Mitsubichi outlander V6

IMHO, if you're right on the very edge with either your tow vehicle or trailer, don't do it. You have absolutely no room for error at that point. You're likely not as able to control in an emergency and you'll be replacing your Mit before you know it.

My cousin, a former airplane owner, sold his plane and got into RVing when, according to his DW, they had to weigh the potato chips before taking off. OR, the popular expression by one on both this forum and Hybrid Explorer, "I can pull my 23SS with my garden tractor, but it doesn't mean I should". Take your choice, either apply. You don't have a good, safe combo.

RinconVTR wrote:

westend wrote:

RinconVTR wrote:
If you can or would pull it with a mini-van, you can pull it with the Outlander.

And you know this how...?

The V6 is rated to two 3500lbs, not 1500lbs as the 4cy is rated.

I've used one to pull a loaded 3 place ATV trailer all of 2 times, for about 40 miles. Not a ton of miles, I get that. But its enough to say the Outland can pull 3500lbs without white knuckles.

Yeah I would agree its on the bottom of the list for tow vehicle options, but don't go telling the OP not to do it at all. Help the guy out.

Yes, we have the new 2015 model weight ratings stated a number of times. I was wrong, you were right.

I thought I was helping the guy out. IMO, towing a travel trailer that weighs 3000 lbs. with this vehicle is going to be a problem.

I've stated the reasons why: the way the rear suspension is comprised. Until Mitsubishi does way with the goofy sub-frame carrier and multi link suspension, my opinion remains. This compilation relies on the shifting of axle declination beyond the actual loading of the springs and shocks. The torque is then borne onto the other two axle links and sway bar, all of which are supported by rubber bushings. There is even a rubber travel stop on top of the sub frame carrier that contacts the bottom of the differential. In essence, any weight added to the rear of the vehicle beyond,say, 250 lbs. is then using the differential and drivehaft as part of the active suspension.

I've owned, repaired, and maintained an Outlander, mostly driven by my wife for commuting. In that role, especially in the Snow Belt, it shines. The MIVEC 4 and the implementation of the AWD is very good. It is just not built for carrying any appreciable weight.

I'm just about done commenting on towing weights on this Forum. The only reason I usually do it is because there is a propensity of folks that are amateurs to towing and want to use a vehicle incapable of handling the weight of the trailer. Besides it being a recipe for damaging their ever-more-expensive vehicle, it's also a safety issue. My family is on the road, too.

westend wrote:

RinconVTR wrote:
If you can or would pull it with a mini-van, you can pull it with the Outlander.

And you know this how...?

The V6 is rated to two 3500lbs, not 1500lbs as the 4cy is rated.

I've used one to pull a loaded 3 place ATV trailer all of 2 times, for about 40 miles. Not a ton of miles, I get that. But its enough to say the Outland can pull 3500lbs without white knuckles.

Yeah I would agree its on the bottom of the list for tow vehicle options, but don't go telling the OP not to do it at all. Help the guy out.

patperry2766 wrote:
According to Mitsibushi's website, the 2015 model the GT-S AWC is the only model that comes with a V-6 and does have a 3500 lb tow capacity with a 350lb tongue weight.

However, published specs don't always equate with reality. We have a 2009 Ford Escape V-6 with the 3500 lb factory tow package . Just bringing our trailer home from the dealership demonstrated the inadequacies of published specs vs real world towing performance.

While it probably would have been fine if we weren't going more that 50 miles from home on flat terrain, it might have temporarily worked, but I was due for a vehicle upgrade anyway so we I got a truck to resolve the issue and save the undue wear and tear on the Ford.

A lot of the towing specs just throw out a #, but don't factor in the frontal area of the trailer in the towing considerations. Our trailer is a highwall pop-up, so with the height of the A/C, it actually was taller that the tow vehicle.

If you're dead set with getting a trailer to pull with this vehicle, I would suggest a pop-up in the 2000lb range. Trailmanor is reviving the Hi-Lo concept with a new trailer called Rise, but I don't think they're in production yet.

Since westend owns one, I would listen to what he has to say.

