I'm moving from Oregon to the east coast (South Jersey) and considering my options for how to move my stuff. I have an '87 GL wagon with 240k miles that's been reliable for the last 5 years, and I'm wondering if I should haul a trailer with it for that distance. I have a hitch rated at 2000 pounds and I could save a lot of money renting a trailer vs renting a truck. But I'm wondering if that would be pushing my luck. It would really suck to be stuck in the middle of nowhere in winter with a dead car and a rented trailer full of my stuff.

 

What do you say?

Edited January 20, 20179 yr by OregonYeti

I've towed 1000lbs with a GL. That's about the limit. Never went more than a few tens of miles.

 

If you consider it, a very thorough cooling system inspection and maintenance would be a good idea.

Thanks, Dave T. I might do better reducing my amount of stuff more to where I can fill my car and use rooftop storage, and skip the trailer. My car's not in top shape.

Edited January 21, 20179 yr by OregonYeti

It would really suck to be stuck in the middle of nowhere in winter with a dead car and a rented trailer full of my stuff.

 

 

What do you say?

 

 I think you nailed it .  Given the time of year and distance, I would lean towards renting a truck.

I apreciate the responses. No matter how much we love our Subarus, they have their limits

You're going the wrong way. Trust me just stay there lol

You're going the wrong way. Trust me just stay there lol

 

Haha, I'm moving 'cause my mom's not in good shape. I will probably move back to Oregon again some time.

Hey I'm sorry to hear that and wish her well. Have yourself a safe trip. Where abouts in Pennsylvania will you be?

I'll be in Kennett Square with my sis at first and then moving to somewhere in SE PA, N DE or S NJ. Thx I75

Edited January 26, 20179 yr by OregonYeti

I don't know what your job situation is, I'm basing this solely on my experience, NJ has extremely high cost of living. Rent, etc. It's really difficult out there and that's why I moved to Pennsylvania. Thing about PA is work is a bit scarce in places. I'm in South PA.

You can only pull a small trailer with a GL, and only if it has no profile that is larger than the GL itself.  You could crack your cylinder heads if you try to drive above 60 mph.

Really appreciate the advice! Thanks. I'm just taking my car full of stuff, no trailer. What hurts the most is leaving my Polk Audio RTi-A7s behind. Better than being stuck in the middle of Wyoming with no heat and no engine LOL

Edited February 6, 20179 yr by OregonYeti

You can only pull a small trailer with a GL, and only if it has no profile that is larger than the GL itself.  You could crack your cylinder heads if you try to drive above 60 mph.

I've never heard of this as a result of towing at speed. Too much heat is what kills cylinder heads.

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

obituary

My car died just east of Salt Lake City. Busted timing belt and whatever else might have resulted. RIP and I hope the organ donations (parts) will be helpful to other Subarus. I'm keeping the plates CL96563. Goodbye old friend. Renting a car for the rest of the way to the east coast. I wasn't towing a trailer but I did drive it around 80 mph thru Idaho and in Utah, pushing my luck. I was carrying about 800 pounds of stuff. Good thing I wasn't towing a trailer because towiing the dead car and the trailer woulda been more complicated.

Edited February 13, 20179 yr by OregonYeti

Timing belts breaking is no big deal on ea82s. Replace the belts and idlers, good to go. Yes it's inconvenience, but not fatal to the engine.

What DaveT said !

  That's why we leave the covers off.   Makes replacing timing belts about a 30 minute job.    Sorry to hear about the breakdown.   If you're not in a rental car yet, then maybe some forum members are close to you and can help ... a lot of them in the Legacy section.