Full racecar
 

Wife and I are looking at buying a Subaru Ascent. Have some apprehension about buying the first model year of anything, but they're otherwise nice.

On to my devious plans.... Having a third car means I can go full racecar with the BRZ. Have a new clutch sitting in my office waiting for me to install it, but if (when) we get a third car, I won't have to worry about how long it takes me to install it. Considering (eventually) building the FA20, and having a spare vehicle will let me do that too.

My concern is the 5000lb towing capacity on the Ascent. I hope to be able to tow the car for tunings, track days, and stuff, but am not sure the Ascent can do it.

Does anyone have experience towing an 86 with a 5000lb towing capacity vehicle? Any recommendations on a trailer?

Thanks!

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Well, an 86 weighs 2700 lb. Trailers that can handle car duty seem to come in a bit under 2000 lb based on search results. That puts you just under the 5000 lb limit, so it should be technically safe to do so. Disclaimer, I have 0 actual experience with towing.

That's about where I'm at. Looking for folks who have any experience pulling a car (plus tools and wheels) with a midsized SUV.

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Don't forget that towing limit also includes people and junk in trunk. See if they offer a towing package that will allow for a bit more.

Plenty of single axle light weight trailers (1500kg) that would suit your needs.

Trailer weights about 500kg.

Total lb = 4410lb

That should see the car, trailer fuel, spare rims and some tools, all under your capacity.

This is not taking into consideration the ability of the car to tow this weight "up/down" a big hill, towing pack and/trans coolers may be required.


Enjoy

Was not aware towing limit takes passenger and other cargo into account, but it makes sense when I think about it. I don't expect any hills currently, but this is all good info. Was hoping someone had done this already. I guess I'll have to try my luck. Thanks everyone.

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If Subaru can post this on the site, I can’t see a small car on a light trailer being a problem.

GCWR is 6001, curb weight around 4500 lbs. Max tongue weight at 500 lb you still have 1000 lb to play with in gear and people in the car. As well at the remaining 4500 out back.

Throw a trailer brake on it and tow away. It’s under warranty, stay under the published ratings and you’re good.


https://www.subaru.com/content/dam/s...feature_04.jpg

Flat tow the car and you won't have to worry about the weight at all. Can this car be flat towed? I don't actually know the correct answer to this.

Is the 5000lb towing capacity refer to the rear hitch and frame being able to withstand 5000lbs, or is it the tug/pull capacity from a static start or up a hill at 30% grade, or what?


It seems like the thing to know is what the vehicle can handle up a grade and what the car's brakes can reasonably stop. The force on the hitch or the engine during flat-road, static speeds will be a fraction of the trailer's weight and the engine's abilities; it takes very little energy to keep a vehicle at 55mph, and a person balancing the trailer perfectly on the wheel could (in theory) use a single digit to steady the trailer, so forces on the hitch in static situations may not be much.

5000 pounds is what it can tow with reasonable expected use. Crossing the Rockies every weekend? Probably need a trans cooler or a bigger truck.

You don’t load a trailer with 0 tongue weight. The tongue weight factors in with the gvwr, the whole setup is under gcwr.