a challenge with our 3 and 4 year olds).I would need to pull whatever I end up buying with my 2009 Subaru Outback PZEV. The Outback website says I can max out at 2,700 LBS, but I'm thinking that is with a transmission fan and brakes on the trailor.I'm interested in the FOREST RIVER ROCKWOOD PREMIER A122S model (Dealership listing here). Can my vehicle handle this and do you have any other suggestions?Thanks in advance!Cheers,Vince

Looking at the tow rating database, you probably have the I4.I think that this could be a doable setup, especially with 1) trailer brakes 2) Transmission Cooler (if applicable), 3) Better brakes on the Subaru (Like EBC), and 4) Keeping speeds reasonable. I think in the end, you will be slightly over your "weight limits". I am not advocating to be over the limits, but what is a few pounds between friends. I have seen much worst than a Subaru that is slightly overweight.Good luck, be safe, and happy camping.

First, hello and welcome to RV.net.In everything I looked at, the 2,700 towing capacity seems to require no other equipment to be added to the Outback to reach that capacity than to ensure brakes are installed on the trailer and to obviously have a brake controller installed in the vehicle. If it is an automatic, consider a transmission cooler.Can your Outback tow the PUP in question? Probably so. But you will have to be very, very lean on what you add into it as the options and even what looks to be from the factory will drastically add up in the weight department.Water is 8.3 pounds per gallon x number of gallons, if you're carrying. That ship weight does not include 40+ pounds of battery, does not include LP tanks and if equipped, does not include air conditioner (100+ pounds). Then, you add a few items and gear and all of the sudden, you're beyond the capacity of your tow vehicle. It's not a magic number that rings an alarm or lights up a caution light. It can happen quite easily.If it were me, I would tend towards the lower end of the weight spectrum if you're going to stay with the Outback. Again, I do think it will tow the PUP if you are judicious in what you load (including the contents of the tow vehicle itself - that has to be included in the calculations). I do think you'll be searching for power when encountering slight inclines and really wishing you had more power when facing real inclines. At least that was my experience with tow vehicles that were actually rated for 3,500 pounds and the PUP was only 1,700 pounds dry.For my comfort level, I have a tow vehicle that doubles what the GVWR of the PUP is. My recommendation is to always be above, and well above if possible, the GVWR of the trailer.Knowing what I know now, I would not do it. However, I understand the desire to get something and be out camping. When towing, you have to slow down well in advance of what you are used to and drive very defensively. Keep a lot of space between you and the guy ahead of you. Where the trailer brakes really come into play is the emergency stop: when something cuts right in front of you and you will hit it if you don't stop short. People who don't tow anything think all of that space in front of you is an open invitation to dart in front of you then slow down or stop quickly in front of you.Anyway, a little more back on task...I would encourage you to get something that is within your tow vehicle's tow rating. Europe has some great cars and similar models to what's available in North America. You see some nice sedans pulling some fairly big and heavy travel trailers. I know the U.S. and Canada have slightly differing regulations as to what a given model can pull but even so, I've driven some vehicles that outclassed their towable but sure did struggle mightily to have enough power and keep the load under control.

Two adults and two children will quickly outgrow that trailer. I would suggest a regular canvas type pop up.

beemerphile1 wrote:Two adults and two children will quickly outgrow that trailer. I would suggest a regular canvas type pop up.I second that opinion. I stepped in one the other day and all I could see was wasted space above my head. I would hate to be stuck in a camper similar to this for a day or two waiting out bad weather myself....much less trying to figure out how to entertain two kids while keeping everyone from going bat@#(& stir crazy. I have a 14' highwall that pops out to be quite large, and with the 5 of us, space becomes a premium. I would suggest you rethink your choice.

Flagstaff 227MACJayco 1207Your family will be best served with a 10-12' box canvas side pop-up camper without a slide-out dinette. A camper similar to this should be somewhere around 1700-2000 lbs. Pack light and maybe consider doing a bulk of the grocery shopping when you get there...that way you should probably be OK on the weight and towing capabilities of your vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback PZEV - Hauling Options | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

xzyfsk
Explorer
Jun 05, 2014
I tow a A128s with a 152 HP 4 cylinder. Your Subaru will easily pull the camper you are looking at. It will easily tow a 10ft box tent camper too. I have had one for many years. You don't need a v8 to tow these campers. The camper you are looking at will have brakes so you will need to install a controller.
PAThwacker
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014

We used to own a 625D, and towed it with a 6100lb rated V8 mid sized SUV. I again stress 8ft pups.. I have only witnessed one subaru wagon towing an 8ft.
xteacher
Explorer
May 31, 2014
I have an a frame (Aliner Classic) and this type of camper is too small for your growing family - heck, it starts feeling too small for just my husband and me sometimes. The dinette bed only makes a spacious single, and your kids will only get bigger - fast! I would look into a traditional PUP that weighs less than this camper does. It's amazing how much "stuff" you end up taking with you, which starts adding weight before you know it.
shfd739
Explorer
May 29, 2014
Id think a Livin Lite Quicksilver 10 would be a good match for the Subie.

There was a family with one at our last rally that they pulled with a CRV and they said it was a great combo.
Dream_Girl
Explorer
May 28, 2014
To the OP,
I am sorry to disappoint you, but when it come to Pop-up, you can only safely tow a 2160lb Pop-up at the MAX (when loaded!).

Your max towing capacity is 2700lb BUT your Max Tongue Weight is only 270lb!

This detailed towing guide can explain how this MAX 2160lb number was calculated

Long story short: after doing the math (for you), you need to find a Pop-up that is in the 1000lb - 1500lb range when it is Unloaded (no gear, water and so on), so after you load it (~500lb of gear is a safe average) the Pop-up will be around the 2000lb mark.

Good Pop-up examples are (to name a few):
10FD Jay Sport ~1540lb Unloaded (Jayco 10f box)
12 Jay Sport ~1540lb Unloaded (Jayco 12f box)

Good luck.
patperry2766
Explorer II
May 28, 2014
Sure, a 8ft box would be ideal, and maybe a 12' would be pushing it to a near unsafe level, but a 10' box would work as long as packing for food/clothing/misc are taken into consideration.
PAThwacker
Explorer
May 28, 2014
NO Way! 8ft box only for that subaru.
patperry2766
Explorer II
May 28, 2014
Flagstaff 227MAC

Jayco 1207

Your family will be best served with a 10-12' box canvas side pop-up camper without a slide-out dinette. A camper similar to this should be somewhere around 1700-2000 lbs. Pack light and maybe consider doing a bulk of the grocery shopping when you get there...that way you should probably be OK on the weight and towing capabilities of your vehicle
patperry2766
Explorer II
May 28, 2014
beemerphile1 wrote:
Two adults and two children will quickly outgrow that trailer. I would suggest a regular canvas type pop up.

I second that opinion. I stepped in one the other day and all I could see was wasted space above my head. I would hate to be stuck in a camper similar to this for a day or two waiting out bad weather myself....much less trying to figure out how to entertain two kids while keeping everyone from going bat@#(& stir crazy.

I have a 14' highwall that pops out to be quite large, and with the 5 of us, space becomes a premium. I would suggest you rethink your choice.
beemerphile1
Explorer
May 28, 2014
Two adults and two children will quickly outgrow that trailer. I would suggest a regular canvas type pop up.

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2009 Subaru Outback PZEV - Hauling Options

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