Jayco Swan or Cavalier Camper Trailer too heavy for Subaru Outback 2.5i?
Submitted: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 15:25
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Mymble
I have a '07 Subaru Outback 2.5i auto tow capacity 1500kg/750kg. Down ball is 150kg I think.
Car purchased a month ago and does not have a tow ball fitted as yet - lucky me the car was a gift from mum - and it is what she wanted to buy me - though sometimes I regret not getting something bigger even though we don't need a bigger car most of the time!
I have just about enough budget to buy something to tow; OR could blow it on some '
gold coast apartment style holidays' over the next few years! Up to $10k is the budget but prefer to spend less than that.
I'd like to have some creature comforts as we are 40/45 & tall with bad backs. We have two kids 1yr and 4 yrs old.
We have a Freedom Tourer 1310 tent which is lovely but sitting in the garage! Not much space inside Subie for tent when you put all the other gear in!
We need to
camp over next few years $ wise and I think I will enjoy it provided we have the right gear.
My question is would we be better off with the Jayco Eagle or Swan long term, or will it be too heavy for the auto Subie once you add gear/food/bikes/hubby's surf board etc..
I do like the Cavalier style camper and they suggested a rough road model but I suffer in the cold...bbrrrr! That would be the lighter option and would have the advantage of getting us into out of the way national parks etc.
My bucket list is: Uluru, Top end, Ahrnem land, Fraser Is, NSW and WA coast and any ol' beach will do!
P.S. Hubby and I enjoy nature walks, wildlife etc so the trad family
Gold coast holiday not an option as everyone and their dog will be along too! :)
Reply By: wizzer73 - Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 16:37
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 16:37
We used to tow a jayco finch with an auto tucson V6 2.7. Has 1500kg tow limit. The finch only weighed about 850kg from memory. We would find the car struggled quite a bit. This was fully loaded 2 adults 2 kids and all our gear plus kitchen sink lol. It was ok towing on short trips but the long trips i was worried the engine or gearbox would overheat with the load. oh and the fuel economy went out the door.
cheers
wizzer
AnswerID:
455353
Reply By: Member - Brian R (WA) - Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 17:05
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 17:05
Hi Mymble
As you will see from my profile, we have a 2006 Forester which tows an A'Van Sportliner which weighs around the same as you are looking at. The Outback has the same size motor.
One thing that might be of help, the down ball is 75 kg unless a stabiliser is fitted and that is a 50mm hitch not a 40mm
hope that is of some help
Brian
AnswerID:
455355
Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 09:21
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 09:21
I recall reading a review recently ,Overlander maybe, of the Subie pulling a Swan &
it appeared to struggle with the weight. I'm guessing the van was empty too, as it was a new one lent by jayco. Maybe try one for yourself...a
test tow so to speak, but
you must consider the loaded weight. As you say,a cavalier type will be easier to tow,
more versatile, with much more storage than a wind up. I doubt the temp will be much different in either type. cheers......oldbaz.
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