TrailManor Owner's Forum  

Go Back   TrailManor Owner's Forum > TrailManor Technical Discussions > Towing and Hitching
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-30-2018, 10:25 AM   #1
Bailey'sMom
Site Sponsor
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 536
Default 2019 Subaru Ascent 5000# tow capacity

Hi All

I came across this today and was surprised to see a Subaru with 5000# tow capacity. I think that this is a brand new model for 2019. Wondered if anyone has one for towing.

https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/ascent/index.html

I won't need a new tow vehicle for a few years but I like to keep options in mind for when I do so I thought I would pass this along and see if anyone else has one and what their towing experience has been.
__________________
Sara & Sophie


(RIP Bailey - 12/6/2020)
Welcome Sophie DOB 1/5/2021
Mini Goldendoodle (who's not so mini)


New to me 2010. 2720SD TrailManor
New to me 2010 Chevy Traverse

Both purchased July 2013

Factory installed 80W solar panel.

New batteries June 30th 2018.
(SLIGC115 Duracell Ultra 6V Deep Cycle Golf Cart Battery x 2)
New bag seals Sept 2020
Rohent R7 HD 1080P RV Wireless Backup Camera Installed Sept 2020
Bailey'sMom is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2018, 12:25 PM   #2
Bill
Site Team
 
Bill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine
Posts: 10,088
Default

Nice looking vehicle.

It comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which makes me nervous. Am I just old-fashioned? Have these things improved that much? Padgett?

The specs say the tranny is an 8-speed CVT. What am I missing here? When did a CVT come with discrete gear ratios?

I see no mention of a factory towing package, but some versions have 2000 lb towing capacity, while others have 5000 pound rating.

Bill
__________________
2020 2720QS (aka 2720SL)
2014 Ford F-150 4WD 5.0L
Bill's Tech Stuff album
Bill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2018, 02:20 PM   #3
Bailey'sMom
Site Sponsor
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 536
Default

Yeah I have no idea what CVT is or how it works. I will be interested to see all the responses.
__________________
Sara & Sophie


(RIP Bailey - 12/6/2020)
Welcome Sophie DOB 1/5/2021
Mini Goldendoodle (who's not so mini)


New to me 2010. 2720SD TrailManor
New to me 2010 Chevy Traverse

Both purchased July 2013

Factory installed 80W solar panel.

New batteries June 30th 2018.
(SLIGC115 Duracell Ultra 6V Deep Cycle Golf Cart Battery x 2)
New bag seals Sept 2020
Rohent R7 HD 1080P RV Wireless Backup Camera Installed Sept 2020
Bailey'sMom is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2018, 09:52 PM   #4
Padgett
TrailManor Master
 
Padgett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Orlando
Posts: 2,796
Default

CVT has been around for a long time, think the first auto to use was the DAF Daffodil (1961) but has always been limited by the maximum power it could transmit since it is not geared but uses moving disks/pulleys and a belt/chain.

It appears that the Subaru unit is expected to handle 277 lb-ft of torque. Can find ratios here.

For more than you ever wanted to know about an earlier (6 speed) version see here.

Apparently they are able to create an illusion of gears by stopping the pulleys at fixed points.

Major drawback is poor efficiency compared to a lockup geared automatic. Since to get the max towing you have to go up from the base model. Interesting is that the Subaru is 6 inches longer than my Grand Cherokee.
__________________
Looking for a 24/17 in or near Florida.
Padgett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2018, 05:27 PM   #5
rickst29
yes, they hunt lions.
 
rickst29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,318
Default "Efficiency" seems great.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Padgett View Post
Major drawback is poor efficiency compared to a lockup geared automatic.
Your Vehicle is rated to get 16/23 MPG. Ascent is rated to gets 21/27 (slightly less with a "fancy oversized wheels" option.) Subi wins, by a lot.

The storage capacity is huge, and it's crash rating are nearly perfect - IIHS gave it a "top-pick plus" rating. But who's got $40K lying around to buy a brand-new monster SUV?
__________________
TM='06 2619 w/5K axle, 15" Maxxis "E" tires. Plumbing protector. 630 watts solar. 450AH LiFePO4 batteries, 3500 watt inverter. CR-1110 E-F/S fridge (compressor).
TV = 2007 4runner sport, with a 36 volt "power boost".
rickst29 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2018, 07:35 PM   #6
Padgett
TrailManor Master
 
Padgett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Orlando
Posts: 2,796
Default

True but wonder what will happen when towing, at 65 with a 2720SL I get 17-18 MPG of 87 PON. Suspect the same thing will happen with the Subi as with a 2.7 Ecoboost: add a trailer and MPG goes south quickly.

Also the base Ascent in not available with the towing package. Have to move up to the heavier Limited (20/26) for that.

Just some thoughts...

ps my Jeep is rated at 17/23 and usually gets 24.6 (measured) on the interstate with a 70 limit.
__________________
Looking for a 24/17 in or near Florida.
Padgett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2023, 11:35 AM   #7
NorCal Gordo
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 8
Default

Guessing this reply is a day late and a dollar short. I've comfortably towed with my '19 Ascent for a couple of years without issue using the OEM setup. The vehicle has substantial power and handles quite nicely. No need for WDH per manual. Getting 16ish mpg with my fully loaded '99 2720 on the longer trips which usually included varied terrain and weather (mountains and wind) as long as I keep the speed to 60-62. Usually slow down for the longer mountain grades and allow speed to pick up for the longer rides back down. Many might suggest that the CVT isn't the best transmission for towing but I'm driving in a way that hopefully doesn't put too much stress on it.
__________________
Cheers,
NorCal Gordo
'99 Trailmanor 2720QS
'19 Subaru Ascent
NorCal Gordo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
5000#, subaru ascent, tow vehicle


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Which SUVs to consider....your opinions please! TexasCamper Towing and Hitching 69 08-11-2016 11:44 AM
TM Batteries Bill TrailManor Technical Library 0 07-13-2007 09:56 AM
Tow Capacity ?s RollingStones Prospective Owner Questions 11 06-20-2007 09:52 PM
Towing a 2720SD with a Tacoma V6 manual dbrown Towing and Hitching 3 01-24-2005 11:15 PM
Honda Pilot - Tow Capacity; per Honda America Denny_A Towing and Hitching 4 08-23-2003 12:08 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:27 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 2022 Trailmanor Owners Page.