Towing with Subaru?

[10sne1]

Hello,
I understand a Subaru may not be everyone’s first choice for a tow vehicle. But sometimes we need to down size boats, tow vehicles and or equipment. I’m at that stage. Who towes with a Subaru? Which model? What engine? What type boat and its weight? Thanks.
I’d hope to be towing a Crestliner 20 ft Aluminum Bay boat? Approx 2500lbs
Thanks for your constructive replies!

[Kodiak16]

I tow with a 21 Subaru Ascent. 16 foot Crestliner. about 2200 lbs. I have no issues with it. Tows smooth brakes well. I launch on a unimproved ramp that is very steep and pulls it out like its not even there, Get about 16 when towing 70-75. You will probably need a 4-6 inch drop hitch. Go with the factory hitch.
Plus your the only Subaru at the ramp.

[Rangerdeepv]

Never exceed the towing limit on the door jam or the GVWR. When involved in a crash or insurance claim this is one of the first things a sharp adjuster will look at.

[mactlman]

newer ones have a cvt with tons of issues would never tow with one

[tcesni]

Hello,
I understand a Subaru may not be everyone’s first choice for a tow vehicle. But sometimes we need to down size boats, tow vehicles and or equipment. I’m at that stage. Who towes with a Subaru? Which model? What engine? What type boat and its weight? Thanks.
I’d hope to be towing a Crestliner 20 ft Aluminum Bay boat? Approx 2500lbs
Thanks for your constructive replies!

Are you sure about the total weight of your rig? 2500 lbs. seems light for a 20 foot boat. The good news is that you are in Florida so in general hills are not an issue. So what model of Subaru are you looking at for towing? Just an FYI, I've towed with small SUVs (Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape for a 17' 6" aluminum boat) and mid-size SUVs (Ford Edge for a Ranger RT188).

[sushi520vx]

2500lbs seems very conservative. You have to factor the hull weight, trailer weight, motor weight, gear weight, full fuel additional weight, electronics etc. It adds up fast.

[61Woody]

I towed with an outback for a few years. Just a 14 welded jonboat with 25 HP Merc and front mounted TM, probably about 1100 lbs and it did OK but I wouldn't trust the cvt tranny to live a long life.

[ECobb91]

I’d have no issue towing with a Subaru Ascent which is rated at 5000lbs, even towing my boat that weighs about 3500lbs on the trailer.

I agree with the others though, 2500lbs seems very low, an 18’ tracker Targa v18 has an average weight of 3800lbs on the trailer

[n2ratfishin]

My little RT188/115 4S rig weighs 2700 pounds rolling. I don't see a 20 foot boat weighing less, especially given the size of those Crestliners.

FWIW I would not want to have a CVT anything as my primary tow vehicle. I take off on a 2000 mile pull at least once a year. But that's just me.

[10sne1]

Thanks,
my mistake. My present 1870 Triton is aluminum and #2500. May up grade to a Crestliner 2000 bay, I’ll need to look into the weight.
n2ratfishin, are you saying you use a Subaru to tow your rt188, 2000 miles yearly? Not sure if you were being facetious?
thanks

[n2ratfishin]

Thanks,
my mistake. My present 1870 Triton is aluminum and #2500. May up grade to a Crestliner 2000 bay, I’ll need to look into the weight.
n2ratfishin, are you saying you use a Subaru to tow your rt188, 2000 miles yearly? Not sure if you were being facetious?
thanks

Naw, I tow with a Tundra right now.

I have owned two Subarus in the past, but it was a long time ago. I pulled a 16' Lowe aluminum with a 40 HP on it with them at the time. Both were straight shift cars back in the late 80's. They were good little cars just not ideal for towing a 20' boat.

[CJ1]

The trans would be a no go for me in this case. CJ