MPG with Subaru Outback and Scamp 13

[John Linck]

For many and various reasons we purchased a 2015 Subaru Outback 4 cyl. Cvt. this January. We traded in our similar 2014. On the face of it this seems like a foolhardy economic choice. But for those various reasons it was a good one for us. Mostly it was the major overhaul in features that came with the 2015 model and the 27,000 miles on the older Outback. See the reviews. The car is a delight and the dealer made us a very good deal (thanks truecar.com).

You may remember my complaints about mileage on our 2014 Southwest trip with the year older Subaru towing our 13 foot Scamp. This years trip of similar distance achieved much better mpg. Subaru increased the EPA mpg from 30 to 33. They also tweaked the transmission, somehow adding torque and many other features.

Bottomline, after nearly 7000 towing miles across the plains and over countless mountains we achieved 18 mpg at an average speed of 60-65 mph. That is about 5 mpg more than last year with an older model. And the whole towing/handling experience was much better too. I am pleased.

John

[jen b]

Interesting the difference in a model year makes.

I got the 2014 Outback manual transmission last summer, and got about 19.5 average mpg driving from Philadelphia to Radisson/Chisasibi in the James Bay region, about 4,000 miles altogether (unfortunately gas prices up there meant I was still hemorrhaging cash at the gas station). I pull a 13-foot Burro, similar size to your scamp. I've been super pleased with how they work together.

[Eddie Longest]

I have a 2011 4 cyl. with CVT at 65 mph. I get about 22 mpg. pulling a Scamp 13 on flat land. I normally get about 30-32 mpg. at 65-70 mph. I got 28 mpg at 70 mph with a Thule wide cargo box on top. With a loaded 4'x8'x2' tall cargo trailer and cargo box I got 25 mpg. at 70 MPH.

[The Minimalist]

"got about 19.5 average mpg driving from Philadelphi"

At what speed? Speed makes a big difference.........and frontal area.

On my last trip, with some mountain driving I was getting 20-21 mpg in a '14 Outback 2.5i CVT. That was pulling the Little Joe, which has a somewhat smaller frontal area than the Burro.

It is difficult to make valid comparisons without specifying the variables.

Have you checked out this thread?

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...-68330-11.html

Jump to the last page to see Norm's most up to date spreadsheet. There are several Subaru's listed.

[jen b]

Originally Posted by The Minimalist

"got about 19.5 average mpg driving from Philadelphi"

At what speed? Speed makes a big difference.........and frontal area.

On my last trip, with some mountain driving I was getting 20-21 mpg in a '14 Outback 2.5i CVT. That was pulling the Little Joe, which has a somewhat smaller frontal area than the Burro.

It is difficult to make valid comparisons without specifying the variables.

Right, true...between 55 and 63 on highways, closer to 45 on the surface roads through Quebec. Terrain was constantly rolling hills.

[honda03842]

Eddie, jeb and John.

I've added your Subarus to the spreadsheet of Trailers and Tow vehucles. If you have any of the missing info post it and I'll add it.

Thank you

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...6oSPkw/pubhtml