Using a Subaru to tour the country with a travel trailer

W

WinAZ

New Member
My s.o. and I had plans to buy a Sprinter van and tour the country after I retire at the end of this year. But then on a visit to the Subaru dealership for a routine oil change, she was captivated by the new Subaru Outback Wilderness. Long story short, she now owns one.

The car, thanks to the turbo and possibly a transmission oil cooler (I need to verify that), has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which is impressive. That said, it’s still a car, not a truck.

Now that the van is likely out of the picture, we’re looking at lightweight travel trailers (1,700-1,900 pounds) that we could pull behind the Outback.

Question #1: Would it be a mistake to try to tour the country using the Outback as though it was a truck? How well would it endure the strain?

Question #2: Would it be a mistake to think a lightweight trailer would last for a few cross-country trips spread over a few years? Are they mostly for weekend getaways?

Thanks!
 

I think that I would rather rough it a few days/nights in the car and maybe a small pop up tent instead of buying and pulling a trailer.

Many campsites these days have small cabins with bathrooms and kitchen facilities that would be comfortable for an extended stay.

Experiment a bit before making a major purchase that will depreciate quickly the moment that you bring it home.

Good luck with your decision!

 
If the Subaru isn’t rated for towing an RV, don’t even consider it. Not even all trucks are rated for towing. If it is, try renting a trailer for a week and see how you like it.
 

I asked an educational AI your exact question. This is it's response perplexity.ai:

"Based on the forum question, here are my thoughts on the two main questions: Question #1: Using the Subaru Outback Wilderness for cross-country touring with a trailer While the Subaru Outback Wilderness has impressive capabilities for a car-based crossover, using it for extensive cross-country touring with a trailer would put significant strain on the vehicle:
  1. Towing capacity: The 3,500 lb towing capacity is the maximum rating. For long-term reliability, it's generally recommended to stay well below the maximum.
  2. Engine and transmission stress: Frequent towing, especially in mountainous areas, will put extra stress on the engine and transmission over time.
  3. Fuel efficiency: Towing will significantly reduce fuel efficiency, which may impact trip planning and costs.
  4. Comfort: The Outback, while comfortable, may not provide the same level of comfort as a larger vehicle for extended road trips.
  5. Storage: Space will be more limited compared to a van or larger SUV.
While it's possible to use the Outback for this purpose, it may not be ideal for extensive, long-term travel compared to a vehicle designed specifically for such use. Question #2: Durability of lightweight trailers for cross-country trips Lightweight travel trailers can certainly handle cross-country trips, but their longevity depends on several factors:
  1. Build quality: Higher-end lightweight trailers are built to withstand more frequent and longer trips.
  2. Maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial for any trailer, especially when used frequently for long trips.
  3. Usage patterns: How the trailer is used (e.g., mostly highways vs. rough roads) will impact its lifespan.
  4. Storage: Proper storage between trips can significantly extend a trailer's life.
  5. Design purpose: Some lightweight trailers are indeed designed more for weekend use, while others are built for more extensive travel.
For a few cross-country trips spread over several years, a well-built lightweight trailer should be able to handle the task, provided it's well-maintained. However, if the plan is for very frequent or extended trips, investing in a more robust trailer might be worthwhile. Recommendations:
  1. Research specific lightweight trailer models known for durability and suitability for longer trips.
  2. Consider the total weight of the trailer when loaded, not just its dry weight, to ensure it stays well within the Outback's towing capacity.
  3. Plan for more frequent maintenance stops for both the Outback and the trailer during long trips.
  4. Consider renting a similar setup for a shorter trip to test how well it meets your needs before committing to this plan long-term."
 
I would just stay at Super 8"s. Except for Florida. Motel 6's there. Hike state parks to rough it, you can even stay there at the Rentals or the Hotels.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I think that I would rather rough it a few days/nights in the car and maybe a small pop up tent instead of buying and pulling a trailer.

Many campsites these days have small cabins with bathrooms and kitchen facilities that would be comfortable for an extended stay.

Experiment a bit before making a major purchase that will depreciate quickly the moment that you bring it home.

Good luck with your decision!

Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply.
We have camped in a tent for a few years.
We're hoping to upgrade -- literally, to get up off the ground -- and have access to a toilet that doesn't require going outside.
 
Jules said:
If the Subaru isn’t rated for towing an RV, don’t even consider it. Not even all trucks are rated for towing. If it is, try renting a trailer for a week and see how you like it.
Click to expand...
The owner's manual says "3,500 lb. towing capacity," so I assume it's rated for towing.
Renting a lightweight trailer for a weekend is a good idea. Thanks!
 
papa tiger said:
I would just stay at Super 8"s. Except for Florida. Motel 6's there. Hike state parks to rough it, you can even stay there at the Rentals or the Hotels.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion, but we're hoping to avoid the expense.

1 month in even a cheap hotel = $3,000 to $4,000 and likely more, depending on where you are
1 month of dispersed camping = $0
 
Paco Dennis said:
I asked an educational AI your exact question. This is it's response perplexity.ai:

"Based on the forum question, here are my thoughts on the two main questions: Question #1: Using the Subaru Outback Wilderness for cross-country touring with a trailer While the Subaru Outback Wilderness has impressive capabilities for a car-based crossover, using it for extensive cross-country touring with a trailer would put significant strain on the vehicle:
  1. Towing capacity: The 3,500 lb towing capacity is the maximum rating. For long-term reliability, it's generally recommended to stay well below the maximum.
  2. Engine and transmission stress: Frequent towing, especially in mountainous areas, will put extra stress on the engine and transmission over time.
  3. Fuel efficiency: Towing will significantly reduce fuel efficiency, which may impact trip planning and costs.
  4. Comfort: The Outback, while comfortable, may not provide the same level of comfort as a larger vehicle for extended road trips.
  5. Storage: Space will be more limited compared to a van or larger SUV.
While it's possible to use the Outback for this purpose, it may not be ideal for extensive, long-term travel compared to a vehicle designed specifically for such use. Question #2: Durability of lightweight trailers for cross-country trips Lightweight travel trailers can certainly handle cross-country trips, but their longevity depends on several factors:
  1. Build quality: Higher-end lightweight trailers are built to withstand more frequent and longer trips.
  2. Maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial for any trailer, especially when used frequently for long trips.
  3. Usage patterns: How the trailer is used (e.g., mostly highways vs. rough roads) will impact its lifespan.
  4. Storage: Proper storage between trips can significantly extend a trailer's life.
  5. Design purpose: Some lightweight trailers are indeed designed more for weekend use, while others are built for more extensive travel.
For a few cross-country trips spread over several years, a well-built lightweight trailer should be able to handle the task, provided it's well-maintained. However, if the plan is for very frequent or extended trips, investing in a more robust trailer might be worthwhile. Recommendations:
  1. Research specific lightweight trailer models known for durability and suitability for longer trips.
  2. Consider the total weight of the trailer when loaded, not just its dry weight, to ensure it stays well within the Outback's towing capacity.
  3. Plan for more frequent maintenance stops for both the Outback and the trailer during long trips.
  4. Consider renting a similar setup for a shorter trip to test how well it meets your needs before committing to this plan long-term."
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for doing that. What a great idea!
Hard to find any fault with what Hal 9000 told you -- and now told all the users of this site.
 

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