I know this thread is mostly about trucks, but I figure I'd ask. I'm looking to downsize my Xterra to a new Subaru Outback 3.6, rated at 3000 lbs towing. At same time, I would downsize my pup to something that would max out at 2200 lbs. Anyone have any experience using this as a tow vehicle. I don't know if I will have any issues with an AWD car towing as opposed to my RWD SUV now. Any thoughts, good or bad, are appreciated. We're not going to be doing as much camping as the past which is the reason for the downsizing. One concern --- I would be at the max (200)hitch weight. Will a WD hitch solve that, or is this a repair waiting to happen? I've been towing pup for 10 years, so I understand towing, in general, but don't know potential issues for towing with a crossover rather than a truck. Thanks.

If all you do is follow the published ratings, the XTerra is a better tow vehicle. However, I am sure if you towed the same trailer with both vehicles, you will find the AWD Outback to be superior. The 3.6 has good power, and Outback is a more stable platform with a longer wheelbase and lower center of gravity than the XTerra. Many will disagree, but I am sure the real-world experience will be great with the 3.6 Outback.

It sounds like you have a decent set up now, why the downsize?

We used to tow with our Subaru, but that's been many years ago. I think it was a 1995 model and we had a medium size (10' box) popup. It worked fine, had great control of the vehicle and the pup. We had a great time taking that little camper to the beach, just for a weekend trip about every month. (That was before the 2nd round of kids). Our son had just graduated from high school and headed to college, we were empty-nesters. Once the girls arrived, the pup was too much loading/unloading and we upsized.

colliehauler wrote:It sounds like you have a decent set up now, why the downsize? We're ready to trade in Xterra. Since we're not going to do the camping we used to, we want a better gas mileage vehicle for regular use, and we do not need an SUV or truck. Camping is secondary use at this point. As far as pup, we want a 10 ft Viking/Clipper as they're easier to crank up, have no poles to support bed ends, eliminate slide out, make it all easier to setup/takedown. Plenty of room for two of us.

Our Forester came with a hitch but it's the smaller size, and most popups we've seen have the larger square hitch. You might want to check on what hitches are available, and if you got a non-factory-installed one, would there be any effect on the car's warranty. I think you might find that a Subaru w/o turbo might strain a little at towing even a popup, but it might be ok for your needs.

Anyone tow with Subaru Outback 3.6? | Good Sam Community

Lessmore
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2015
RCMAN46 wrote:
I tow a 12 ft 2200 lb utility trailer with my 2012 3.6R outback.

I did add a transmission cooler to the 5EAT transmission and monitor the engine and transmission temperatures with a Scan Gauge.

The 3.6R has more power than the cooling system can handle. More power than needed to climb hills at 65 or posted speed limits.

I watch temperatures and back off when transmission gets beyond 250.

I have towed over 12,000 miles with no problem other than having to watch temperature. I have keep accurate hand calculated mpg's and when towing I have an overall average of 20 mpg.

I do have trailer brakes on the utility trailer. I do not recommend towing any trailer with a car without trailer brakes.

I have no knowledge about the new CVT transmissions. I got the 3.6R in 2012 mainly for the 5EAT and very happy with the Outback.

I have also used the Outback off road in SE Arizona and found it a very capable off road vehicle. It will go with the jeeps except when more than 8 inches of ground clearance is needed.

To begin with I like the Subaru Outback with the 3.6L flat six engine.

Considered this make/model/engine a short time ago when we were in the market for a new vehicle. Didn't get it.

I think your assessment, based on real world ownership is excellent.

However, I wonder if you could expand on this statement:

"The 3.6R has more power than the cooling system can handle."

I can see this happening as there is a lot of machinery underhood and adequate....or in the case of towing...more than adequate cooling is a very real concern.
RCMAN46
Explorer
Mar 19, 2015
"The 3.6R has more power than the cooling system can handle."

By this statement it is common for cars to make 250 hp such as the 3.6R for short periods of time. But in the case of the 3.6R it can not make this kind of horsepower for long due to a cooling system that is not designed for continuous operation at high horsepower.

You have the horsepower to pass and for short grades. But with long grades as we have out west you run out of cooling capacity while still having horsepower left.

I have only had to back down the power a couple times.

Also uni-body cars are not designed to handle the stress on the uni-body that a WD system will exert.

The tongue weight limit is due to the uni-body and not the trailer hitch.
Lessmore
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2015
Thanks for the clarification on the 3.6 liter cooling issue RCMAN46.

Les
retiredtravele1
Explorer
Mar 19, 2015
".....Also uni-body cars are not designed to handle the stress on the uni-body that a WD system will exert.

The tongue weight limit is due to the uni-body and not the trailer hitch......".

Oh, oh. That was part of my original question. I'm looking at a tongue weight at just about 200. That is what the Subaru is rated at. I figured I would get a WD to ensure I had no problems.
Or, is THAT going to be a problem????
bikendan
Explorer
Mar 19, 2015
retiredtraveler wrote:
".....Also uni-body cars are not designed to handle the stress on the uni-body that a WD system will exert.

The tongue weight limit is due to the uni-body and not the trailer hitch......".

Oh, oh. That was part of my original question. I'm looking at a tongue weight at just about 200. That is what the Subaru is rated at. I figured I would get a WD to ensure I had no problems.
Or, is THAT going to be a problem????

YEP!

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