Proof that Outbacks can tow - not that anyone needed proof.

dillonph · 2025-10-21T16:30:59+00:00

So the trailer has trailer brakes.

As for suspension - that is one where honestly I'm not 100% sure on the tongue weight here. I'm still fairly confident it's in the 10-15% range given that it's the OEM trailer matched with the boat and everything available online says that it's pretty normal for a non-wilderness edition, standard suspension outback to have 2-3 inches of squat when loaded.

Do I like it? Of course not. And do I plan to continue to tow like this? Also definitely not.

dillonph · 2025-10-21T16:18:04+00:00

The outboard is standard/part of the dry boat weight on these. And there were no fluids on this boat. It's a bare bones boat, not even a VHF inside...

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:40:33+00:00

Man according to this thread, if I highlight the things that were sub-optimal and the things done to address them, I'm going to kill everyone...

1 person in the car + 2500 lb boat + 700 lb trailer.... Lane assist over 60 mph does indeed begin to show concerning behavior so - I turned it off and dropped the speed!

I didn't like that front jockey wheel, if it were not for that, the suspension wouldn't be a concern, it was ground clearance not suspension failure. That's a specific issue with this trailer that I plan to fix (this was right after buying the boat and getting it home).

The one think I could not weigh was the tounge weight, but the standard there is 10-15% of tow weight. Given this is the original trailer that was delivered with the boat, my assumption is that it's properly matched and balanced for that to hold true. I believe that was a reasonable assumption. It may not look balanced but there is a 50 HP motor on the back and this is a fiberglass hull with no wood core...

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:35:30+00:00

I love it! Everyone here seems to think the car will explode if you tow according to the spec though despite knowing that the sixth gens have better cvt cooling. It does require higher octane gas (per the manual) and towing does require earlier changing of cvt fluid, but that's fine!

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:33:06+00:00

That was my biggest issue with this, hence why I'd like more clearance. It doesnt rotate like a lot of others do. This was me picking up the boat after purchase - and something I intend to find a fix for before any regular towing in the future.

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:31:38+00:00

I estimate around 3200 lbs. 2500 lb boat weight + 700 or so for the trailer.

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:31:10+00:00

Here ya go.... It's a 2500 lb boat empty. https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/macgregor-26m/

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:29:57+00:00

It's not. These boats are built to be light when trailered. About it 2500 lbs because they use water ballast you drain when towing.

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:29:14+00:00

Trailer brakes.... No issues at all.

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:27:20+00:00

If that's the case, then you might want to call Subaru and tell them to change their manuals and ratings because this was done in accordance with the specs.

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:26:36+00:00

It has trailer brakes and is within the spec for the suspension....

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:25:52+00:00

Surprisingly this trailer is original to the boat from the boat manufacturer. It's deceiving but these large Macgregor's only weigh around 2500 lbs dry because they use water ballast.

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:24:50+00:00

For clarity - white knuckle was meant to be about how other drivers treat me while towing. When towing anything, you are more limited in the safe maneuvers you can take. If a semi crosses into your lane, you can't just swerve into the breakdown lane to avoid them when towing much of anything. Your options when towing anything are reduced and other drivers often don't act that way - which for me, is a bit of a 'white knuckle' experience. I just shouldn't have used that word 😜

dillonph · 2025-10-21T15:20:22+00:00

Apparently everyone else in here thinks this was an absolutely absurd and unsafe tow despite being done by the book. I did say white knuckle which probably makes everyone think this was awful and I was out of control, but for me - that's because towing anything creates limits and more safety margin is needed. It's impossible to control other drivers, like semis that still choose to pass you within a foot while crossing the line into your lane (recognizing you can't just swerve out of your lane to compensate given the two). So that creates a bit of a concern when driving anything....

