Towing two snowmobiles with a 98 Outback Legacy Wagon

[Etienne]

Ralph,

I stand corrected by you regarding passenger as not cargo. You are
right they are cargo.

However can you explain why a 2004 Subaru Forester is rated to two
3500lbs in Australia with brakes!!!!!!!! They are using the same
engine, transmissions, etc...... Note they are required to install a
transmission cooler!!! And that explains part of the weight
difference. But the impression I get from you is that unless I own a
F250/350 superduty I can't tow anything with any Subaru!!!!!!

 

[uglymoney]

I often towed the same
trailer/snowmobile combo with my old 4X4 GL wagon. Took 2nd gear to
get up the hill sometimes, but the brakes were never a problem. And
the economy of 25MPG with a Subaru vs 11MPG using my Ford truck is
pretty hard to refuse. Plus the Soobie is more comfortable.
As always, YMMV (standard disclaimer).

I get like 16 to 17 mph towing my 2800 lb boat with my Outback wagon 5
speed. Not good, but my friend with an Explorer often gets that when
he is not towing!

I think part of the problem is that my windshield sticks way up over
the top of the back of my car, so it really pulls a bit hard.

That being said, normally I can hum along and keep up with traffic
just fine. On huge hill I tend to let it slow down a little, though I
almost always could go the speed limit if I kept the revs up and kept
shifting down - problem with that is watching the gas needle plummet!

Anway, I can't imagine even being able to feel a 2 place snowmobile
trailer. Should be a very easy tow.

nate
2002 Outback Wagon

 

[Ralph E Lindberg]

Ralph,

I stand corrected by you regarding passenger as not cargo. You are
right they are cargo.

However can you explain why a 2004 Subaru Forester is rated to two
3500lbs in Australia with brakes!!!!!!!! They are using the same
engine, transmissions, etc...... Note they are required to install a
transmission cooler!!! And that explains part of the weight
difference. But the impression I get from you is that unless I own a
F250/350 superduty I can't tow anything with any Subaru!!!!!!

No, just that they are not well suited to tow a ton-o-stuff. Like we
one I saw just yesterday. They had two adults, two kids, stuff in the
car, four bikes on the roof and a eight foot utility trailer on the
bumper.
I still haven't gotten an answer on tow ratings, but I have gotten
some firm numbers on cargo..

"You are welcome. We have been trying to narrow down your interest in
order
to provide you with specific specifications. As it is, we will provide
you
with the carrying capacity of all of our 2004 Legacy models. We do not
have
separate specifications for passengers and cargo. To simplify the
specifications, the following specs are the total amount that you can put
into the 2004 Legacy models. This includes passengers, including the
driver, and cargo. This information does not include towing capacity,
which
is separate from these specifications.

2004 Legacy L Sedan - 1,145/1,080 lbs (manual/automatic)
2004 Legacy L Sedan 35th Anniversary - 1,115/1,050 lbs (manual/automatic)
2004 Legacy GT Sedan - 1,005/950 lbs (manual/automatic)

2004 Legacy L Wagon - 1,195/1,125 lbs (manual/automatic)
2004 Legacy L Wagon 35th Anniversary - 1,130/1,070 lbs (manual/automatic)
2004 Legacy GT Wagon - 1,055/990 lbs (manual/automatic)

Thanks for the opportunity to be of assistance. If you need any future
assistance, please feel free to contact us again.

Best wishes,

John J. Mergen
Subaru of America, Inc.
"

--

 

[Etienne]

I agree with what you saw here, that is way overkill...

 

[JW]

No kidding. You would not believe how many F250 and 350 diesels you see
around here. Most likley, a compact pickup would meet their needs. It is
a status thing more than anything. It is also a horrendous waste of
resources!

The "status" they get is that people think of them as low brow
Neanderthals without the intelligence to make simple rational decisions.
They drive around in something that sounds like the city garbage truck and
they want respect? Not in this world. Like the old duck saying, they
look foolish, they sound foolish, therefore they must be foolish!

 

[hippo]

Dealer fitted tow pack for all Australian auto Subies includes AT oil
cooler. Differnet states have different regs. Passenger vehicles are
restricted to total laden weight of the trailer not exceeding the unladen
weight of the car if no trailer brakes or 1.5 times that weight if trailer
brakes are fitted. Trailer brakes are also required on all trailers where
total laden weight exceeds 750kg or 1650lb. So if you put more than half a
ton in a standard trailer you probably need brakes here. Don't know how
much a snowmobile weighs but there a few OBs round here towing 2 or 3
trailbikes & the odd 14 ft caravan.
Owner's manual here also prohibits any towing within 1000 miles of fitting
any new driveline parts. I'd fit a cooler, make sure your transmission
servicing is up to date and see how it goes. My 91 manual Liberty used to
tow up to a ton with no problems except for extra fuel costs.