New Guy for the first time

NewGuy

Five years ago I purchased a 2013 Little Guy 5 wide years and a  2012 Subaru outback 4 cylider (CVT Transmission).  After 90k miles transmission went and lucky for me Subaru covered under warranty.  I never told them I towed  trailer over 30k miles.   After all the bad press regarding the CVT I sold the 2012 and purchased a 2014 (12k miles) 6 cylinder also a Subaru  hoping for better luck..  The 2014 does not use the CVT so I figured between the non-CVT and larger engine I should be ok.

I know there are a lot of Subaru folks so any thoughts on if I will be lucky with a different car?

Sharon_is_SAM

General consensus is to use a 6 cylinder vehicle.  Lots of subaru Outback owners towing their TaBs here and the latest discussion includes the new Ascent.  I suspect you will find some folks using the Outback over on the TaG forum.

NewGuy

well I am half way there, 6 cylinder seems to be a winner any comments on the CVT?

jgram2

Hi @NewGuy searching on CVT gives you 3 pages to read! 

NewGuy

Thank You I will do that!!

N7SHG_Ham

I don't own or tow with a Subaru, but for the 2018 models I found this on a dealer Web page: 

Subaru Towing Capacity By Model

• 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
  Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs. max tow rating
• 2018 Subaru Forester
  Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs. max tow rating
• 2018 Subaru Outback
  Towing Capacity: 2,700 lbs. max tow rating
• 2019 Subaru Ascent
  Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs. max tow rating

Please note that those ratings may not apply to ALL cars of a particular model since they say MAX. I know for instance the new Ascent requires certain trim levels to reach that MAX. Certainly for a T@B 400 outside of the Ascent properly equipped no other Subaru model would be adequate, YMMV for the smaller trailers.

pthomas745

Here are a couple of pages of Subaru threads:

https://www.google.com/search?ei=5OkWXI2UEcuh0wKviarIAw&q=subaru+cvt++site:tab-rv.vanillaforums.com&oq=subaru+cvt++site:tab-rv.vanillaforums.com&gs_l=psy-ab.3...2738.9137..9393...0.0..0.94.1544.25......0....1..gws-wiz.JgRVovBTXFA

Homebodyatheart

@NewGuy if you’re looking at the Ascent you need to know that the base model tows less than 5000#, but that the next three models up are rated for 5000#. As much as we loved our Subaru Outback it was 4cyl and I won’t tow my Tab with less than 6cyl anything. We traded an Outback for a low mileage 2015 Highlander when we ordered the Tab. It makes towing simple!We’ve also now got the Ascent Limited and it’s good driving a Subaru again! Have fun test driving tv’s and figuring it all out. 

NewGuy

Thanks everyone for the great info.  I ended up purchasing a 2014 Subaru Outback 3.6 with non CVT Transmission,  it had only 12k miles.  I flew to Salt Lake and reach home in Calif today.

mreric

how was the cvt maintained?  at 90k with towing i am guessing you should have changed fluid about 3 times..