Lance 1475 on a Subrau Outback?

The biggest issue isn't even really the weight, it is the aerodynamic drag of a full height trailer. Manufactures and RV dealers don't tell you, but a 2700lb boat or flat deck is not the same as a 2700lb travel trailer. The boat has about 10percent tongue weight and very little aerodynamic drag, a travel trailer has 13-15percent tongue weight and a lot of drag. They tow very differently and the travel trailer places a lot more stress on the vehicle.

In order to keep a car and trailer moving there are two factors that the engine produces power to overcome. One, the rolling resistance of the trailer of which weight is a factor and velocity is generally not a factor. Meaning it takes XX horsepower to keep the trailer rolling no matter what speed you are going (increases as you start to go up a hill). Two, the aero drag, of which weight is not even a factor. Power to overcome aero drag goes up as a CUBIC function velocity. So to double velocity from 30 to 60mph requires 8 times as much power! This is why a full height trailer puts so much strain on a vehicle, and why everyone recommends a popup type trailer for smaller cars.

When you look at tow ratings, the boat is what they are almost always based on. Example, my Expy EL has a "max tow" rating of 8900lbs and 890lbs of tongue weight. The car and RV dealer say you can tow 8900lbs! Here is a trailer that is 8000lbs, no problem 8000 x 0.13 = 1040 tongue weigh. oops.

Good luck! I am sure you can find something you can tow, whether or not you want to spend 4 months in it with 4 dogs only you can decide. Like someone mentioned earlier, for the price of a new Lance TT, you could pick up an older class C in a length of your choice, they are plentiful on the used market, and tow the Subaru behind you.

I have an 03 LL Bean H6 outback, I think I would be OK towing my utility trailer across country at 2,200lb, but not more, I feel like it would just be to hard on the drivetrain, I towed it 2,300 miles in 3 days on a blazing trip to Boston and back to pick up a motorcycle and when I got home I felt like it was glad to stop.

With the info given so far, I'd say Class C or roof top tent.

Class C will give you the most comfort for the extended time and you'll be be to sell it after if you desire.

Roof top tent will allow you to keep the Outback, and should easily have room for 4 dogs if the right configuration is purchased. Not as easily sold afterwards though. And doesn't have the creature comforts obviously .

Only other option is to purchase a real tow vehicle, THEN shop for trailers. I love Outbacks, but they were not designed for towing.

Oooh! Sharing time :) "funny" story, how I came into my current truck.

The wife and I were headed on our first cross country trip, and her folks lent us a 5x8 utility trailer; it wasnt even full- we were picking stuff up at our destination- it had a couple bikes, a big ice chest full of frozen food and dry ice, and some other supplies.. I was too dumb to weigh it, but figured it was "oK" since it was half empty and towed "fine" in Michigan/Illinois/Iowa.

First clue should have been having to stop at EVERY single gas station we came across. Second Clue should have been the temp gauge. sigh.

Long story short, we were in the middle of nowhere wyoming when it just straight up died. Complete engine siezure. Luckily I had AAA RV Plus and the dispatcher was nice enough to say my "camping" utility trailer sounded like a camper and not a utility trailer.

Waited a couple hours in the prime heat of a summer day. Had to get towed to Fort Collins. Outback totally dead. Had to have my office manager fedex the title to the auto place, and traded them what was left in exchange for checking it out/taking it off my hands. Continued my journey in a very expensive Uhaul rental.

(super cool- AAA trip insurance ended up sending me a check for $1000 after I sent them the Uhaul receipt- highly recommended!).

the moral of the story- be careful and be conservative when it comes to the outback. don't push those numbers, especially if not on flat land. I loved that car and it sucked throwing it away.

op wrote:
I have been looking at a Lance 1475, with with a configured dry weight 2495 lbs and a configured weight of 2600 lbs. VERY close to the limit.

I see you are having your doubts but this statement is somewhat thought provoking.

You are stating the configured weight is only 105 lbs more that the dry weight. You intend to only load 105 lbs of stuff into it? A better calculation is to take the dry weight, add the cargo carrying capacity and multiply by 13% to get tongue weight. Your hitch receiver must be able to support this weight. What your vehicle can carry - payload, will be reached way before you reach your tow capacity.

Besides, the cargo capacity of the Lance is 1205 Lbs. Added to dry weight of 2495, your already at 3700 lbs - and that is if you believe the brochure weight.

Good luck.

NewEnglandScene wrote:
Hello WestEnd - that was a cool link! Her Subaru is smaller than mine. Nice to see she can tow her teardrop. Doesn't look like it has a galley, but it is a nice tent alternative. Agree with you about dog quarters. I love my dogs, but some distance is good. This 4 mo. is a golden opportunity to do something different. Don't want to waste it, even if it costs me some cash. Thanks for the link! - Charles (aka NewEnglandScene)

I think the galley is the "chuck wagon" type extension on the rear of the teardrop.
You're welcome for the link, I think she does an incredible job with her travels and photography.

Hello WestEnd - that was a cool link! Her Subaru is smaller than mine. Nice to see she can tow her teardrop. Doesn't look like it has a galley, but it is a nice tent alternative. Agree with you about dog quarters. I love my dogs, but some distance is good. This 4 mo. is a golden opportunity to do something different. Don't want to waste it, even if it costs me some cash. Thanks for the link! - Charles (aka NewEnglandScene)

Check out The Blond Coyote. She travels with a Subaru, pulling a teardrop.
I think she brings two dogs but I'd be tempted to put some kenneling in place for four dogs.

You might be limited to KOA type campgrounds as many state parks, COE etc. are closed or have limited usage such as no bathhouses in the winter.

I would suggest pricing a small Lowes/Harbor Freight type utility trailer covered with a tarp - probably between $500-1,500

Then, price a well made 6-8 person tent to go in it such as a Big Agnes or a Kodiak - probably looking at $300 - 500.

Then,add up the cost of the price of alternating a tent camping site, an occasional cabin camping rental, and an occasional motel room for four months.

That might end up being a cheaper alternative and do-able with your Outback and the dogs.

Thank you forum members for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. I am getting a s-t-r-o-n-g message that without a proper vehicle I am going to have to go an alternative route. Subaru assured me that 2700 lbs means 2700 lbs, but it appears there is more subtlety to it. Along the lines of what xteacher posted, a friend who drove tractor trailers for a living was over this afternoon an told me that articulated trailers have their own challenges that I will not be aware of until I am using one. He is pushing me to a single vehicle (class c) solution. I don't know if I will go that route, but I will be shelving the Lance option, since I have two passenger vehicles and don't want to trade either one or purchase another. I don't need to blow a transmission 1000 miles into my trip trying to prove that my Subaru really can pull 2700 lbs. Again, thank you all for weighing in. I have just 4 weeks to get it all sorted out...