Towing Capacity?

[DD05294]

I'm looking into buying a pop-up camper, but I'm getting some mixxed messages and if any one could help clarify that would be great.

We would tow the pop-up with a 2002 Subaru Outback, which the RV dealer says can tow up to 1,500 lb.  They also said that the towing weight would include what we carry in the car as well, so if the pop-up weighed 1,200 we could only carry 300 lbs in the car.

I went to our Subaru dealership and they said the car can tow 2,000 lbs, which doesn't include what we have in the car.  So they are saying we could tow up to 2,000lbs and have around 950lbs in the car and be okay.

Who do I believe?

[tlhdoc]

I did a quick search for the tow capacity of your Subaru.  If it has the 2.5 I4 SOHC engine, the information I found says it can tow 2000 pounds.  In your owners manual it should tell you how much weight is included in the vehicle.  ex:my vehicle includes a 150 pound driver, any other weight in the vehicle including accessories comes off of the tow capacity.  I don't know is Subaru offers a tow package or if your vehicle has one.  If it does not I would recommend adding a tranny cooler and you might need to beef up the suspension in the rear end of the vehicle.  

A rule of thumb when towing is to only tow 75% of your towing capacity.  2000 pounds  X .75 = 1500 pounds.
 
Good luck.

[cb]

Another rule of thumb---don't trust the dealers to know what they're talking about!

[DD05294]

Another rule of thumb---don't trust the dealers to know what they're talking about!

Do you mean the RV dealer or the Car dealer?

[beancounter]

Be sure to watch the tongue weight limit as well. I believe you have a 200# limit on the Outback.
 
Maybe we could help a little more if you could tell us what your GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight) limit is. You should be able to find this either in your manual or on the manufacturers pruduction label usually found on the driver's side door or door frame.

[abbear]

I would not trust either of the dealers.  And what we are giving you is advice from OUR experience - but we don't have every piece of the puzzle in front of us.

So that means the only one you can really trust is yourself.  Read the owners manual for your car! I bet all the info you need is in there.

As for rules of thumb about how much you should tow - well, if Subaru says you can tow 2000lbs I would say thats what you can tow.  Don't think they don't have a safety factor built in already.

Where most people get into trouble is not taking into account what they have in the vehicle as well as tongue weight and actual weight of the camper.  Be realistic in your calculations, realize that you have several weight limits to consider (gross weight of the car, gross weight of the camper, rear axle load capacity of the car, gross combined vehicle weight), and realize if you fudge on these who is going to be at risk (you and your family, for starters).

So now get your car owners manual out, get out the brochures for that pop up, get a pencil and some paper and start using all that math you learned in school.  Do it the right way and you'll feel much better about your decision (we will, too).

Let us know how your research comes out - we learn from these things too!

Best of luck to you.

[Campaholics]

I think whatever number you develop, should be derated with the 75% rule.  This will cover hills, mountains to an Illinois flatlander are a whole different ball game, the optimistic estimates on how much stuff you bring (we have lots of camping toys), etc.

Bob

[David Roder]

If you have a 2000lb towing capacity you can tow up to 2000 pounds.
Next you have to figure out what your payload capacity is.  Anything added to the car above your curb weight is decreasing your payload.  your curb weight is the vehicle, all fluids including a tank of gas, and all the features and options that were installed at the factory.  
Your payload is all cargo, people and options installed after it was purchased.  The other thing that will count towards your payload is tongue weight.
The tongue weight is the weight your trailer places on the back of your tow vehicle.

From my experience with 4 cylinders even if it is a larger one like 2.5 it is not a good idea to max out your tow capacity and your payload capacity.  I think the 75% rule is a good one for that type of vehicle.  

just my .02