Can Your Subaru Tow A Trailer Over The Rocky Mountains?
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Subaru Outback Wilderness, Forester & Crosstrek. Can they tow a trailer across the Rocky Mountains? Which is best? Claus tests the Outback Wilderness driving across the mountains towing a 2,300 pound trailer.
Support this channel through Patreon; / clauskellerman
A little disappointed that this didn't end with a fireside chat and maybe what you cooked on your adventure.
transmission coolers are the key to towing
Yes, but horses help too! Especially in the mountains. His Outback has a turbo engine. Finally, this guy tells it like it is rather than the BS Subaru hypothetical towing ratings for non turbo engines on mountain roads.
Hows turbo vs the 3.6 towing?
Brakes are super important too.
I would love to know this as well. @@juliosdiy3206
*Note: The label that says 2000 GVWR is not the dry/empty weight of the trailer. GVWR represents the maximum weight of the vehicle and what it can carry when fully loaded. An Aliner Scout trailer weighs closer to around 1300lbs empty depending on its year (refer to the MFG specs). If the actual dry weight is 1300lbs and if you add 300lbs of cargo, your total trailer weight is 1600lbs. This is 700lbs (30%) less then the 2300lbs mentioned in the video several times. A vehicle or trailer should not be loaded past its GVWR.
yes. good catch
I have` no interest in Subaru, but this is quality content. I can see many people finding this useful.
Absolutely. We towed our ~3000 lb travel trailer over the Rockies and back twice with our Onyx XT (same turbo as the Wilderness but without the lower gearing). Power was never a problem -- the limiting factor for us was getting enough tongue weight for a smooth, secure ride while still keeping the tongue weight under 350 lbs and not having too much sag (even with spring helpers). This last year, we did the trip again with a V8 Nissan Armada, and tongue weight and sag were no longer issues. Oddly enough, gas mileage when towing was nearly the same (the turbo provides plenty of power but really can suck the gas).
I haven't played world of tanks in many years Claus but i still watch your content, i have towed my cruiseliner around most of Australia now and i can say the Avan has exceeded all my expectations. Keep up the great content, much love from Brisbane.
I can see it now, "Adventures with Claus - Brought to you by Subaru Outback." It's a natural, geologist traversing the wild frontier, providing the planet's history through the rock formations hiding in plain sight. Third channel incoming.
Claus, thanks for the video. Good to know! I just bought an Outback Wilderness identical to yours, only a 2024, and really appreciate the information.
Finally saw a Outback Wilderness in person. It is bigger than I imagined. Not my taste but seemed like a solid vehicle. Enjoy Claus.
I used to tow my 1100kg laden caravan with my JDM 2002 Subaru 2.0 WRX wagon for many years, even around the "roof of Africa" with no effort at all and it was only rated to tow 900kg.
It ran away with that caravan over steep mountainous terrain. I recall a BMW 3.0d X3 towing a 5 foot luggage trailer couldn't keep up with me on the steep ascents. The temperature gauge was always at normal operating temperature.
nice!
FYI, if your max torque is in the 2000 ~ 4400 RPM range, your turbo is engaged, fully engaged @2000 RPM. Even at 4400 RPM there is turbo engagement. So as you were effortlessly cruising up those mountain passes at 2500 RPM, your turbo was working it's nuts off to do it. :)
The car traveling at those speeds, whether towing or not would be operating above 2000rpm.
No the turbo is not working it's nuts off. It works its nuts off when you accelerate at HIGH rpm. The turbo has to inject exponentially more air (oxygen) to assist the high rate of fuel combustion. At high rpm is when it works its ass off and gets really hot. At low rpm less fuel is consumed, less oxygen is needed and the turbo can function easily without strain.
