Subaru Ascent towing 4,400 pounds

Low profile folding hard-sided; Chalet, Aliner, Trailmanor, etc. I regret selling my Trailmanor. It was 33ft long when it was opened, 26ft closed. My 98 Pathfinder pulled it beautifully and got 16 mpg. Dry - 3500lbs.

The SIL says he's going to hook it up and try pulling a long grade before he gives up on it. That, hopefully, dissuades him from using that toy as a tow vehicle. Then there's the 2-80 pound dogs, the twins, and 2 adults in a 21' trailer for a month thing they'll be dealing with. This all started because of Covid. They decided to take the opportunity to travel, with the twins being home schooled for the foreseeable future, for a month. They were tent camping before they ended up in my 5th wheel on weekend.
Yes, I offered the use of my truck and trailer. They were worried about the dogs tearing stuff up...LOL. And, yes, I offered to babysit HIS dogs. I think he might have worried the dogs wouldn't want to go home when they returned (their yard is 20'X 50'....Mine's a half acre, with wildlife galore).
Well, we'll see what happens soon.

I would probably use the WDH anyway.Maybe target 50% front axle weight restored vs. 100%. It seems lower risk to damage the receiver than running down the highway @65mph with a light front end.

We all have learn. Your SIL is no different. Pay a call on the RV salesman...”Why, son, your Subaru Ascent can pull anything on this lot!”

I'd buy a slightly lighter trailer before I'd give up using the Ascent. It's a great SUV, 277 lbs. ft. of torque, and a perfect daily driver when you're not towing (which will be the vast majority of the time).

Just my opinion.

Wife drives an Outback and it's a great car...but not designed for towing. Sure, ours says 2700lbs towing capacity, but no way would I do it. Four of us, suitcases, roof top carrier with beach stuff (and dirty laundry on way home) and you can FEEL the weight. Ours says no WDH as well.

Then again, we don't tow with it...it's a grocery getter and people mover.

Yep, the truck would be much better. Unfortunately, I don't think the specs work in the way he might think it does. The Ascent, per their website, caps out at 5,000 pounds tow capacity. If that 4,400 is GVWR, he's probably right at the limit of the ascent once loaded. If that 4,400 is dry, however, he's likely overloaded by a good 10-20%. Start talk about hitch ratings and payload and I'll bet you start finding other ratings that are out of line as well.

You're dead on - cart before the horse. Sadly, not a new or unusual tale that we hear on these board.