Too crazy or good fun? Legacy pulling 13ft'er across country

[Jared J]

My opinion is that I wouldn't. I say this as an owner of a 2011 2.5 legacy that has towed with it.

This was enough for the car, still had to downshift it on some hills, usually only to fifth, some down to fourth. It also pushed on the car more than i thought it would in high wind (gusting over 40). Gas mileage went from 29-30 down to 22.



I think the car is solid enough, I just don't think the power is there. I might not even pull that 4x8 trailer behind it again.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I thought Google knew everything.

only if you are one of those with the location serves turn on your phone, then they really do know everything!

[Carol H]

I have a hunch the sedan probable wouldnt be as solid a tow as the Wagon or the Outback either way.

Jared not surprised with that set up that up that you noticed some wind action. Why the long tongue on such a light small trailer?

[Jared J]

I got it that way. I suspect it's a modified boat or pwc trailer, as the end of the frame, and the last three crossmembers were rusted out. I cut them out and welded new parts in when I put new wood on it.

I left it that way, because it works out well for launching this:



Actually, one of the kayaks was left in mn on this trip (gave it to my mom), and the yellow one came back on the trailer with the other kayak, so I had a little more weight/wind resistance.

Sorry for the hijack…

[Zealous Interiors]

I may be young, but I'm not part of the crew that believes everything on the internet is true! I would never hook up a trailer without consulting with the people with experience, along with the manual. But I saw this information on multiple websites, so until then I am going to believe the Legacy's towing limit is around 2700 pounds with trailer brakes.

Jared, thank you for the input it's nice to hear from someone with an Outback. Do you have a 6 speed? Even with my turbo Subaru not towing, I still downshift to 4th on the highway sometimes while going up a hill, I just think it's geared that way. But if I keep hearing from Subaru owners that tow, I guess I will have to scrap the idea.



My point is that if I had a Tacoma with similar tow rating (another vehicle I am considering), I feel like everyone would be all for it because it is a truck. I am hoping to get passed the biases that you need a truck! That way I can keep the car after the trip as a daily driver. An '04 Tacoma has only 142hp/160lb torque, and weighs less than the Legacy sedan. But if I want 4wd in the Tacoma, the gas mileage is pretty bad.

Taken from the internets so this info may not be true about the Tacoma:
"Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (lbs) 4,250, curb weight (lbs) 2,770, gross trailer weight braked (lbs) 3,500 and max payload (lbs) 1,480"

Sorry if I seem defensive in this post, I love this Subaru idea, but I also do not want to be putting others in danger.

[Zealous Interiors]

Carol, I think you have a good point about the sedan vs. wagon, I am going to start researching this!

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Zealous Interiors

Jared, thank you for the input it's nice to hear from someone with an Outback. Do you have a 6 speed? Even with my turbo Subaru not towing, I still downshift to 4th on the highway sometimes while going up a hill, I just think it's geared that way. But if I keep hearing from Subaru owners that tow, I guess I will have to scrap the idea.

Actually its Jared that has the Legacy its me that tows with the Outback. hate to say it but I have a hunch that towing with the Legacy is probable not the same as with an Outback. I dont have time to look right now but I know the Outback has great ground clearance and possible longer wheel base and a heavier? both the later items will impact how well a something tows or doesnt tow. My current Outback is an automatic. Have towed it thousands of miles without a problem and would suggest that if you looked at an Outback rather than a Legacy sedan you would be a much happier camper with the way it handles a 13' trailer. I have had it in very high winds - high enough to put a semi side ways in front of me but I didnt feel any wind.

[Jared J]

Yes, it's a 6 speed.

What speed do you plan on driving, and how far? Hilly areas? Pulling it through the hills in Iowa sucked, I was rowing through gears every two minutes. Cruise control became pointless. I was honestly going to get a 13' scamp or teardrop, and pull it with the car. My family is 650 miles away in mn. After pulling that trailer, I realized several things.

1. I would have to drive slow.
2. The gas mileage was dropping off so hard, it wouldn't be much of a benefit vs. the truck.
3. It was making the car work harder than I liked.

I scrapped all plans of that, sucked up the fact I was going to get crappy mileage, and bought a scamp fifth wheel for the truck instead. No worries about it being hard on the truck.

Now, if you have a park you like that's 100 miles away, and you can putter there, go for it. If you're planning big trips, I would reconsider, especially since you don't have the tow vehicle yet. I would look for one with the six or a turbo four.

It's not the handling that would worry me, I think it would do fine in anything but very high crosswinds. I just think it needs more power, IMHO.

If its an outback wagon, definite more wheelbase and I believe ground clearance, also. Standard outback is actually smaller, my sis had one.

