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retiredtravele1's avatar
retiredtravele1
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015

Anyone tow with Subaru Outback 3.6?

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.
Tow Vehicles

15 Replies

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  • kknowlton's avatar
    kknowlton
    Explorer II
    Mar 18, 2015
    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.
  • retiredtravele1's avatar
    retiredtravele1
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2015
    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.
  • Merrykalia's avatar
    Merrykalia
    Explorer II
    Mar 17, 2015
    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.
  • Fast_Mopar's avatar
    Fast_Mopar
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2015
    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.

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