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09 Forester Towing Performance

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

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Towing

Messages Page 2 of 4

#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.

#11 of 34 by crv16

Jan 26, 2009 (8:47 am)

The only problem I see with the Forester MT and towing are the gear ratios, especially in reverse. Clutch out speed in reverse at idle has the car going faster than I'm comfortable while backing up a trailer, thus I need to slip the clutch the whole way back.
 
I've towed anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 lbs (total weight, trailer + cargo). Again, no problems towing that amount of weight.

#12 of 34 Re: [crv16] by rsholland

Jan 26, 2009 (8:57 am)

Replying to: crv16 (Jan 26, 2009 8:47 am)
...Which is why I wish they would bring back over here the dual-range 5-speed manual tranny, which has a gear reduction ratio of only 1.196:1, which (I believe) can be shifted on the fly. This would be great for those of us who tow. It's offered on Foresters, and some other Subies, sold in many other markets.
 
Same with the self-leveling rear suspension; bring it back over here, as it would be great for those who tow.
 
Bob

#13 of 34 Re: [rsholland] by paisan

Jan 26, 2009 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (Jan 26, 2009 8:57 am)
Not to put a spoiler on the "but the Forester over seas can tow more" arguement, but to be honest, there is not only a "capability or legal" issue here. Overseas the roads generally speaking are not in nearly as good of a condition as here. Travelling distances and elevation changes are different and therefore the limits are adjusted. For example in the UK you generally are not going to be towing your trailer at 70-80mph for hours at a time. Your emergency proceedures in the UK may be at 40-50mph in a less populated road. So keep this in mind when we bring up the "but overseas, XYZ vehicle has a higher towing capacity". This isn't just a Subaru thing I see the overseas arguement in just about every vehicle towing forum.
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#14 of 34 Re: [rsholland] by paisan

Jan 26, 2009 (6:35 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (Jan 26, 2009 8:57 am)
#12 of 13 Re: [crv16] by rsholland Jan 26, 2009 (10:57 am)
Replying to: crv16 (Jan 26, 2009 7:47 am)
 
...Which is why I wish they would bring back over here the dual-range 5-speed manual tranny, which has a gear reduction ratio of only 1.196:1, which (I believe) can be shifted on the fly. This would be great for those of us who tow. It's offered on Foresters, and some other Subies, sold in many other markets.
  
Same with the self-leveling rear suspension; bring it back over here, as it would be great for those who tow.
  
Bob
 
I agree on the self-leveling. I have them on my Armada and they are great. I wouldn't hold my breathe on a 5MT anything, let alone a dual-range gear box showing up. If anything look for the MTs to be going away, as we have seen in the Turbo Forester.
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#15 of 34 Re: [paisan] by rsholland

Jan 27, 2009 (8:15 am)

Replying to: paisan (Jan 26, 2009 6:35 pm)
I don't expect the dual-range tranny showing up any time soon either; just wish it would...
 
Bob

#16 of 34 Re: [paisan] by rsholland

Jan 27, 2009 (8:32 am)

Replying to: paisan (Jan 26, 2009 6:31 pm)
I spent 3 weeks driving in the UK a while back, covering roads from Lands End in the south up through Wales and Scotland in the north. I was on country roads with shrubbery inches from the car (no shoulders on the roads) as well as the high-speed motorways (with people splitting lanes while passing you with oncoming traffic).
 
Yes, it's far more "challenging" to drive over there, than it is here, for a variety of reasons well beyond what you stated. Therefore it's even more confusing to me as to why their trailer tow limits are so much higher than they are here. If anything—because of the more difficult driving conditions—the trailer tow limits should be less than those found here, but that's not the case.
 
Bob

#17 of 34 by crv16

Feb 02, 2009 (11:25 am)

The Forester just needs a lower ratio reverse gear. Does one really need the ability to go 30mph in reverse?

#18 of 34 Just for reference by ateixeira

Feb 03, 2009 (2:38 pm)

My 1998 model towed well, even well above the 1000 lbs limit sans trailer brakes.
 
If you have a trailer with brakes you may need an adaptor, but I think you'll be fine at under 2000 lbs even for good distances.
 
Remember folks, the OP is only towing 1950 lbs, with trailer brakes.

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