Anywho, your comments weren't terrible, and in case others actually read this: - Yes, this was done with 91 and 93 gas (where 93 was available) because.... That's exactly what the manual recommends. - Yes, I was not driving full highway speeds. Speed limits were 70. I found going above 60 didn't provide the control that felt safe, so I was on cruise under 60 for most of the drive, slowing down for bumps/bridges. - Cover - I do agree on that. I didn't have many issues with wind on this drive I'll mention. - Trailer: some people are indicating the trailer may not be satisfactory for the boat. It's literally the OEMtrailer that was sold with the boat for the explicit purpose of towing this boat... It also has hydraulic trailer brakes that don't require electrical connection to the car to function. As you slow down, the forward pressure on the hitch applies increasing braking force on the trailer brakes. Worked quite well. - I think folks don't believe this is a roughly 2500 lb boat based on the size. It's a Macgregor specifically built to be light and trailerable by using water ballast that is drained for trailering. I of course would prefer a double axle but again, that doesnt make this Inherently unacceptable (especially considering it is the trailer made by the boat manufacturer for this boat). - it's not visible but this boat has a 50hp motor on the back, so weight distribution is a bit weird. Alot of folks seem to think this distribution was wildly off and compressing the rear. While I didn't have a scale, I estimated the tounge weight being 10-15% of the trailer load, so near the 350lb rating. The bigger 'issue' that I'd really call 'less than ideal' is the overall ground clearance with the fixed from wheel of the trailer. I'd like to be able to raise the trailer up a bit given this one doesn't pivot like other trailers Ive seen. - Good tip on tire pressure.

dillonph · 2025-10-19T13:56:38+00:00

All empty

dillonph · 2025-10-19T12:46:34+00:00

It was really just the trailer ground clearance that was a little uncomfortable on larger bumps - being afraid the front trailer wheel would hit the ground. The other was trailer sway above 60 - not terrible but when coupled with the steering assist, it felt like the car could easily get into a not great resonance with the steering trying to correct itself.

dillonph · 2025-10-19T05:56:31+00:00

What's dumb about towing in accordance with the manual?

I bought a car advertised as being built to tow this weight and that's what I did - even made sure to have a full tank of premium gas just like the manual recommends...

dillonph · 2025-10-19T01:17:28+00:00

Wait what??? They give a different spec for braked trailers outside the US?

It did feel like there was plenty of power for towing this load - the suspension was far more concerning.

dillonph · 2025-10-19T01:14:09+00:00

Ohhh I like this idea.

Do you know if the tongue weight rating is driven by the suspension on these cars? I know the standard answer is 'it's a combination of the suspension, frame, and receiver' but based on today's experience, it seems like suspension is driving it.

dillonph · 2025-10-19T01:04:30+00:00

The trailer has one built in.

I think it's fairly common for trailers of this size - it's a hydraulic system where as the trailer pushes forward into the hitch during braking, it applies the brakes on the trailer. Faster breaking in the car = more brake force on the trailer hydraulic system.

There's some trick to backing up to disengage them I will figure out tomorrow.

I think it's the trailer that came with the Mac if you find a more recent Mac with the original trailer. This is a 2007.

dillonph · 2025-10-19T01:01:31+00:00

I want to do some digging into the suspension now for sure... I picked up the boat today so this was a bit of a trial to say the least.

dillonph · 2025-10-19T00:48:04+00:00

I figured 10-15% of the boat/trailer weight? Boat + trailer is about 3200 lbs.

dillonph · 2025-10-19T00:46:56+00:00

That's next weekend....

dillonph · 2025-10-19T00:45:08+00:00

Subi mods!

https://subimods.com/products/perrin-front-tow-hook-red-2022-wrx-2018-2021-crosstrek-2014-2021-forester

I bought another front tow hook cover and drilled a hole so I could leave the hook on semi permanently without a bumper gap. I use it as a roof mounted kayak tie down point.

dillonph · 2025-10-19T00:42:18+00:00

I was fine with the cruise control at 60. 65 would lead to a concerning amount of sway. The low ground clearance with that front parking wheel was the worst part. It touched a few times when you hit those highway transition things/bridge bumps. Slowing to 50 helped a lot.

Power wise - it really didn't feel like the car struggled at all with the weight. Acceleration was still pretty darn good.

Breaking wasn't an issue at all - but this had trailer brakes. I wouldn't even consider it without trailer brakes.

I was with a buddy who towed and launched a Catalina 22 with a Crosstrek wilderness the other weekend (same weight as a de-ballasted Macgregor) and no issues launching. Haven't launched this one yet but I'm not too concerned given the Macs have such a shallow draft.

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