hello everyone. I am close to retirement and I've been looking at travel trailers for a while and think I have narrowed it down to small eggs and particularly the Scamp. I know this question has been asked previously by I want to know about towing with a Subaru Outback . I have a 2019 Outback 3.6 touring model with a factory hitch and towing package. I see that I will need a half inch receiver so that probably needs to be changed and changes other things I am using it for. I have towed many trailers but mostly boats and other things but never a travel trailer. I plan to make a trip from Florida to the Southwest in late February. If weather permits might like to meander up to Wyoming.
What are my choices? If any. I think I can tow the 13 but is the 16 doable? Thanks very much from any replies
The 200 lb tongue weight limit on the Outback Subie's have been the limiting factor. Not much metal for the hitch in the Outback rear end. A S-13 with a single LP tank will get you real close to the 200 lb limit. Most dual tank Scamps come in at 240 lbs.+ from the factory. Two others and myself have got a S-16 down close to the 200 lb limit. We all agree that it was too much for the Subie and we no longer try to tow a S-16. There are quite a few subie's towing S-13's. I towed mostly flatland with my 4 cyl. Not sure if I would be happy in the high mountains out west. A stock S-16 DX with front bath with single tank has an extremely light tongue and will meet the 200 tongue weight limit but that trailer really needs to have a sway bar and better weight distribution. (Just my opinion.)
Eddie
We have a 2017 Outback 3.6 (not touring). The 6 cylinders tow our 16' Scamp (not deluxe) well. We did have to get a different hitch so that the ball would be at the recommended height. Also, we tended to get a little sway on the interstate after that, so we have since added a sway bar, but haven't had a chance to be on the road to test it out. Specs for our Outback say she can tow 2700 pounds and our specs for our Scamp say that she weighs in at 1700. Someday we should probably go some place where we can actually weigh both parts when we are traveling and fully loaded.
Daphne M. Hall
Aren't you exceeding your tongue weight? I was told that was a big no no..... 200 pounds . How long have you been towing it and have you been on any long trips? Mountain?
I don't really know if I'm exceeding my tongue weight. I'm sure I should figure it out. We've been towing it since October. 5 or 6 long weekend trips to the north Georgia Mountains. Nothing like the mountains out west! I'll do some research about figuring that out.
Daphne M. Hall
And thank you!
Daphne M. Hall
Raising the ball transferred weight to the wheels from the hitch, probably causing the sway. Try moving some of the things that ride in the trailer toward the front. Yes, you should weigh both parts to be sure sure you have 10-15% on the hitch.
We definitely figured out to move things to the front, and that helped, but I'm hoping the sway bar will help even more! I'm glad to know that weighing both parts will help me know how much weight is on the hitch.
Thanks!
Daphne M. Hall