Subaru Ascent as tow vehicle

[tvketchum]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Hey folks look at the video and freeze at 25 seconds.

Where’s the 7 way?

Anybody spot any lights on trailer?

I believe they left the trailer 7 pin unconnected to show how well the vehicle stops the combo.

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by danieljhale

I bought a 2019 Subaru Ascent Limited (towing capacity 5,000 / 500) to tow a 2019 Airstream Sport 22FB (4,500 GVWR / ≈ 400 tongue weight).

My 2006 23' Safari's tongue weight shown in the owners manual under specifications is "600", dry weight w/o options. (empty propane tanks, maybe no batteries) We carry some things on a regular basis that get stored with the AS, along with a propane cylinder full and the other nearly empty. In the nose we have, portable lights, empty water can, small heater, TrailerAid ramp, portable waste tote (blue boy) and some miscellaneous items. Unhitched in storage, the tongue weighs 730 lbs. So some standard items like batteries and propane will push your tongue weight above the specs. I would recommend a WDH also.

My 4Runner is rated for 7,000/700 with the V8, however, the specifications say the maximum trailer weight is 5,700 lbs for the 4WD V8. Why there is a difference between towing capacity and trailer weight I don't know. This may or may not apply to your TV, but my 2006 23' Safari GVWR is 6,000 lbs.

My 23' handles very well and the WDH keeps the entire rig level. I've never had a problem and we took a 5,488 mile round trip in August, out west over the mountains (and winds) in Wyoming & Utah, back through Idaho and Montana.

One point I would like to make, a maxed out trailer will not handle as well as one that is just 75% of a TV capacity. I can tell a big difference between leaving on a long trip and just taking it back to storage. I wouldn't want to go any larger than my 23'. YMMV.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by Halford1

To be an effective communicator, one stays on the subject. I am not talking about anything else but the max tow weight.

I can tow with 4 passenger and with good load if I tow my 16' Bambi with the Explorer with the factory installed tow package since that my Explorer can tow up to 5,000 lbs and that the Bambi is 3500 lbs at max.

don't forget the tongue weight. I can safely tow with 500 lbs tongue weight.

Actually, if you are going to rely just on the ratings, then the 5000 lbs and the 4 passengers and the “good load” are mutually exclusive. The 5000 lb tow rating for your vehicle is based on one 150 lb driver, no passengers, and no cargo. This illustrates the danger in relying on specs for safety. Real safety comes from setup and operation, not spec sheets.

[Halford1]

Originally Posted by jcl

Actually, if you are going to rely just on the ratings, then the 5000 lbs and the 4 passengers and the “good load” are mutually exclusive. The 5000 lb tow rating for your vehicle is based on one 150 lb driver, no passengers, and no cargo. This illustrates the danger in relying on specs for safety. Real safety comes from setup and operation, not spec sheets.

I have been towing for over 25 years now. It becomes automatic for me to check everything to make sure I could tow anything safely. Chains are always crossed, emergency brakes work, tires aired up, all lights work (yes to include brake lights) so forth.... but I will NOT tow anything to destroy my TV by getting too close to the max tow weight or go foolishly over the max.

I still can safely tow Bambi nowadays.