Towing and Launching

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,740
The outback has been around for a lot of years with a tow rating of zero to 3500# depending on year, model, and engine.

Which one do you have?

The boat has also been available in several configurations with total package weight of 1400-2200#

Which boat do you have?

Pretty sure you will have to add brakes to the trailer to remain within Subaru towing guidelines in the owners manual.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
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49,594
welcome aboard

what is the towing capacity of your car?
what is the total actual weight of your boat/motor/trailer/fuel/gear/beer/ice/passengers in the car/etc?

and then there is the brake thing that Roscoe mentions as most cars require brakes if the towed load is over either 1000# or 2000#
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,707
Definitely put brakes on the trailer, the Outback has good brakes but even a light trailer can push you through a red light.
 

Richard Larson

Recruit
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Feb 1, 2022
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2
I have a Subaru Outback 2021 with a 2.5 liter engine (no turbo). I'm looking at the Bass Tracker Classic XL. Would this work with brakes on the trailer?
 

tpenfield

Moderator
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Jul 18, 2011
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Welcome to iBoats . . .

Did you want us to look up the towing capacity of your vehicle (2,700 lbs) and compare it to the typical towing weight of your boat/trailer (probably around 2,200 lbs)?

Brakes may not be required at this low of a weight, but they still can be helpful. Check you state trailering requirements to be sure.
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,169
I have a Subaru Outback 2021 with a 2.5 liter engine (no turbo). I'm looking at the Bass Tracker Classic XL. Would this work with brakes on the trailer?
Your owner's manual will provide info re. your towing capacity and requirements for brakes. If you bought the car second hand and don't have a manual, google it and read it online.

I know nothing about subaroos but none of my little cars ever needed trailer brakes for a boat as light as 2200#.
 

matt167

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 27, 2012
Messages
4,154
Knowing a bit about Subaru's.. I would not tow with a JATCO CVT. I've seen some hokey trailer setups on Subaru's over the years but they seem to handle it ( I'd never try ). The best was an older outback with a 1 1/2" reciever hitch double adapted to 2 1/2" with a 4" drop reversed into a riser. It also had a 7 pin and a TBC. They were using it to tow a 20' camper and came in for new rear tires
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,864
The boat is listed at 1025 pounds. Add about 300 pounds for the trailer.


If the car is rated for 1500 pounds it should be fine. No trailer brakes are needed.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,740
page 440 of owners manual

2.5 L models
When towing a trailer without brakes.
Maximum total trailer weight - 1,000 lbs (453 kg)
 

Lowlysubaruguy

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
514
Well I’m all for it.
oh wait I own two Subaru repair shops.
where do you live if it’s flat and you drive it right maybe.
if you live in hills or drive fast highways NO

the CVT transmission runs about $8500 minimum to repair and the used ones are junk because no late model ones get bought by wrecking yards unless there junk all the salvage builders outbid them

myself I wouldnt tow a garden trailer behind one If that means anything but that’s just because I don’t like to do unnecessary major repairs on my own cars.

the six cylinder has a much higher tow capacity but that really is just to sell cars.
 
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