Well, we went to NC from VA (about 3 hours drive) and picked up our new (used) 1999 16'Scamp. We stayed in NC overnight, just for fun. We wanted to play with our new (used) camper and see how everything works.
I'm glad to be able to tell you that the Subie did great. It had no problems towing the 16'
Scamp. The engine really only felt the extra load it on acceleration. There was an impact on gas mileage, but performance up hills was fine. At 60mph in 4th gear, the RPMs stayed centered on 3000, and we still had plenty of power left for emergencies. Braking was smooth and controlled, even thru turns.
We packed everything with a thought toward keeping the load low and centered on the trailer
axle. The tongue
weight was 195lbs, right at the manufacurer's limit, but the car handled it just fine. The rear suspension only sagged about 2 inches or so when the tongue was lowered, which put the tongue at an almost perfect height for good balance. We used a ball mount with 5"rise in order to get as close as possible to the recomended tongue height, but that's the only adaptation we used.
We left the
battery on the tongue and grey water and fresh water in the tanks and the kitchen wares in the cabinets. We had groceries, bedding, clothes and camping gear also, so the trailer was fully loaded. Yet, we had no problems with sway or bucking. The car road a little rougher than usual on one stretch in NC where the road was rough. But, there was never any time that the car felt out of control or the steering sluggish, it was just a little bumpier than normal.
All I can say is that Subaru sure makes a tough little car.