Subaru Outback rated at 2700 tow capacity

[RLEs-AIR]

I have a 2017 Subaru Outback that, when I check the engine type to determine its tow capacity (2.5L H4 DOHC FB25), it indicates 2700 lbs max. I saw a 2005 TrailManor that I love along with the entire concept. Do they make newer models, and if so, where do I find them?
Also, will my Subaru pull it, or should I plan on either getting something else or rent a truck to pull to its location (I'm camp hosting on California Central Coast) until I can sell my Subaru (against friends' recommendations dur to longevity and reputations of Subarus) and purchase a small truck (considering Ford Maverick EcoBoost). I would love your thoughts.

 

[Shane826]

Subaru Outback and Ford Maverick are both not gonna be able to properly tow (and more importantly, stop) a TrailManor. You really want something with at least 5,000lbs tow capacity and a towing package including 7-pin connector for the trailer.

 

[RLEs-AIR]

Thank you. Why so much tow capacity when dry weight of TrailManor is 2700? If I remove the propane and don't fill the water, would that help?

 

[Bill]

Why so much tow capacity when dry weight of TrailManor is 2700?

Unfortunately, dry weight is not directly useful in terms of towing, because the dry weight is not what you will be towing. "Dry weight" is the weight of the bare-bones basic trailer before the factory adds any of its options, such as an air conditioner, awning, sometimes the battery, and a ton of small things - all of which can easily total 300-400 pounds. Then you add all the "stuff" you will put in the trailer, such as food, clothes, dishes, bedding, TV, radio, computer, tools, cords, hoses, hitch accessories, added furniture like a camp chair or two, maybe a carpet or screen room - stuff you will need when you are camping. If you are doing season-long hosting, you will likely want to bring a lot of "stuff". And finally, there are camping necessities like water and propane which, as you point out, you can go fetch after you are unhitched and set up at your campsite.
. . An important point that many people miss is that if you move "stuff" from the trailer to the truck, you lighten the trailer but you also decrease the towing capacity of the truck by the same amount, pound-for-pound. Makes sense, since the truck still has to move (and stop!) the weight, no matter where it is carried. This fact - the effect of cargo on the tow rating - is always mentioned as part of the truck's tow rating spec, but always obscurely. If you hunt for it, it will be there.
. . Current specs for a 2518, the smallest standard model, list dry weight as 2600 pounds. But at the bottom line, it is quite common for an owner to find that his ready-to-camp TM is in the 3600 pound range, sometimes exceeding 4000 pounds for a larger model such as a 2720. As Shane points out, this is what your tow vehicle has to handle, safely, including steering it and stopping it. Be safe out there!

 

[Bill]

Just as an example of the effect of cargo weight on towing capacity, I went to the Ford web site to find the towing capacity of a Maverick. Each time a spec number is mentioned, it is accompanied by a footnote symbol or an asterisk. If you follow the asterisk, it says
"Max towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, and number of passengers."
That doesn't tell you much, but if you follow the chain even further (into a Ford Towing Guide, for example), you find that the listed towing capacity is based on no cargo, a driver weighing 150 pounds, and no passengers.

To be safe on the road, and avoid beating up your tow vehicle, it is important to know what "dry weight" and "towing capacity" mean.

 

[kjfatl]

Do they make newer models, and if so, where do I find them?

Trailmanor does have a small number of dealers. The locations are shown on their website.

Dealers

Find Your Nearest Dealer We are actively building our dealer base. Contact the SALES OFFICE at TrailManor for more information.

trailmanor.com

 

[Bill]

You might look at the new TM 16 trailer. It is an upright model (not collapsible) with a listed dry weight of 2560 pounds. The good news is that the dry weight appears to include an air conditioner and awning, the two heavy-weight items. You might find it quite small for full-timing over an extended period such as campground hosting, but of course that is your call.

As before, the Subaru isn't going to cut it, but with very light loading, the Maverick Ecoboost has a chance "WHEN PROPERLY EQUIPPED". Once again, be sure you know what "Properly Equipped" means. Although the Maverick Ecoboost is usually listed in the advertising with a 4000 pound tow rating, the asterisk reveals that this rating applies only if it has the AWD option and the factory tow package. Without these, the tow rating is 2000 pounds.

 

[NorCal Gordo]

Had a 2720 that I comfortably towed with a Subaru Ascent. The Ascent had 5k towing capacity and the 2720 was well within limits for both tongue weight and total towing weight. Even with that, as it has a CVT tranny, I was quite careful to watch my speed; especially traveling up longer grades. Also, I try to keep total towing weight no more than 80% of the vehicles capacity. If you are looking to tow, you definitely need more than the Outback. The Outback can handle a light to moderate pop-up camper at most. Especially here in Cali with the nearby mountains and twisty roads by the coast. I've since gone to a 3124 and replaced the Ascent with a truck. Happy camping!