@@clauskellermanpov3004 Your turbo can engage at anywhere from 2000 ~ 4800 for that particular engine. If you're achieving maximum torque at 2000, you can bet your bottom dollar that turbo is fully engaged. Don't confuse torque with power (HP) which for that engine's max output of 260 hp is achieved at 5,600. In other words, if you want to realize 260 hp out of that engine, you have to take it to 5,600 rpm. Whereas the max torque of that engine can be achieved variably from 2000 ~ 4800 rpm. That variability is achieved through the turbo charger and it's level of engagement. A non-turbo normally aspirated engine's max torque is fixed at one certain rpm spec. In the 2.5 liter for example, it's 4,400 rpm. In your video, your assertion that the non-turbo variant of that engine (Crosstrek, Forester) would see your rpm much much higher as you make your ascension, which would be correct. My point simply is, your turbo is doing the heavy lifting if it's allowing you to drop your ascension rpm in the 2,000 ~2,500 rpm range. For it to do that, it would have to be working hard irrespective of engine rpm. It's simple physics.
Ll@@clauskellermanpov3004
awesome video! Just started following. Me and the wifey traded in our 2021 Crosstrek premium for the wilderness Crosstrek looking forward to some light towing maybe the Aliner Scout Lite 1190 dry weight and 3000 GVWR lbs We take delivery hopefully next week!
Awesome buddy. Happy camping!
Before you return check trailer wheels, lug nuts, tire pressure and rubber. Make sure trailer wheel bearings are greased and not to hot.
I've made the drive between Alaska and America many times and gas is definitely much higher in BC. Always gas up before crossing over into BC.
ha glad I stumbled on this vid, feel like it confirmed a lot of the things I was thinking about these vehicles, and I learned some things. Cheers
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video! I drive an Outback Wilderness. This is my first Subaru.
This is the exact video I needed. Got a ride in my buddies crosstrek and it was really nice. I was thinking Bronco, but you've convinced me otherwise. I'm getting close to finish my designs of my first outland trailer build and the Crosstrek Wilderness feel like the best choice then to tweak my designs I build to match the car. You nailed a lot of key point like tongue weight. I was shooting for a 3200lbs top tow weight, but still researching framing, external materials/considerations and insulation to get the weight down without fragility. I've enjoyed this whole process. Can't wait to get started but I agree with the girlfriend analogy. Thanks for such a great video. Gold for us DIY guys just getting into the game.
Thanks for watching buddy
Loved the video. Fellow Calgarian here. I just bought the 2024 Outback Limited XT with the 2.4 turbo and was wondering about this subject. I have the trailer hitch already but I will be adding the bigger plug for the trailer brakes thanks to your comments. Thank you so much. Love all the advice.
Happy travels buddy!
... i like the direction yer headed ...
I too turn off the auto stop/start feature..hate it.
Fun stuff, Claus! Thanks for the education, sir!
If Claus wasn’t a grumpy old cheap ass, he would put a Bond Turbo on and get that extra 12.5% power over the 10% of the standard turbo. 🤣
Rock on Kellerman 🤘😎
You’re really bucking hard for that Subaru salesman of the year award. 😂
Towing at Tier IV with WG Subaru. Good luck Claus.
I would start using Amsoil signature oil for the engine and Amsoil transmission fluid handles the heat better than any other oil on the planet
Please replace those screws holding the 7 way connector with some stainless steel ones, will save you some hassle later.
the idiots put rust attracting screws!
@@clauskellermanpov3004 You need to splash out and get yourself some “premium rust avoider” hardware.
Wow my crosstrek is that exact model looks like I will be installing a trailer hitch. The crosstrek is naturally aspirated Claus. No turbo.
yes. 182 HP and max torque around 4500 rpm. the outback is a turbo 270 HP and max torque starting at 2000 rpm.
I’m dying to see someone install a 7 pin connection on a Crosstrek Wilderness and tow 3500Ibs.
Claus: What range of elevation did you encounter during the trip as you tend to lose HP at higher elevations. I just bought my first Subaru, a 2023 Forester Wilderness, and like you, had the dealer install a hitch and they did a great job. Loved the video - very well composed and informative.
We went from sea level to 1,440 m mountain pass.
Yea I pulled a teardrop with my 2019. CO-WA-S. CA-CO. 6 spd manual. Did awesome really.
Crosstrek?
I have a 4 cylinder Taco. Took our 18 ft 3200 lb rv from MI to Eastern Oregon. I can't rip 60 up the steep grades but 40 mph at 5% is very doable at 3500 rpm.
