2013 Subaru as Tow Vehicle
Last year I retired and purchased a 2013 Subaru 2.5i with the intention of car camping while looking for a travel trailer. The salesman at Auto Nations guaranteed me the I would be able to tow a trave...
Forum Discussion
Tystevens wrote:carringb wrote:
Putting that motor under high load continuously is a sure way to earn yourself new head gaskets much sooner than normal.
Well, it is a 2.5, so he's gonna need 'em eventually anyway!
I would also be concerned about towing w/ the CVT that this vehicle probably is equipped with. I don't know how a CVT would manage heat while towing, but I would definitely want to look into it first.
Foresters did not get a CVT until 2014, 2013 has the known bullet-proof 4-speed automatic. For towing heavy I'd look into adding a transmission cooler; the Forester already has an oil cooler. The specified oil for a 2013 Forester is 0W-20, I'd go for a 5W-30 synthetic like Mobil 1 5W-30 Extended Performance.
Here's a link to a 2012 Forester that pulled 2500 lbs: link
Another with a Forester towing 2900 lbs 1100 miles: link
Here's more Forester towing info on subaruforester.org: link
...From another Subaru owner (not towing though)
