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09 Forester Towing Performance

34 messages,  Last post on Sep 18, 2009 at 2:55 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Towing

Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 34 09 Forester Towing Performance by SubaruSeeker

Jan 20, 2009 (10:46 pm)

Have never owned a Subaru before, but am considering new MT Forester. I live in Montana. I tow a 1,950 lb camping trailer twice/month up into Yellowstone & twice/year down to SW US, driving on interstates & 2 lane black tops in the mountains. I need help trying to evaluate if the Forester will perform OK with my trailer & the 2,400 lb towing rating. Any help, expereinces, opinions would be useful. Thanks folks.

#2 of 34 Re: 09 Forester Towing Performance [SubaruSeeker] by rsholland

Jan 21, 2009 (6:55 am)

Replying to: SubaruSeeker (Jan 20, 2009 10:46 pm)
All Subarus can only tow 1000 pounds if the trailer doesn't have trailer brakes. It's in the owner's manual. This is true for virtually every other vehicle, except full-size GM trucks and a few others like Land Rover and maybe some other European vehicles.
 
So, yeah, the Subie can "tow" 2400 pounds, it'll just have trouble "stopping" 2400 pounds if there are no trailer brakes.
 
Bob

#3 of 34 Forester towing & brakes by SubaruSeeker

Jan 21, 2009 (8:06 am)

Thanks for getting back to me. My trailer has brakes etc. so I am not concerned about that. My major question is about over all Forester performance pulling such a load. I know it is rated at 2,400 lbs towing capacity....but....Does it labor? Does it handle it reasonalbly? Does anyone have expereince with such towing?
 
Nick

#4 of 34 Re: 09 Forester Towing Performance [SubaruSeeker] by crv16

Jan 21, 2009 (8:11 am)

Replying to: SubaruSeeker (Jan 20, 2009 10:46 pm)
I've got a 2009 Forester X MT. Installed the Subaru-branded hitch myself. I tow two trailers - my 5x8 open utility trailer and a 5x10 enclosed Wells Cargo trailer.
 
Honestly, the Forester tows the big trailer better than the Honda Pilot we used to own. Sure, you feel it, but it tows it fine even at highway speeds.

#5 of 34 Re: Forester towing & brakes [SubaruSeeker] by rsholland

Jan 21, 2009 (8:16 am)

Replying to: SubaruSeeker (Jan 21, 2009 8:06 am)
Hi Nick
 
I've towed with my wife's '01 Forester automatic, and it did fine (5x8 utility trailer rated for 3K). As you may already know, in other markets Foresters and other Subies are rated to tow over 3000 pounds. Here's the spec sheet from Australia (note that the manual gearbox down there is a dual-range unit).
 
http://www.subaru.com.au/models/forester/x/wagon/specifications/all/
 
1,400 kg = 3086 lbs
 
My only concern is that you're going to be using a manual gearbox, in which I'd worry about the clutch. Automatics are generally considered better for towing. The other thing, unlike in Oz, the US-spec Forester now comes with a temp spare tire; not a good thing IMO, for towing duties. Our '01 Forester came with a full-size spare. You might consider replacing that temp tire with a full-size unit.
 
Bob

#6 of 34 Re: 09 Forester Towing Performance [crv16] by SubaruSeeker

Jan 21, 2009 (11:36 am)

Replying to: crv16 (Jan 21, 2009 8:11 am)
crv16
Thanks very much for your information.
 
I am begining to feel better about the Forester. How much wieght to you tow in your 5x10 enclosed trailer? And what distances do you tow it with weight?

#7 of 34 Re: Forester towing & brakes [rsholland] by SubaruSeeker

Jan 21, 2009 (11:41 am)

Replying to: rsholland (Jan 21, 2009 8:16 am)
rsholland
 
Thank you very much for the Australian information. That was very helpful. I am more confident about the Forester as a prospective auto.
 
What distances did you tow your utility trailer and how close to the 3 K was it when you towed?

#8 of 34 Forester AT vs MT for towing by SubaruSeeker

Jan 21, 2009 (11:45 am)

Any other thoughts out there about the preferred trans. to have in the Forester for towing?

#9 of 34 Re: 09 Forester Towing Performance [SubaruSeeker] by watkinst

Jan 22, 2009 (4:09 pm)

Replying to: SubaruSeeker (Jan 20, 2009 10:46 pm)
Have the oil cooler installed this will make things much better for the long climbs or warm days etc.
 
I have a 2001 legacy GT sedan - we've towed lots of stuff with it over the years. 2000lb towing capacity. We have a sailboat and all up weight behind the car tips in just a touch over 2000lbs. Car towed the boat fantastic stopped fine better then the old Fords we used back in the day. Only issue was outside temps vs the cooling capacity of the car. The 09 forrester has all the cooling issues addressed though I would highly recommend the added oilcooler for your towing needs. Cool cars are happy cars.
 
150,000 miles on the old subaru and still ticking. No major issues though our crap not our boat has outgrown the subaru's sherpa capability so we have an old landcruiser that hauls the boat and all the regatta junk that goes with it now.
 
Enjoy your Subaru!! I'm a first time owner and will say with no doubt our next car will be a subaru no questions about it. They aren't the fastest - the best looking but they sure take one hell of a beating and just keep going.

#10 of 34 quick note mt vs auto by watkinst

Jan 22, 2009 (4:15 pm)

We tow with the 2001 legacy GT sedan 5spd MT. Never an issue though some very steep hill starts with 2000lbs behind the car had me holding my breath- it just chugged on slow but made it. Clutch lasted 140,000 miles with heavy stop and go daily commute and the years of towing various boats all over California and the Westcoast.
 
19mpg towing the low profile 2000lb boat - 24-25mpg towing the smaller 600lb low profile sailboat.
 
The forrester would do fine though the outback would be my choice slighly larger platform slightly longer wheelbase and you get more floor space behind the back seat. Outback is just as capable as the Forrester off road except for the approach angles on the bumpers.

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