Can a subaru tow a drift boat or pop up camper?

[loganmike]

Updated the car search and have it narrowed down to a 2010 forester and a 2009 F150. I know completely different vehicles.

But the questions of the title are the most important. So what say ye?

me

[aaron]

I've heard roo's tow drift boats just fine, saw one with a good sized gregor behind it at loon lake a few weekends ago. I think your only issue would be a few of the gnarlier launch ramps around the state, although the newer foresters have increased clearance a bit.

[Mike R]

I echo what Aaron said. It's not so much a problem of towing it, it's a matter of ground clearance and tire size being able to get in and out of some of the launches on a lot of the rivers. The only river that comes to mind with "car friendly" ramps is the LSac. I can think of heavily used ramps on almost all our rivers that involves driving on gravel bars where those big cobbles love to bang the undercarriage.

See ya,
Mike

[caltagm]

The 2009 Forester has a towing capacity of 2400 pounds. A drift boat would be well within that amount. A tent trailer would probably push that up to near the maximum. But either way, you're still good to go.

Cheers.

[steelheadsicko]

those vehicles are tough as nails. I bought a 1990 legacy wagon P.O.S (piece of sh**)
for $500 and have been trying to break it and get it stuck for two years now and its still going strong.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

All those little 4 banger SUVs tow about 1500# so be careful how much additional weight you put into the boat. I would fully load the vehicle first and keep the load out of the boat.

The Toyota RAV4 with the V6 has the highest towing rating of all small SUVs - 3500#. Wheel base is a little short for towing though.

With the F150 you could have a pop-up camper and tow a drift boat too.

[Darrin.Deel]

My buddy mac used to tow his 17' lowe jet boat with his subaru outback. it was like a 98 and he would take his drift boat all over.

I would take a look at a rav4. my girlfriend has an 08 4spd auto 2wd and she loves it. 27 avg mpg. the thing could easily tow a drift boat

[wineslob]

All those little 4 banger SUVs tow about 1500# so be careful how much additional weight you put into the boat. I would fully load the vehicle first and keep the load out of the boat.

The Toyota RAV4 with the V6 has the highest towing rating of all small SUVs - 3500#. Wheel base is a little short for towing though.

With the F150 you could have a pop-up camper and tow a drift boat too.

I agree with Bill. Having a Ford Ranger (4 cyl) for nearly 20 years and then getting a F150 taught me a valuable lesson, theres no substitite for HP/towing cap.
I towed (many, many times/years) a Scamp trailer (13 footer) with the Ranger. 45 mph uphill was a GOOD speed, and this thing only weighed 1300 lb loaded.
I now have a 12' box tent trailer (1600 lb dry), and even with it loaded to the gills, the bed filled with camping "crap" I can still hit 55 uphill at 4000 ft+.
No matter what brand of SUV you want, always go for the highest tow rating.

[wineslob]

All those little 4 banger SUVs tow about 1500# so be careful how much additional weight you put into the boat. I would fully load the vehicle first and keep the load out of the boat.

The Toyota RAV4 with the V6 has the highest towing rating of all small SUVs - 3500#. Wheel base is a little short for towing though.

With the F150 you could have a pop-up camper and tow a drift boat too.

I agree with Bill. Having a Ford Ranger (4 cyl) for nearly 20 years and then getting a F150 taught me a valuable lesson, theres no substitite for HP/towing cap.
I towed (many, many times/years) a Scamp trailer (13 footer) with the Ranger. 45 mph uphill was a GOOD speed, and this thing only weighed 1300 lb loaded.
I now have a 12' box tent trailer (1600 lb dry), and even with it loaded to the gills, the bed filled with camping "crap" I can still hit 55 uphill at 4000 ft+.
No matter what brand of SUV you want, always go for the highest tow rating.

[BobVP]

Mike,
I own both a Forester and a F150 (six cylinder, long bed, extra cab). Both '99s.

I don't know what the engine is in the newer Forester you are looking at but the older 4 cylinder I have is plenty strong for pulling my raft trailer, which is essentially a drift boat trailer and probably the weight difference is minimal. I do need to down shift up those long grades.

The truck has plenty of power (automatic) and can haul anything on a trailer. I have hauled well over 5000 pounds with the right trailer; Dual wheel, long bed, well balanced load.

I am 6'2" and have had to sleep in the back of the Forester a couple of times (too late to bother with the tent when I was only going to sleep a few hours before fishing again...) and there is plenty of room.

I haven't liked taking my canoe on the top of the Forester over long distances. Big canoe on top of smallish car: Too much being blown around.

Good luck.