Quote:
Originally Posted by DougOlson
I am looking at getting a Scamp 16' standard to tow with my 2008 Subaru Forester, rated at 2400# trailer GVW (200# tongue) with the Subaru installed Class I hitch (2000# rating). Since the dry weight of Scamp 16 is somewhat below the Class I ratings but most people find towing weights closer to the 2400# limit on my Forester, I was just wondering if people have replaced the Subaru Class I hitch with a Class II hitch (3500# rating). Comments and thoughts welcome. Thanks.
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Doug; In my view your Forester should NOT be towing a trailer over 1,500# all up, regardless of the hitch rating. I have over 300,000 km of towing experience in the last 6 years as I pull new RVs from the factories to the dealerships. I have towed across Canada and to Texas and California. The trailers have ranged from 40' gooseneck to 15' travel trailer and from 1,500# to over 15,000#.
My commercial tow vehicles have always been Dodge Cummins diesel pickups but we also own a 2006 Outback wagon 2.5. We just returned from a 2,500 km trip from Vancouver Island to Waterton Lakes Park, Alberta and we towed a 1,700 # tent trailer that we rented for the trip. We carried little or no fresh water and not too much gear so the all-up
weight should have been around the 2,000# mark.
The Subaru did OK but it was clear to me that this was a marginal load. The mountain passes were attained in 2 gear with the engine labouring and this was in moderate
fall weather. Handling was OK but the tent trailer was more noticeable than a 30' travel trailer behind my Dodge 3500. If I were ever buy a trailer to tow with my Subaru, it will be no more than 1,000# empty and I will be keeping the water and gear to a minimum. This is just my opinion but it is based on many hindreds of thousands of kms of towing and my experience towing with a Subaru. Best of luck in whatever you decide!