Towing With A Subaru 2.5l

pauldub wrote:
I'm not sure how you're going to drive I-15 from California to Washington, maybe you mean I-5. You'll have to go over the mountains in northern California on I-5. I'd be a bit concerned after reading the owner's manual for your 2019 Subie.

Here's one quote: SUBARU warranties do not apply to
vehicle damage or malfunction caused by
trailer towing.

Here's another quote that isn't encouraging: When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an outside temperature of 104F (40C) or above Maximum total trailer weight 1,350 lbs (612 kg)

I didn't think I needed to explain how you get to Washington from the I-15 but just to let you know it connects with the I-90. I am leasing the car so if the trans takes a ****, its theirs not mine. It came with a tow package so it must mean you can tow with it under 2700lbs. As long as you can prove that you are under that, then the language means nothing. I think I'm safe at 1100 lbs

carringb wrote:
Well good luck with yours. The belt hasn't substantially changed, so call me a skeptic. I have little desire to drive something so underpowered anyways. I was considering a crosstek before my Focus, but I couldn't tolerate how slow it is.

So you really want to compare a Ford _uckus to Subaru outback? Go right ahead but this post was not about that. From what I can see from others is that it won't really hurt anything to tow occasionally with this platform. I thin k I'll stick with those opinions

pauldub wrote:
I'm not sure how you're going to drive I-15 from California to Washington, maybe you mean I-5. You'll have to go over the mountains in northern California on I-5. I'd be a bit concerned after reading the owner's manual for your 2019 Subie.

Here's one quote: SUBARU warranties do not apply to
vehicle damage or malfunction caused by
trailer towing.

Here's another quote that isn't encouraging: When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an outside temperature of 104F (40C) or above Maximum total trailer weight 1,350 lbs (612 kg)

Subaru is telling you up front that their vehicle is so marginal as a tow vehicle that they won't warranty any damage that may result.

I'm not sure how you're going to drive I-15 from California to Washington, maybe you mean I-5. You'll have to go over the mountains in northern California on I-5. I'd be a bit concerned after reading the owner's manual for your 2019 Subie.

Here's one quote: SUBARU warranties do not apply to
vehicle damage or malfunction caused by
trailer towing.

Here's another quote that isn't encouraging: When towing a trailer on a long uphill grade continuously for over 5 miles (8 km) with an outside temperature of 104F (40C) or above Maximum total trailer weight 1,350 lbs (612 kg)

Well good luck with yours. The belt hasn't substantially changed, so call me a skeptic. I have little desire to drive something so underpowered anyways. I was considering a crosstek before my Focus, but I couldn't tolerate how slow it is.

carringb wrote:

GeoBoy wrote:

carringb wrote:
The platform should not cause any issues, but I sure would't want to tow anything with a belt-drive CVT like Subaru has. Just driving on steep roads can cause it to overheat and go into limp mode, and it's pretty ugly when the belt explodes.

Do you have any personal experience with a Subaru CVT transmission, slipping or breaking?

See the quote from the owner's manual that Chris Bryant posted.

The TFL vidoes on the Subaru show their going into limp mode attempting Gold Mine Hill. There's plenty of anecdotal info you can find with a quick search. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jensen/2017/07/07/facing-complaints-subaru-offers-extended-warranties-on-1-5-million-vehicles/#1c1504c879dc

Did you actually read this article and my post? I said I have a 2019 which the article you provided doesn't come close, only up to 2015 issues. Then the company extended the warranty for those folks. Mine has a 5yr/100,000 mi warranty on the drive train. I think the issue is covered my friend and though you were correct that there have been issues, that ended 4 model years ago so then you make it sound that they are all bad. Thanks for your help but not only does a little searching help as you mentioned, so does paying attention

Again my goal is to be able to tow a small trailer and load of about 1100 lbs total from Washington State to Southern Cal desert and back again, 1500 miles each way. Mostly flat driving on the I-15 but I do know what to do with the manual mode downshifting for grades. Suspension was something I wanted to know about and how bad it might lug, but by the comments received, I think we will be alright.

I have an Outback 3.6L and have towed about 2500 pounds with it. It tows very well, but I do use the (fake) manual gears to keep engine speed up and CVT ratio fixed. If the power is acceptable, then the vehicle is plenty capable of towing 1500 pounds.

You may want to invest in a transmission cooler.

Stay under your max weight and payload...you’ll be fine.

I was just helping a friend with a Forester look into options. I had some trouble looking up HIS exact vehicle. It seems there is a bit of variation depending on model, etc. so do a VIN check or whatever you need to to be sure you are researching accurately. His payload was impressive @ 900# (only 200# less than another friend at the campground with a Ram 1500 but that's a whole other story :))

The pulling power of the Subaru is by far the limiting factor. I think we figured he was good up to about 2000# total in the vehicle and trailer so he was looking for roughly 1500# loaded tear-drops and popups. There are some good options at that weight.