Lance 1475 on a Subrau Outback?
The Subaru came first, a 2014 Outback, 2.5i. Then came the need to get out of town for 4 months, beginning this December (2016), while my house is finished. In a hot market, my existing house sold t...
Forum Discussion
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.
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.