[Zealous Interiors]

Do either of you have the 2.5i? Or do you have the turbo/H6 versions? I am looking into Outbacks as we speak! I like how the 2.5i is a PZEV (partially zero emission vehicle even though that doesn't make much sense to me)

[Glenn Baglo]

So many things to consider. I too wanted a Toyota Tacoma, but the Old Bag nixed it, pointing out that in a few short years we would be too old and frail to climb up into the cab. Ended up with a RAV4 Sport ( 269 hp ). In my next life, I'm getting the Tacoma.

[Jared J]

2.5i. 170hp and tq.

[Jared J]

Forum app is goofy, can't edit. Anyway, I think the h6 or turbo would be a huge improvement for towing.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Carol H

I am assuming your Legacy 2.5i, is the wagon? and not the Outback?

The link Andrew provides to the specifications indicate the model in question is the sedan: 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sedan 2.5L 4-cyl. AWD 5-speed Manual Features and Specs.

Per brakes:

It sounds like your trailer doesn't have them...I personally am of the opinion that brakes are a necessity for anything over 500 pounds, but I'm very conservative in that department.

However:
Most vehicle manufacturers give TWO tow limit numbers, one for a trailer with brakes and one without. In most smaller-tug cases the upper weight limit for an unbraked trailer is 1,000 pounds. I think Subaru is one such manufacturer. If so, you'll need brakes on the trailer if you choose the Legacy for your tow vehicle.

As to type:
It sounds like regular electric brakes may be difficult to install on a U-haul due to hub type... since you probably don't know the history of this trailer, I'd recommend having a trailer brake specialist take a look and tell you if it's possible.

Though surge brake parts may be available, in my opinion you'll be better off with electrics if it's at all practical. Surge brakes can't be actuated manually like electric brakes can, and I think manual activation to be a necessary safety/control mechanism.

Francesca

[Jared J]

^^^^especially when already pushing the limits. I really don't believe in surge brakes, except maybe for boat trailers. Even then, electric over hydraulic is far superior.

[Zealous Interiors]

I am going to ask on some Subaru forums and see if I can find anyone that tows with the 2.5i. For a daily driver/tug I'm not looking for a turbo, especially with towing since I think it will get the turbo going on the highway and then gas mileage will be terrible. And I believe the 3.0 and turbo versions both need premium gasoline, which is a small turn off. So I guess I will look into the compact trucks more.

I normally drive 75 on the highway but I was thinking more along the lines of 60 if I was towing.

If I can make it happen with the 2.5i I think it would be great. But it sounds like I need to do more research so I'll get on it. Thanks for all of the input so far, I really appreciate it.

^^Just saw the post about trailer brakes. Yes I would be having a professional install the electric brakes, I would not consider towing much if I did not have them.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Jared J

......... Even then, electric over hydraulic is far superior.

Right, but then the cost is right around a new axle* with electric brakes.



*(which it probably needs after 27 years)

[Jared J]

60 is probably doable, but you'll have your foot in the throttle body for sure. I didn't want premium gas either, that's why I picked the 2.5i.

How far do you plan on towing it?

[Dudley]

I own a 2003 outback wagon 5sp manual and also had a 2001 Legacy wagon auto. I towed my 76 Ventura 13' trailer with both. The venture has a lot of frontal area and is not the lightest trailer out there. The difference between the outback and the legacy is the suspension and gearing with the outback for larger tires. The trailer hitch is the same for both. Mileage when towing is pretty bad at about 18-20 mpg. The auto would shift down quite often with either wind load or hills. The outback usually only needs to go to 4th gear on hills. Most of my driving is done at 95 kmh about 55mph. On either standard or auto you WILL need brakes on the trailer. I recommend a Prodigy brake controller for ease of use and setup. Both of my cars had disc brakes all around but some of the legacy l have drum brakes on the rear. A Boler or similar trailer should be just fine as it is more streamlined. Mine is pretty square.

[Gilda]

We have towed a 13' Scamp (2011, all fiberglass, no shower) with our 2008 Subaru Legacy Sedan (manual shift) for over 6,000 miles with no problem. We do have brakes on the trailer and had U-Haul install the car's tow package. The car now has about 90,000 miles on it. We have been very satisfies with the car as a tow vehicle. I have to mention, though, when you add the tow package the hitch is liable to scrape when going on a sharp incline such as a speed bump or parking lot entry because the car is already so low to the ground. If I were to choose a tow vehicle now I would choose the Outback because it rides higher. Good luck with your choice!
Happy camping!

[Jared J]

What speed can you usually sustain, Gilda?