Any Subaru-specific advice on towing a light utility trailer?

 

I'm an experienced tower so I already know the general driving advice like leaving enough following distance and watching your inside radius, weight balance, watching your engine temp, braking techniques, etc. But all my experience is with RWD (yes, another Volvo defector). What I'm wondering is if there are any peculiarities to AWD or Subarus in particular that I should be aware of.

 

I'm towing a single-axil trailer with GVW around 800# or 350 Kg, 2010 Outback, manual shift, 4 cyl.

sounds just right for the application. the car should handle 1500 lbs with no sweat. i have towed 2500 and 3000 lbs behind a fwd gl sedan across 300 miles. but that kind of load is only safe with an experienced driver.

 

do you have a hitch alrteady? the commercially available ones (valley, curt from u-haul) are rated for 2500 lbs and 250 tongue, 1-1/4" drwawbar and 1-7/8" or 2" ball.

You'll be fine. The car will handle it. I towed 1000 lbs with my wrx wagon all the time and it pulled and stopped well.

I have no doubt the car will handle it ok.

 

I was pondering the time with the old car when the driver had to make a near-panic stop (I95 when the Greyhound decided to pull out in front of us). My son gave exactly the right amount of braking - exactly as much as needed to stay six feet off the bus' bumper. In that case, it's the brakes that mattered, not the driveline.

 

But what if we have to evade by steering? I'm presuming that you keep your foot on the gas and pray that the trailer comes with you, hopefully upright, hopefully still behind you.