Tow Vehicle Shopping

B

Bev

Novice
Hi All! As it seems those with a Subaru Forester are pleased having one as their tow vehicle, I went out to a dealer to check out the 2014 model. The first dealer I went to had sold both that morning, so I couldn't test drive or even sit in one. The second dealer I went to yesterday had one on the lot, it was sold, but I did get to sit in it......no test drive though. My first impression was awesome visibility.

I went to a car last year after someone hit my SUV.....have missed the versatility of the SUV type vehicle ever since.

I've got some time until the big day comes to pick up my 550 Ultra, so please, any advice you have on vehicle, hitch, and equipment would be much appreciated. I usually keep a vehicle a very long time.

Thanks for helping this lady out.
 
If you want utility, get a mini van like the odyssey. Lots go towing capacity, great ride, storage out the yang and room for 7 comfortably. Other than being uncool they are the best utility out there.
 
Biscuit, did you know that they decreased the tow rating for the 2014 Forester? I believe it is now 1500 pounds with brakes. I think that is still enough to tow the 550.

You might want to check out the Subaru Forester forum:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/

I have a Curt Class III hitch on my 2009 and use the Prodigy II brake controller.

I have been very happy with my set up.
 
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Thank you all for your input.

Well, I did it, I traded my vehicle in this weekend for one I believe is going to work out best for me and my new 550 Ultra. I got a 2014 Subaru Forester. After weeks, I finally got to test drive one. I knew from the moment I pulled out onto the highway it was mine, I LOVE it! On the way home from the dealership I was day dreaming I had just picked up the teardrop from CampInn and on my next adventure.

Now I just hope the waiting for my teardrop to be complete will pass by quickly.

Happy Travels!
 
Subaru and Camp Inn's go together very well.

When my 2010 Subaru engine was being rebuilt in Gainesville, that Subaru dealer thought the Camp Inn was too heavy. In the end we agreed to disagree. (Water pump went out and fried engine).

Did you invest in a 4 cylinder or a 6 cylinder?

The 4 cylinder Subaru Outback pulls the teardrop very easily, like the two were made to go together.

Jean
 
I have the 2012 Subaru Outback 3.6 L and love it. I finally got to tow the 560 a few weeks ago (Gerry usually drives) and it felt like I was not towing at all. Enjoy your Forrester. :-)
 
late response- sorry. We have a 2013 Forester and according to our manual the tow limit is 2400 lbs with trailer brakes. With regard to the reduced tow capacity on the 2014's, sounds to me as if Subaru is trying to discourage towing and reduce their corporate liability. 2013 or 2014- same engine/transmission(?) Anyway, we recommend trailer brakes. We haven't towed with our Forester yet. Our VW Eurovan is doing a great job so far (Death Valley, the high Sierra Nevada, climbing/descending, highway travel). It has a V6 with 205 hp and a dining table inside for really unpleasant weather. Happy travels from Fresno CA
 
They did change the engine in the 2014 to CVT, whatever that means. That caused the reduction in tow limit.
 
No Problem Joan, only know it because we just bought a 2013 after trying the 2014. Traded in our 2009 which we had no problems with but with 97000 miles I did not want to start having any. LOL

You going to the CICO?
 
Yes, I am going. I will have my 2009 forester for quite some time yet. Just had the 30,000 mile service. By the time I need a new tow vehicle, I will be looking at an outback or small truck.

See you in a couple of weeks.
 
I just bought a 2015 Subaru Forester Premium with the 4 cyl. engine, CVT transmission, and the all weather package. Love it. I'm 6'4 tall and its very comfortable, with very good visibility too.

I'm going to install a class III 2" trailer hitch, wire the Forester for a brake controller, and install wiring for a 7-way connector with a charge wire going from the Foresters battery to the teardrop's battery.

This will be my daily driver and the tow vehicle for my teardrop. Will be curious to see what MPG it gets when towing.
 
I was wondering about getting a new Cherokee to tow our 560. I remember seeing a new cherokee at the CICO last year. If anyone tows with one of these new Cherokees, can you tell me how you like it? We already have a grand Cherokee and love it. Just wanted something smaller.
 
Hi. I'm guessing it was us you saw at theCICO. After one season with ourCherokee we are very pleased. we have the V-6 with a 9 speed tran. and the tow package. the tow pack is prewired for the 7 prong lite setup. the jeep is my wifes daily driver and she loves it. It's a jeep thing.
 
Thanks so much for your reply. We are leaning to the Cherokee as the grand cherokee does such a great job but didn't want to spend that much again. We also bought the tow package on the grand. Good to hear the V6 is pulling well. Any trouble with the trans? there were some questions about this new format. And yes, we love "that Jeep thing."
 
This is why you can't pay too much attention to the websites and the magazines. It seems unanimous that each Jeep is in the bottom half in its segment (though the GC is the most favored, to be sure), yet you meet people (like yourselves) who have had no issues with their Jeeps. I'm not sure what to make of it, but perhaps even the worst vehicle in a segment is a pretty good vehicle. Yes, you might get better "value" in another brand, but that doesn't mean that even the worst vehicle in a segment is a bad vehicle or a bad value. (and that other brand won't have "the Jeep thing" or the Volvo thing or the whatever thing that a buyer happens to like)

More and more SUVs seem to be built to tow less and less. Thankfully, TDs are not a heavy load, but it's still a burden on a transmission and engine, especially in mountainous terrain. I'm not sure what my next TV will be. I'm in year 11 of my Volvo SUV.....so a new TV is around the corner pretty soon, most likely.

it's harder to get a TV, today, that is capable offroad. The Jeep GC is one of the few. (not sure about the Cherokee)

-Al
 
Al
Agree with you. This is my second GC. Had the first for 7 years and wanted an new one with the Eco engine. Have hemi on both. Just love the burst of power! Much better mileage with the new engine and now can use regular fuel without the hemi knocking. Jeep is one of the last SUVs that is actually a truck. Towing capacity over 7500 lbs. needed this much to tow the ranger bass boat. Does it with no problem. Now we may want to take the boat and trailer, so I want another truck. Thus considering the Cherokee.

Ordering with factory installed tow package I think is always beneficial if you're going to do any towing. Everything comes installed from the factory.

Almost got a Volvo years ago but couldn't quite afford it at the time.
Try a Jeep Grand Cherokee. You'll definitely be impressed.
Gina
 
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