Anyone tow a Rockwood A122 with a Subaru Outback?

[Kanikamom]

Anyone out there haul a small trailer with the Subaru Outback? We just bought a Rockwood a122 and are ready to pick it up tomorrow. After years of researching, talking about tongue weights and fully loaded trailers, and talking with several different dealers about what the Subaru can haul, we made our wonderful purchase. Now, the boyfriend is continuing to make quantitative comparisons between the chalet, a liner, and Rockwood, and this morning says he doesn't think the Subaru can haul an A122. The car specs say we can haul a maximum of 2700 pounds with 200 pound tongue weight, at least on the manufacture installed hitch. We installed a 600 pound hitch however. Is there anyone out there who is towing a small trailer with a Subaru outback?

[underwhirled]

My brother and his wife tow a J series popup with their Subaru Outback. They have a V6, and they are very conscious about the weight of the camper and their gear as the load could easily creep up there.

They don't have any real problems. I'd just note that an A122 starts to approach the towing limit of the Subaru. Be careful how much stuff you put in it.

If you are looking for a brake controller, I would recommend the wireless Prodigy.

Enjoy the camper!

[Kanikamom]

Thanks so much for the response. Loaded with necessary water/propane, etc., we have 400 pounds left for "stuff" to reach the max weight. Of course, we would prefer to stay well under the maximum weight. We are thinking about getting a weight distribution hitch, in addition to sway bars. But all of the dealers we've dealt with have indicated that they put trailers on plenty of Subarus (of course we know they want to make a sale but I'd sure like to believe they would be considering our safety more than a bit of profit).

[RichardEB]

We tow an A124 with a 4 cylinder Subaru Outback. Spent 3.5 months on the road with it and towed over the rocky mountains with no problems.

[Kanikamom]

Thank you so much Richard! The boyfriend asks what is the gas mileage when you go over the Rockies? Ha ha Ha

I think your message has given us more confidence and excitement in going to pick up our baby (A122) in about an hour.

[RichardEB]

We drove 22 thousand miles on the trip and averaged 23 mpg overall. 18 mpg while towing and 30 when not towing.

[handbuilder]

Kanikamom, did you pick up your trailer? How did it go? I am inclined to agree with your boyfriend. That's alot of trailer to tow with your 4 cylinder vehicle. While someone else mightve had luck towing with no problem, it's no excuse to put yourself at risk with a vehicle close to (and exceeding) its capability limits. The trailer weight will wear and tear your vehicle in a short time. Towing up mountain passes will be challenging and once up, you have to keep in mind you will need to go back down. That's alot of weight pushing your little car. I don't think your frame is made to support a weight distributor and adding a hitch that can carry more tongue weight than your Subaru is rated for, isn't safe. The tongue weights on the FR A-Frames varies between 252 lbs to 335 lbs - all over the weight your Subaru is rated for. Do yourself a favor and buy a tow rig capable of pulling your new trailer. Sadly, not all salesmen have your safety in mind. They want the sale & its up to the buyer to do their homework. Salesmen won't be held liable for buyer ignorance if there is an accident. It's better to be safe and arrive alive than to tow a trailer with an inadequate vehicle.

[Pooneil]

Kanikamom, if you are using this TV and camper combo, go to a commercial scale and blow $15 to get it weighed so you know exactly what you are towing, how it is balanced and what your axle weights are. This will tell you whether you are near or above manufacturer's ratings and let you make informed decisions about loading and safety.

Towing safety need to consider front axle underweight that can cause the combined loss of braking and steering and rear axle overweight that can cause tire failure. A white knuckle drive to and from the campground will take all the fun out of the trip.