Over here in Australia, the turbo 2.4 litre boxer engine in the Outback is rated for towing 2400kg or 5291lb. Tow ball weight is rated 240kg or 529lb. 2300lb seems very light. You would have to be a fool to try it, but that’s what Subaru publish as towing figures. The GVM is only 2200kg or 4850lb including tow ball weight. Anyone in their right mind wouldn’t tow anything heavier than twenty percent less than the actual vehicle mass and even then you would be doing it carefully. I don’t know if Subaru are any worse than their competitors, but those figures are nothing short of potentially dangerous if anyone takes them literally.
Geez. Ive just picked up a 24 OW with 20Kkms on it and the combined consumption I'm seeing is 10.3 L/100km impressed to see 10.1 while towing in BC. I dont have that much of a heavy foot but use the power when I need to merge. Could be Ont vs BC altitude I suppose.
Could be the different refined gas in the west. Could be more traffic in Ontario. Humidity as well.
My Hilux can pull jeezus off the cross then go back and pull the cross out, geared perfectly with 166hp does what it needs to do, my SAAB 9-5 turbo has 360hp and has a towbar but I think it's there to trip people or damage shin bones and pretends it's more but we know it's not... will post a photo of the ute in the community section :) hope the info vids make good money for ya
My new 24 Crosstrek Wilderness is rated for 3500 lbs. I highly doubt I’ll ever test that limit…lol
Great video! An honest review, I am super interested in one and one day maybe a teardrop trailer.
According to Subaru Canada's website, the 2024 CTW max torque is around 3,400 rpm, not 5000 rpm (@ 18:14), however, I'm inclined to agree with you because if I'm not mistaken, that's considering raw weight of vehicle, so if pulling something like 2,300 lbs load, then I would imagine that it would rev to around 5k rpm and to handle that load over the course of 40min, that would bring me pause. I ask this because I am considering buying a 2024 CTW and would like to know I can tow a tear drop trailer with it with no issues in the Ontario cottage areas from Toronto. Great video, thank you!
Actually, just to add, I am considering waiting for the 2025 CTW, hoping they would add turbo to it, but i don't think that will happen, I think the next iteration of it will have a hybrid engine, but not sure it will improve performance, but will definitely add costs when things break down, even if there was a turbo option.
My Toyota Camry towed a 6x9 foot trailer from Cleveland, Ohio, to Mesa, Arizona. Very much over the mountains. I was able to do 50mph, on the steepest climbs. lol 4 cylinder 2.5 liter, also.
nice!
Not missing the ole truck I bet. Beautiful scenery...hope to get out there someday. BTW 270HP is plenty for that little vehicle and load. If you blow a turbo...you will be walking up that hill. I had a turbo blow in a big rig going over the rockies..I think I was in third gear the rest of the way (out of 21 gears)
wow!
Iv'e had that experience with the Toyota Tacoma 3rd gen not even towing !
Looks like you are set, Claus! Though this is not a huge amount of weight, you still may want to be mindful of transmission temps. on hills. Take a break if needed. Have a great and safe trip, buddy! 😁
Yes. Unfortunately there is no transmission temperature display. But the car has a transmission oil cooler.
Would be fun to see a side by side with the Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek all Wilderness. I wonder how the FW and CTW would perform.
Maybe Subaru will lend me one of each to try...
Keep up the good work man 👍 thanks for all the info
So glad I kept my 2.5T 2007 Forester. Sure it guzzles fuel but it has 230bhp and isn't a pathetic shadow of what a Forester once was. When I move on, I'll have to get the Outback won't I.
yes. the new 2025 Forester drops another 2 HP! lol
@@clauskellermanpov3004 Must be owned by Wargaming.
7:51 Oh no, the engine will be just fine. I’d be more worried about the transmission!
I really like how CVT operates. Hopefully a manufacture can improve the design so it becomes more serviceable and durable enough to handle more power input.
Seems to work very well on the Outback with 260 HP.
@@clauskellermanpov3004 My understanding is CVT cannot be serviced if it there is a failure, unlike traditional automatics which CAN be taken apart to be rebuilt. CVT requiring entire unit to be replaced with a new or refurbished one, which can cost on average $6000 or more.
This was a great explanation and very informative. My Outback Wilderness has had similar positive towing experiences, but so far only against prairie wind. Mountains are next! How were the downhills with the brakes?
