Subaru Outback 4, enough power?

Anyone driving a recent year Outback who finds the 4 cylinder too weak for a trailer?

 

How recent?

 

OK, skip the recent part.

 

Greg,

I have a 2010 4 cylinder Outback. No problem pulling. Even able to pass other vehicles on a 3 mile climb up "Nodine Hill" along I-90. Also, I do not have trailer breaks either, not needed yet. Also have never pulled thru mountain passes yet.

I bought the Outback because Cary said it is the number one towing vehicle seen at CI while picking up tears. So if there are any issues, blame Cary.

Jenn's outback is a 6 cylinder. As far as I know she has not had any issues.

Craig has an older Subaru Outback that he uses. Craig's mouth piece will have to speak.

Jean

 

Mouthpiece of Craig here!

We have a 2004 Outback, 4cyl...got it because of 1) it's great towing ability for a small vehicle & 2) So many of our customers have them & have given them high marks. We've have had it 2 years, 4 months & put 80,000 miles ( yes, that is correct) on it - probably 50,000 of those with teardrop in tow. That includes travel through the Rockies.

We have a 550 Ultra but have also towed the 560 with it. Like Jean, no trailer brakes.

Absolutely love it! Would buy another one (and probably will) in a heartbeat. Never had a problem of any kind with it. Well, unless you count that freaky time when a squirrel stored some nuts in the engine compartment & chewed through some wires.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm glad to hear the positive responses. My only concern is that I'll be doing more mountain driving than you but I think I will still go with it.

 

Is your Subaru Outback manual or automatic transmission?

Ignorant but learning....

 

Automatic

 

Towing is best with an automatic, believe Cary can provide information of maybe "Craig's mouthpiece" can answer.

If you live in the mountains, get brakes added! I towed thru the Tennessee mountains with no issues, besides the semi's that crawl up the hills. Love the Subaru for towning.

Jean

 

We have towed our 550 Ultra with a 2004 and 2010 Subaru Forester without problems. We did order brakes on the trailer just to be on the safe side and have been very comfortable with them. In July we bought a 2013 Outback (4 cylinder). I wanted another Forester, but the 2014 model has introduced the CV transmission and the factory has lowered the towing capacity to a maximum of 1,500 pounds. That put it just a little too close to what our teardrop might weigh when full of all our gear and the water tank topped off. Only been out 3 times with the new rig for a total of 3 1/2 weeks, but very happy with the Outback and concur with Craig's endorsement.