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Towing with a Forester

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#62 of 97 Re: Forester to tow an RV trailer? [postymcgee] by aatherton Dec 13, 2007 (5:00 pm)
Replying to: postymcgee (Dec 04, 2007 11:25 am) "... Does having all-wheel drive make a difference?"   Only in terms of traction. Maybe not so important with an RV trailer. With our 2000 lb boat on a compact pickup truck, there were several ramps that I declined to use for lack of traction.   If the ramp was steep, and the water's edge was covered with mud or algae, then the tires would spin on pull out. If the boat was pulled partly out of the water, and the tires were spinning with no hold, the boat would try to return to the water, pulling the truck back with it. By the time the boat was buoyant again and stopped pulling, the rear of the truck could be pretty deep in the water. This spinning and loss of forward motion began to happen a couple of times, and so I just avoided such ramps.   With 4WD or the Forester's AWD in 50/50 mode, this would not happen.
#63 of 97 Re: Forester to tow an RV trailer? [xwesx] by xtop Dec 13, 2007 (5:40 pm)
Replying to: xwesx (Dec 10, 2007 1:45 pm) I am constantly aware of the effect the trailer has on handling and braking. Thanks for your concern.
#64 of 97 Re: Forester to tow an RV trailer? [paisan] by xtop Dec 13, 2007 (5:54 pm)
Replying to: paisan (Dec 13, 2007 3:27 pm) The trailer in question has mechanical surge brakes and they do work very well as we have found after two recent trips. The tow rating for the manual transmission Subaru is 2400 lbs. A transmission cooler for a manual transmission is rather difficult as some sort of pump must be added to circulate the lubricant through the cooler. Ordinary manual transmissions use splash lubrication and have no internal oil pumps. We have the turbocharged Subaru and probably the greatest problem we have found is that under heavy load the turbo cuts in and the mileage goes way down to 12-13. On a flat land trip, towing, with little or no wind it stays up around 16-17. We will accept this until we look into something with a bit more reserve power. The options are: drive the Subaru and get 24-27 on the highway when unladen, 12-17 when towing or trade up to something larger that gets 18-21 unladen and 15-16 when towing. Sounds like we will stay with Subaru. The new Forester will warrant a look when it comes out in a few years. I am told that it will grow in size a bit. We will see when it arrives. We do love our Forester XT. Replies to this message: paisan (Dec 13, 2007 6:04 pm) p0926 (Dec 14, 2007 7:57 am) rsholland (Dec 14, 2007 8:04 am) rsholland (Dec 13, 2007 6:04 pm) aatherton (Dec 16, 2007 1:41 pm)
#65 of 97 Re: Forester to tow an RV trailer? [xtop] by paisan Dec 13, 2007 (6:04 pm)
Replying to: xtop (Dec 13, 2007 5:54 pm) Yeah I think we were assuming it had an AT when we suggested a tranny cooler. I would upgrade to Synthetic gear lube in the trans and diffys.   The new forester is out will be arriving here in Feb IIRC. Larger but powerplants will likely stay similar.   -mike Replies to this message: p0926 (Dec 14, 2007 7:57 am) rsholland (Dec 14, 2007 8:04 am)
#66 of 97 Re: Forester to tow an RV trailer? [xtop] by rsholland Dec 13, 2007 (6:04 pm)
Replying to: xtop (Dec 13, 2007 5:54 pm) The new Forester will warrant a look when it comes out in a few years. I am told that it will grow in size a bit.   A few years? It will debut in Japan on Christmas, and here at the Detroit Auto Show next month. It should be in dealers this spring, or so the rumor goes.   But this should tickle your interest:   http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/3888   Bob
#67 of 97 Re: Forester to tow an RV trailer? [paisan] by p0926 Dec 14, 2007 (7:57 am)
Replying to: paisan (Dec 13, 2007 6:04 pm) Yeah I think we were assuming it had an AT when we suggested a tranny cooler   Ditto. I've also got a MT XT but towing is the one exception where I think an AT makes more sense. I about burned out the clutch trying to back a loaded Uhaul trailer up a narrow driveway   -Frank Replies to this message: rsholland (Dec 14, 2007 8:04 am)
#68 of 97 Re: Forester to tow an RV trailer? [p0926] by rsholland Dec 14, 2007 (8:04 am)
Replying to: p0926 (Dec 14, 2007 7:57 am) I couldn't agree more Frank. I think towing with a manual tranny Subaru (or any car), you're just asking for trouble. Towing with a manual in HD trucks, that's a different story, as those manual trannys and clutches are designed for that kind of abuse.   Bob
#69 of 97 Subaru Clutches by xtop Dec 14, 2007 (8:27 am)
They can be delicate and they do start smelling of burnt lining quickly. We will see what happens over time. Good automatics are better for towing, I agree. I could probably have two clutches put in for the cost in initial purchase and gas mileage with the automatic, however.   We will find out next summer.   Fred
#70 of 97 Re: Forester to tow an RV trailer? [aatherton] by xwesx Dec 14, 2007 (11:25 am)
Replying to: aatherton (Dec 13, 2007 6:44 am) Yes, it is a whole different form of driving when you are pulling a heavy trailer without brakes. I have pulled trailers weighing anywhere from 800# to over 12000# without trailer brakes (these were all trailers with electric brakes or no brakes, and I do not have an electric brake controller on my '69 C20), and anything that weighs more than about 1500# noticeably impacts the handling and response of the truck. The manual transmission performs superbly, though.... It still has the original clutch after 38 years and 72,000 miles!
#71 of 97 Re: Forester to tow an RV trailer? [xtop] by aatherton Dec 16, 2007 (1:41 pm)
Replying to: xtop (Dec 13, 2007 5:54 pm) "... We have the turbocharged Subaru and probably the greatest problem we have found is that under heavy load the turbo cuts in and the mileage goes way down to 12-13. ..."   Seems almost abusive and a terrible price to pay in terms of wear and fuel cost. The XT is not a Cummins. The XT's turbo must be designed for bursts of acceleration rather than steady towing. That was one of the reasons I chose the NA automatic LL Bean for towing.

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