Down hill was fine. Engine breaking while in cruise control works!
Great info, luvly scenery. Whats the camper like?
Cvt should love that
Next Time Try it with a WRC Impreza and caravan. That might be also entertaining
You don't have to hammer the gas for your turbo to spool up
Correct. I NUDGE my gas pedal on my '22 OB XT, and it scoots, period.
in the Netherlands a Outback and Forester can tow 2000kg =+/-4,409 Pounds and a crosstrek/xv can tow 2.0i e-BOXER (hybrid) 1270kg=+/- 2,799 pounds the 1.6i and the 2.0i 1400kg =+/- 3,086 so what a difference to Canada
For efficiency while pulling,accelerate down hill to gain momentum for the up hill. Mind you i get 800+ kms per tank
Good luck fixing that thing on the side of the road too.
The "hills" are 50 km up and then 50 km down. Mountain passes...
Thank you.
Great video! Maybe I missed it -- what were the dry and estimated loaded-up tongue weights?
Pretty view
Maximum tourque of Crosstrek wilderness is at 3700rpm and Forester wilderness is 4400rpm so maybe that's the reason for tow rating difference.
Max torque of Outback starts at 2,000 rpm.
sorry Alberta guy.... The Coq aint in the Rockies! 😁😜
Great video 👍
everybody knows ,Subaru's best ,let the baby smoke 😁
Hello, I have a Subaru Outback I also have a a liner. I noticed how you put the 7pin on the back of your Outback .Did you install that ? The reason I ask is mine they installed below the hitch which takes some of my ground clearance . I would like to get your set up if you have any part number. Thanks for any help.❤
I think you just need to get a similar bracket that extends out to the side like mine. I hate the ones that hang down...
I hate to brake the news to you but the Rockies runs North-South not East-West.
Coquihalla Mountain is an extinct stratovolcano in Similkameen Country, southwestern British Columbia, Canada, located 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Falls Lake and 22 km (14 mi) west of Tulameen between the Coquihalla and Tulameen rivers. With a topographic prominence of 816 m (2,677 ft), it towers above adjacent mountain ridges. It is the highest mountain in the Bedded Range of the northern Canadian Cascades with an elevation of 2,157 m (7,077 ft) and lies near the physiographic boundaries with the Coast Mountains on the west and the Interior Plateau on the east.
If the Rockies run north to south and I drive west to east don't I drive "over" them?
Klaus as a 2 time forester owner possible a 3 with the new forester subie aren’t mean to tow they don’t have the engine or tranny for it unless u got the ascent don’t believe the dealer or the Subie fanboys but it’s ur car not mine gl and what’s its dpm?
The 2024 Forester “Sport” that I recently sold could barely get out of its own way on a slight hill. 176 lb ft of torque at 5,500 rpm! Forget towing anything at altitude. The Wilderness might be better but still underpowered compared to the Outback turbo.
Exactly
I heard 150 pounds of beer in the back...
Pretty heavy for a such a little trailer. Subaru is wellknown over here (europe) for its towing. So no surprise that it did it so easy. And looks very good. Nice color and rims 👍 When I was little we went on holiday with a 2.3 lt diesel with 65 hp and 128 nm, towing a caravan of 5.7 meters long (1500 kg). Very sloooow uphill. Those were different times. Its much safer now.
Good explanation of towing 👍
En France et donc en UE avec ma forester je peux tracter legalement 2000kg max. Le poids total du vehicule + charge tractée est de 4015 kg max autorisé
your a very brave man Claus! CVT transmissions were never designed to tow anything.
Great Video 😊
Thanks
Now look up those same numbers for a decent (engine) sized Volvo.
Looks like an enjoyable trip. I have the Ascent that tows 5000 pounds. We have not towed yet. I’m just wondering… we have the same engine. What difference will that make?
Ascent is a bigger vehicle. Subaru says it can tow 5000 lbs. Same engine.
I think it can, don't ramrod, try to keep load over axles, and make sure that you use the tow setting on inclines, and declines.
Tac looks great!
☕😀
Brother, amen most folks don't get that.
Temp good
🤔 hmmm rally car conversion?
