Subaru Forester

We tow with a 4 cylinder 2009 Subaru Forester. It lagged a bit going straight up 9000' out of Bishop CA, but otherwise it has been great! Milage on trip from Wisc to Calif in May averaged 29 mpg. We had days over 31, but S. Dakota headwinds dropped the overall average.

 

We've got a 4 cylinder 2007 Honda CR-V. You must get great mileage with your Subaru - we get 29 to 31 when not towing, and about 19 to 21 when towing. Wow!

 

We also have a 2009 Forester and we get 29-31 mpg but not while towing. Towing we get around 22.

 

Mea culpa, mea culpa - I got 29-31 on the way TO Wisc to get the trailer. the way back WITH the trailer was 24 (mostly interstates). I should know to look at the data properly before i publish it!

 

I tow with a 2002 Honda Accord 4 cylinder, auto trans with 209,000+ miles. 21 mpg towing @ 65 mph.

 

I've got a 2007 Subaru Forester LL Bean. We tow in the mountains a lot here in Oregon and the little Subaru does OK. On the steep pulls it's probably in 3rd gear and we're doing 45-50mph, but it's AWD gets me into and most importantly, out of some really nice spots. If we've got the boats on too, I get maybe 23mpg. I also own a TDI diesel Jetta VW, but not for towing. Feel the diesel will make a great tow vehicle, so next will be a Jetta TDI SportWagon.

 

We tow with a 2006 chevy malibu v6, without our teardrop we get 32mpg,with the teardrop we get 27-28 mpg doing 55mph!

Anna&Steve
550 Classic #269

 

We tow with a 2005 Jeep Liberty Diesel. Don't know mileage but it tows well especially here in the Colorado mountains,

 

Just noticed this thread because of the recent post.

Our TV is a 2008 Honda EX 4 cyl 5 spd manual. We get 31 mpg or so without the TD and around 23 mpg while towing, just about the same as the 2002 Honda above. We're pretty happy to be able to tow our 550 at all with such a small car. We have had more than a few people, in only 4 excursions with our trailer, mention that the TD looks good behind our car. And it does...

 

Anybody pulling a 560 with a Forester? Ours is a 2001 rated for 2000 pounds (1000 if no electric brakes). Never towed with it before. We will be upgrading to a mini-van in the next couple of years, but don't want to hold off on getting on the road. We are planning on a 560 with electric brakes. Cary mentioned some 560 owners use subarus. The posts I've seen seem to be for more 550s. I know Evan's CRV does fine with his 560, but others? Your thoughts?

 

Starlight,
We have a 2009 forester and a 560 and have no problem pulling it. We get on average 22 mpg. I think it is rated the same for towing as yours is.

 

Starlight,
We have a 2009 forester and a 560 and have no problem pulling it. We get on average 22 mpg. I think it is rated about the same for towing as yours is.

 

Thanks, Bruce! Glad to hear it's done well. This car has been everywhere and we're happy it can still go camping with us.

 

Starlight, don't forget that my 560 is only rated for #1,500. You should do great with your #2,000 rating.

 

Thanks, Evan. If yours is rated for 1500, we should be fine. :grin: We are going to see Eileen's 550 this weekend so that we can (fingers crossed) place an order next week...

 

Libertys are twitchy...Ive tried to pull a scotty with mine....fortunately it was 2 miles and one way. How does the drop pull? Any bad behaviors?

My guess is, at 1400 pounds the fuel usage was only affected by a small degree....that little diesel does a great job...

 

Sweeney,

You have a diesel Liberty? Cool! My brother has one of those, I love that thing.

We have a customer towing a 560 with her diesel Liberty. She is a member of this forum so hopefully she will chime in this.

Cary

 

We are setting up our 2009 Forester to tow a 550. What have Forester owners people used for controllers and where have you mounted it. Foresters don't have a lot of extra space around the driver's seat!

MaineGuide

 

MainGuide,

I have the Teknosha Prodigy P2 on my 2009 Subaru Forester. It is mounted below the steering column.

http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90885.html