Around Australia with a Subaru Forester?

I've met a few people travelling in Subarus, various models.

They seemed happy enough with them. Met two or three on the GRR.

You will need decent tyres on it though. Something a bit more Off Road than the standard I'd think. Not too sure about it's towing weights, but a fully loaded off road camper trailer will be up arount 1.2 to 1.4 tonnes.

Gday Pug8,
What others have said about tyres is right to some extent but dont be affraid of the GRR. Its just a dirt road with, if your going early in the season, 2 major obstacles, the Durack River, and more so the Pentecost River. Ive been along it for the past 5 years in a row, same time as your planing, and i do it in both directions each time. I've seen a few cars (2wd) along its length and none of them are pulled over with any problems. Im in a hilux 4x4 and i know nothing about towing, but just give it a go and you'll fall in love with the place like i have.

Pug8 we have a 2005 Forester X with 2 speed box and towed a 670kg (900kg loaded) camper trailer, 900kg Coromal Magnum Rally XC and now a Coromal Compac 402 Van all over the place. Bathurst (NSW) home to Ayres Rock, Kings Canyon, Cooper Pedy via Broken Hill. Also been to Cooktown and up the back road through all the creeks and rivers (7-8 crossings - no trailer on then though) and to lots of other remote places, Bourke, Thargominda and back down through Tibooburra & Menindee Lakes, Mungo NP twice and going back again.

Some very rough roads with the new van between Nockatunga and Tibooburra so we slowed to 5kph when required, drove to conditions with Yokohama A Drive tyres (equivalent of 8 ply I think but quiet).

With the camper trailer fully loaded I did stop on a steep incline once and had some difficulty taking off again as the Low Range isn't high or low enough, entry and exit points don't give you a lot of room to move and you have to be careful when travelling in extremely rough areas (not 4WD stuff) but in deep gutters and washaways, etc.

Mate we are happy with the Subie and are usually prepared to camp anywhere for a few days especially when we are out west a bit should we get caught up in some wet weather (unexpectedly).

If you should get stuck on a steep incline just kick the other half and the kids out till you get to a bit of level ground and all will be OK, I just don't stop on hills, even in suburbia.

Ope this is useful to you.

Regards Paul & Fiona

Met a couple in the Flinders Ranges in 09 that towed a CUB camper behind a Subaru. It was a small light on road one. It sound like you will not need high clearance for where you say you are going.
You may not need to go for a heavy weight off roader. Just keep it real light & you should have no problems.
As for tyres. A combination of speed & load is what kills tyres. Not roads.

I think you would have problems with the King Edward river in a subie if going to mitchell falls but no issues with the rest with decent tryres. its actually a very good dirt road

We travelled across the Tanami track towing an offroad trailer with an '84 Subaru wagon. Two teenage kids in the back, bikes, canoe.... what an adventure. Didn't do the Gibb River road, but came back down to Kalkaringi through on the Bucanan hwy. Broke a pin in the rear suspension... battery caught on fire.... a couple of punctures.... bogged the trailer. Lots more adventures. Enjoy... Subies can do anything... well the old ones anyway.

Pug8

Forrester's are gr8 little 4B's..no question about it..
Pic supplied is of a 16 y.o. ,,on "L" plates negotiating Big Red..

Image Could Not Be Found

To do the Gibb, it may pay you to think of a lift kit, (they are about), and that will get you almost anywhere, especially towing.

http://www.scorpionsubaru.com/product.htm

Please check out the abovr URL

Cheers
Bucky

Hi Pug, used to drive 4wd tour buses up GRR & to the M/ Plateau etc. GRR should not be a prob if vehicles and tyres are in good cond., but early in the season some of the crossings could be a prob. . .the Kalumburu M/Plateau Rds would have some reservations about mainly because of clearance. Have seen lots of broken vehicles and trailers on these tracks. If you can get up just after grading it's terrific. . . but goes down hill really quick. The Scoobys are great vehicles but have there limitations and any thing will break up there when it gets rough
Good luck
DriverDon