You're right, the 2015 GTS-AWC is rated for 3500, my bad. If Mitsubishi has changed the sub frame and the multilink suspension, it may just be doable. I don't know the construction of the 2015 GTS-AWC but I'm assuming there is just so much they can do with the chassis.

Previous models were all identical underneath and even with anecdotal success stories, I wouldn't try it. This is coming from someone that once put nearly 2 pallets of block in the back of a Mazda B2200. I have stretched the limits but the Outlander is not a towing/hauling rig, IMO.

xteacher wrote:
... Also, remember you have to stop the thing, not just pull it...

The trailer should have brakes to stop itself. At 85% towing capacity, the OP shouldn't even consider pulling a trailer without brakes.

OP - I don't have a Outlander, but from what I read on the internet about others experience it's feasible. Here's a link to another forum where a user shares his experience. I would heed Westend's warning since he knows what he's talking about. That same warning is shared in the link by other owners.

Link

According to Mitsibushi's website, the 2015 model the GT-S AWC is the only model that comes with a V-6 and does have a 3500 lb tow capacity with a 350lb tongue weight.

However, published specs don't always equate with reality. We have a 2009 Ford Escape V-6 with the 3500 lb factory tow package . Just bringing our trailer home from the dealership demonstrated the inadequacies of published specs vs real world towing performance.

While it probably would have been fine if we weren't going more that 50 miles from home on flat terrain, it might have temporarily worked, but I was due for a vehicle upgrade anyway so we I got a truck to resolve the issue and save the undue wear and tear on the Ford.

A lot of the towing specs just throw out a #, but don't factor in the frontal area of the trailer in the towing considerations. Our trailer is a highwall pop-up, so with the height of the A/C, it actually was taller that the tow vehicle.

If you're dead set with getting a trailer to pull with this vehicle, I would suggest a pop-up in the 2000lb range. Trailmanor is reviving the Hi-Lo concept with a new trailer called Rise, but I don't think they're in production yet.

Since westend owns one, I would listen to what he has to say.

..... and your Outlander is a smaller vehicle. You're only 500 lb. under the limit.

Not correct. The published towing weight limit is 1500 lbs., 150 lbs tongue weight. The OP want's to haul double that, 3000 lbs. BTW, this vehicle does not come stock with a hitch or hitch receiver.

Please don't do it! I towed a PUP successfully years ago with a Mitsu Endeavor (3500 lb. tow limit). I wouldn't tow a TT with one, and your Outlander is a smaller vehicle. You're only 500 lb. under the limit. Your transmission won't last long. Also, remember you have to stop the thing, not just pull it. A TT is like pulling a sail into the wind. Also, take your vehicle's tongue weight limit into account. Even with a WDH, you're likely to be over its limit.

This may not be scientific, but it's worked for me for years: I take 1000 lb. right off the top of my tow limit when towing a TT to account for the wind drag. I currently pull a 2705 lb. TT, 315 tongue weight, with a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, with a WDH - 6000 lb. tow limit. I can feel it behind me, and wouldn't feel comfortable towing more than 3500 lb. with it - and it's built on a Frontier (truck) chassis...

jerem0621 wrote:
3500 lbs towing with the V6 and it can hold 7 passengers... though not at the same time.

Why can't the suspension handle towing?

Maybe not a monster travel trailer but up to its ratings... no problem.

Thanks!

Jereimah

Hey Jeremiah,
Yes, what you're relating is the weights for a minivan, the Outlander is rated to tow 1500 and I wouldn't do it.

Here's why: the Outlander has a multilink suspension in the rear and the way it's built, the rear lateral links are set at the factory and the bushings used won't support hardly the weight of the vehicle, let alone any weight on a hitch. Putting a lot of weight either as cargo in the rear or on a hitch, moves those rear lateral arms to the end of their travel. After that the weight on the rear is taken up by the other two linking arms and the bushings for those are as bad as the rear arms, just no kind of weight support on a piece of rubber. The OP or anyone else is free to try towing with that vehicle but I wouldn't suggest it. Last year, I replaced all of the linking arms and bushings in my Outlander. They had either seized or fallen apart. The suspension in this vehicle is definitely one of it's weak points, especially the rear.

The good news is that the Outlander is one of the best, if not the best, I've driven on ice and snow.