I'm posting about this combination since there isn’t a lot of information for it online and because this forum was helpful when we were planning for a new Scamp.  We picked up our Scamp 16 (layout 6) a month ago and have towed it about 2000 miles on a range of roads: mostly 2-lane paved highways and county roads, some Interstate highway, and some gravel; a mix of plains and mountains.  We’re very happy with the combination. 

The Scamp tows very comfortably with any reasonably well-balanced load (not great but not terrible if water tanks aren't balanced with other weight). Acceleration is good including on freeway onramps.  Power and handling while climbing or descending steep grades is excellent.  That has included several trips into the Missouri River valley in the Charlie M Russell NWR with maximum grades of 7-8% or more for about one mile on each side.  Easy climbing, smooth descents, and comfortable braking at turnoffs on steep grades.  We feel safe and in control.

The Scamp matches the width of the Ascent nicely, and visibility with standard mirrors is good except if vehicles are very close behind.

Weve been getting from 12 to 18 mpg depending mainly on speed (mostly 55-65 mph on pavement and 15-35 mph on gravel). Headwinds have a noticeable effect.  Getting 15-16 mpg seems realistic for how and where we drive.

The Ascent is a decent compromise as a daily driver and tow vehicle for us.  Over the years we have driven Subaru Outbacks and Foresters and various small and mid-sized pickups and vans.  Based on experience towing with smaller Subarus, I would only use them for short, local camping trips with the 16 ft Scamp, as much for wear and tear as power or handling.  If our life called for a pickup, we might get one of the more fuel-efficient pickups instead.  If we didn’t need to tow more than our drift boat, we would stick with an Outback or Forester.

Some details:  We have a dealer-installed hitch with 7 and 4-pin connections, no anti-sway bar, and the Autowbrake.  Our Ascent (Onyx) is rated for towing 5000 lbs and 500 pounds maximum tongue weight. Subaru does not allow use of weight distributing hitches or anti-sway devices (due to unibody construction and electronic anti-sway control).  We turn off the lane following feature.  We travel with the camper loaded fairly lightly (maybe 2200 pounds but haven’t weighed) and some of our gear plus two large dogs in the Ascent.  We live in southwest Montana with a mix of mountains and plains.