☕😁
Why I love my f150, last of the I6 engines.
Oh my that thing can go 100 mph n the rpm is under 3k, my 07 forster is at 3k at 70 mph what a big difference and i bet my tranny is goin cry like crazy pulling that thing.
I have a teardrop trailer about 1500lb empty maybe 2000lb loaded. Do you think the crosstrek wilderness would work?
I don't know but Subaru says yes.
Thanks for the response Claus
The tow rating includes all the passwnger and luggage weight correct? In that case you were fairly close to max rating. 2800 give or take? Pretty awesome showing in my opinion. How was it descending with brakes?
The CVT slows you down while using cruise control. Was very good.
I'm curious about the Subaru. Does it have good alpha and pen? What about its armor rating?
Of course it can
Great info, merci 😊
10:01 I see your RPM going up and down while going uphill at 100kmh. Shows the CVT is constantly adjusting. I wonder if it would be best to switch to manual and pick a gear to stabilize the CVT and the RPM. Legit question, I really don’t know but seems logical to me.
The RPM changes as the steepness of the hill changes. I don't think anyone would be able to do it better manually.
@@clauskellermanpov3004 makes sense. Thanks. Bought my OBW 3 days ago so still learning … cheers from 🇨🇦
Only on a road buddy!
Wat engine is ur subaru outback.
I have subaru forester 2023 2.5L. Want to buy a camper.
The Outback engine in very different than the Forester. Much more powerful.
does claus just travel all over the world every day? a few days ago he was in toronto i think :D
basically yes.
thx exelent info
gl m8ty
Too bad the Wilderness series are not coming to Europe. But the newer Toyota Land Cruiser is.
I was curious about the tow ratings on the Crosstrek. According to Subaru, all trim levels except the Wilderness are rated to only tow 1500 lbs, yet the Wilderness is 3500. What's different?
Btw the 2000lbs on your sticker is the max vehicle weight allowed fully loaded, not the dry weight.
You are right! good point!
It appears the Crosstrek Wilderness employs a retuned transmission and a transmission cooler as opposed to other versions of the Crosstrek. I wouldn't think those two differences would result in an extra 2,000 lbs of towing capacity, but I guess Subaru knows more than me.
When your riding with the guy who wont shut up... just record him :)
You have a good car there Claus.
claus moving weight
So you won’t even pull something with your Crosstrek to show us the difference? Were you not aware the Crosstrek Wilderness comes with an auxiliary transmission cooler?
Yes it does and Subaru says it can do it. But the engine is no where near as powerful as the Outback and I don't want to use my own. If Subaru lends me one I'll do it.
I love my subaru so yes I agree with you
How was the non existent engine braking on the descent with the trailer? I have an outback and I think the cvt is the worst thing about the car.
I find the CVT better than any automatic transmission I ever drove. The engine breaking in cruise control was perfect. And there was no jumping around on the rpm curve ever. Smooth.
Because you don't know how to drive.
Pretty sure the Forester is bigger than the Outback in terms of size, not weight
Not even close. The Outback is much bigger.
The low roof height of the station wagon styled body gives an illusion the Forester is bigger than the Outback. It is not. For the 2024 models the Outback is around 10 inches longer, around 2-3 inches wider, and only around an inch lower in height. The Forester is Subaru's compact entry while the Outback is the mid-sized entry. You're not the first person to be fooled by the station wagon illusion, but the tape measure doesn't lie.
Cringe. Please keep us updated on the durability of the cvt and diffs. Curious to see how they fare.
Subaru uses Garrett turbochargers
10,000 pound truck can tow over 30,000
That's a 10,000 pound truck designed for towing. The Crosstrek is a car. What's your point?
@clauskellermanpov3004 did you even watch the video and understand? He was talking about weight of vehicle vs weight of towing. Hence my response. If a truck can tow over 3 times it's weight I believe a car can tow it's same weight, comprehend?
🦝
Oh no,a caravan 😱.I may have to unsubscribe!
Good luck with your experiment fishing for new views and ad revenue.
The Outback has shit concealment. And horrible view range.
Screw-baru...
Child-ish......
Pen-de-jo
something about screw baru being lesbian motors.
Or gay like you?