Tow capacity for 2014 Outback

140

Asked by Journeytogether Mar 05, 2017 at 10:10 AM about the 2014 Subaru Outback

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Looking at a trailer that weighs 1575#, a T@B. Guy says it has a tong weight of 300lbs? Though rated to tow 2700#, with all gear and people in the car it would be closer to 2000#. May be traveling from Mass to Calif and back. Bad idea? Thoughts? Thanks.

8 Answers

Bad idea in my opinion. CVT's don't like loads and when they fail it will cost you a bundle. The Subaru cheerleader on this site will tell you otherwise but I would recommend a truck based SUV instead.

3 people found this helpful.
86,035

Journeytogether-- Hello, I'm the "CZ" ( Chief Zealot) for Subaru Outbacks here. LOL.. Actually, I'm just a pleased owner... I don't work for Subaru like some of the people think on this forum... It's probably true to some degree that CVTs are not as good as conventional transmissions, but, that's like saying that gas engines are not as good as diesel engines for pulling power, it's all relative, if you know what I mean.... The biggest challenge is what your overall weight will be with the TAB trailer. I recently looked at one of these to pull with my Outback, there's many different models and I determined that the base weight plus all the gear and fully loaded items would tip the scales closer to the 2,700 pounds limit. You NEVER want to be close to the limit when pulling a trailer...My fiberglass composite teardrop trailer weighs 1,000 pounds fully loaded and it is no PROBLEM at all for me. Even with the H6 engine, it can only tow 3,000 pounds or 300 more than the H4 engine. Here's some advice from someone I know about transmissions and acceleration below. Also, I'm including a picture of my rig for you. If I were you I would be VERY CAREFUL about checking the maximum tongue weight, usually 10 percent of the tow capacity.. that would be 270 pounds if you have the H4... Remember, you always want to have the tow vehicle be the heaviest part of the equation. IF you stay within the guidelines for weight and don't abuse your vehicle, it should tow just fine. IF my answer was helpful for you, please mark this as "best answer"... Good luck. Some expert advice on acceleration- On accelerating slowly: Inertial loads are the heaviest loads against which vehicles typically struggle (albeit briefly - acceleration capability, and therefore inertial load, halves every time speed doubles). Getting off the mark gently, generally, reduces driveling loads and therefore wear and tear considerably. Be extremely careful about backing up slowly with the trailer.

16 people found this helpful.
86,035

Journeytogether--. If you really want a TAB trailer, I'd recommend a larger more robust tow capacity.

86,035

A Toyota Highlander with the V6 engine would be great.

1 people found this helpful.
86,035

Any of these would work beautifully, they are all turbo diesel cars, http://www.autobytel.com/sport-utility-vehicles/car-buying-guides/9- of-the-best-diesel-suvs-116007/

2 people found this helpful.
48,020

Ignore all of Grasshopper's comments above. Simply, 300 lbs tongue weight is MUCH too high for the suspension of the OBs. Total mass isn't the issue here. Mark, PLEASE go away...!

2 people found this helpful.
10

Hello, am I able to attach something directly to the hitch, then park my 500 pound motorcycle on the back? Something like a luggage carrier, but for my bike? Seems like it would be too heavy for the car, maybe not? Thanks!!

1 people found this helpful.

SV650ohio. WAY too heavy. You would probably need a 3/4 ton pickup to handle that much tongue weight. Get a trailer.

Your Answer:

Outback

Looking for a Used Outback in your area?

CarGurus has 1,124 nationwide Outback listings starting at $2,995.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,210
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,310
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,300
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
37 Great Deals out of 1,342 listings starting at $3,995
Used Subaru Crosstrek
49 Great Deals out of 1,346 listings starting at $5,995
Used Toyota RAV4
117 Great Deals out of 3,077 listings starting at $3,900
Used Honda CR-V
199 Great Deals out of 5,017 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota 4Runner
27 Great Deals out of 529 listings starting at $9,999
Used Subaru Legacy
12 Great Deals out of 208 listings starting at $3,000
Used Subaru Impreza
26 Great Deals out of 667 listings starting at $5,990
Used Toyota Highlander
36 Great Deals out of 796 listings starting at $8,495
Used Toyota Tacoma
29 Great Deals out of 712 listings starting at $9,975
Used Toyota Camry
46 Great Deals out of 1,149 listings starting at $4,550
Used Mazda CX-5
84 Great Deals out of 3,121 listings starting at $6,999
Used Honda Pilot
39 Great Deals out of 782 listings starting at $1,130
Used Ford F-150
343 Great Deals out of 13,334 listings starting at $3,000

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.