Subaru Ascent to tow 19

[lorrie]

Hi there,
We currently have a 17B that we have towed for many years with our Toyota Sienna AWD van with tow capacity of 3500#and have had no issues. We are currently looking to get a 19 but am assuming we would need to change our tow vehicle. We would need a TV that can also be used as a comfortable family hauler. Has anyone towed with a Subaru Ascent and if so how is it? Or does anyone have any other recommendations based on personal experience ie Kia Sorrento? Also, I know the 19 is under 3500 lbs, but I am assuming that the Toyota Sienna won't cut it. Anyone tow a 19 with a vehicle rated for 3500#? Would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

[salmo7000]

A new 19 will likely not be under 3,500 lbs with full water and propane tanks and all your stuff. Plus if you get options like A/C, solar, thermal windows, extra insulation, etc. that will add to the weight. The dry weight on mine with its options is 3,280 lbs, and I think it weighs at least 4,100 lbs fully loaded for travel. I don’t have a Subaru Ascent so I can’t speak to its towing ability, but I would hesitate to push its limits because of the CVT (transmission). I have a 2014 Forester and am a lifelong Subaru person. I worry about the CVT and its long term reliability and often wish I had opted for a manual transmission instead. Anyway, while it may be possible to keep a 19 under 3,500 lbs, I personally wouldn’t want to try.

[PM15283]

Doublecab or crew cab pickup will do both jobs very well.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by lorrie

Hi there,
We currently have a 17B that we have towed for many years with our Toyota Sienna AWD van with tow capacity of 3500#and have had no issues. We are currently looking to get a 19 but am assuming we would need to change our tow vehicle. We would need a TV that can also be used as a comfortable family hauler. Has anyone towed with a Subaru Ascent and if so how is it? Or does anyone have any other recommendations based on personal experience ie Kia Sorrento? Also, I know the 19 is under 3500 lbs, but I am assuming that the Toyota Sienna won't cut it. Anyone tow a 19 with a vehicle rated for 3500#? Would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

The Escape website states the tow vehicle needs to have 5000# towing capacity....not 3500# The Ascent is rated that and I have read good towing reviews. Also The Highlander is another vehicle used by owners here.

[steve dunham]

Escape lists the GVWR of the 19 at 5000 lbs , that would probably be a good reference point for choosing a tow vehicle

[Jstan]

I believe the Ascent is a 5000 lb tow vehicle, however only a 4 cylinder? We went with the v6 highlander given other's rave reviews.

[LoonCall]

Originally Posted by Jstan

I believe the Ascent is a 5000 lb tow vehicle, however only a 4 cylinder? We went with the v6 highlander given other's rave reviews.

I’m not an engine guy, but I was told the Ascent has more torque for towing than Highlander.

[Iowa Dave]

Going to take some time and some real world experience as you asked for. Each satisfaction with a tow rig can vary upon expectations, terrain, driving style etc.Some vehicles are used as a tow and a daily driver also, and for those who usually camp April through October there’s a Considerable part of the year where they don’t tow. Everyone has to evaluate their own style and research is an excellent tool to aid in making a choice. Best of luck
Iowa Dave

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by LoonCall

I’m not an engine guy, but I was told the Ascent has more torque for towing than Highlander.

First capture is Highlander, second is Ascent. From Car and Driver reviews.

[lorrie]

Thank you for your feedback everyone. Looks like more research online is needed and this forum has LOTS to wade through . Next step is to go test driving. Thanks again

[ChuckBC]

Take a look at the yellow label inside the door of the vehicles you like on the lot. Pay particular attention to payload and see how the same model but different optioned vehicles change. You'll find even with the Ascent there is a weight variation.
You know from your present vehicle/trailer that it's amazing what some of them can tow. However, are you doing it safely?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by salmo7000

A new 19 will likely not be under 3,500 lbs with full water and propane tanks and all your stuff. Plus if you get options like A/C, solar, thermal windows, extra insulation, etc. that will add to the weight. The dry weight on mine with its options is 3,280 lbs, and I think it weighs at least 4,100 lbs fully loaded for travel.

Agreed. Even the classic 19’s with GVWR of 4000# are likely pushing that when fully loaded to camp. I think our last scale reading was 3860#. Lorrie please do not tow a 19 with a vehicle rated for 3500#. Attached is what Escape currently recommends.

[Rossue]

People are gonna do what they want too much of the time. We saw Gen1 19 towed with a Lexus 400H(Hybrid)-3500# rating. Owner sold his trailer last year, always wondered how the Lexus held up. Another here boasted of using a Toyota Venza- same 3500# rating to tow a Gen2 19. Didn't care what people here were saying. So damn the ratings and pass the torpedoes!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Jstan

I believe the Ascent is a 5000 lb tow vehicle, however only a 4 cylinder?

Did you know that the heavy trucks which haul 40 tons down the highways have six cylinder engines? The diesel engine available in the Colorado/Canyon pickup which is so highly praised by owners who tow with it has four cylinders. The size of the engine does matter, and so does turbocharging, but the number of cylinders doesn't.

[lorrie]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Agreed. Even the classic 19’s with GVWR of 4000# are likely pushing that when fully loaded to camp. I think our last scale reading was 3860#. Lorrie please do not tow a 19 with a vehicle rated for 3500#. Attached is what Escape currently recommends.

My husband agrees 100% that it would be foolish to tow a 19 with our Toyota Sienna. Not only would it be pushing the limit and potentially dangerous, it makes the insurance null and void. So no, we won't be towing a 19 with our Sienna, but she sure has been a fantastic TV for our 17B.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by lorrie

My husband agrees 100% that it would be foolish to tow a 19 with our Toyota Sienna. Not only would it be pushing the limit and potentially dangerous, it makes the insurance null and void.

Only if the trailer's actual weight (not the GVWR) exceeds the Sienna's ratings... but of course, that's likely without extreme restraint in options and loading.

[mlandry63]

My 2019 19' definitely weighs more than 3,500 looks! With water and propane plus other accessories and my own stuff, it's likely to be about 4,000 lbs. Do not tow it with anything less than 4,500 to 5,000 towing capacity please.

Actually, I would love to upgrade to a 6,000 lb limit like a Grand Cherokee or the like

Good luck

[calvinc]

Originally Posted by lorrie

Hi there,
We currently have a 17B that we have towed for many years with our Toyota Sienna AWD van with tow capacity of 3500#and have had no issues. We are currently looking to get a 19 but am assuming we would need to change our tow vehicle. We would need a TV that can also be used as a comfortable family hauler. Has anyone towed with a Subaru Ascent and if so how is it? Or does anyone have any other recommendations based on personal experience ie Kia Sorrento? Also, I know the 19 is under 3500 lbs, but I am assuming that the Toyota Sienna won't cut it. Anyone tow a 19 with a vehicle rated for 3500#? Would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

I have a Forester with CVT. I wouldn't trust a CVT for towing.

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by calvinc

I have a Forester with CVT. I wouldn't trust a CVT for towing.

Based on? The Forester with CVT is rated for 1500 lbs. Ascent for 5000. It's built differently.

[calvinc]

Based on the difference in their mechanical operating principles. CVT is a chain and is only as strong as its weakest link. Traditional transmission or manual transmission uses gears which are physically stronger. Not to mention other factors such as cost of repair should something go wrong with the CVT. That's why pick-up trucks designed for heavy towing never comes with a CVT.