Forrester 2.5XS Manual to tow Avan?

[Jaashjr]

I am after a bit of advice from those who may have experience with Subaru Forresters.  My mother has decided they are going to take a holiday from Brisbane to Longreach, which is great except that they are now planning to borrow a friends Avan (don't know which model) that apparently weighs 1100kg (don't know if that is tare or gross) and tow it for the holiday.  They have a 2007 Subaru Forrester XS 2.5 Manual,  which according to the manual has a tow rating of 1280kg so they think they will be fine.  I am concerned though as I believe the forresters only have a maximum ball weight rating of 75kg and just because a manual says that a car can tow a certain weight doesn't necessarily mean that it will be able to do it safely (in my opinion). 

When I tow our Jimboomba camper fully loaded  for an extended stay (around 1500kgs I think) with our 2007 120 D4D Prado you can certainly tell it is there and big hills definitely slow us right down, however the Prado has a tow rating of 2500kgs so around 1000kg more and in my guess (of course I've never done it so just my speculation) if I was to tow a trailer of 2500kgs with the Prado it would be really struggling. So does the same theory apply to the Forresters?

They are about to get new suspension fitted to the Forrester for the trip (because the old suspension is shot) but I doubt that they will be getting any sort of Heavy Duty setup as 99% of the time the forrester is just a road vehicle and they won't want a harsh ride.  I just recently saw a thread on 4x4 earth where someone says they used there Forrester to tow a Jimboomba camper trailer (now where near 1100kgs) with a towball weight of 75kgs and after just 5000 kms both back tyres of the car were bald on the inside edge.  Of course I don't know the rest of the circumstances surrounding this scenario so it is possibly irrelevant.

I have read that if they use a WDH they can legally double the ball weight limit, is that correct, seems odd to me?

Do you guys think that a forrester is up to the task?  and is there any sort of electronic brake controller that doesn't have to be physically hard wired into the tow vehicle?

Any opinions will be most appreciated.
Thanks

[JCOJ]

I'd be hiring a 4wd to do the job.  Probably be the same amount as the suspension upgrade but would be a whole lot safer.  There are ones with tow bars and brake controllers already fitted - you just need to ask.

I have a Forester XT manual - even with the turbo I wouldn't be towing that amount of weight.

[dazzler]

We towed a jayco swan with our old rav4. Would be similar weight.

It did it ok and it was an auto. Manual would be better.
Make sure they know not to slip the clutch. Foresters don't like slipped clutches.

[Mace]

This NRMA report seems to give similar advice about load levelling devises doubling the tow ball weight capacity, its on a 2002 Forester however:

https://www.aaa.asn.au/roadtests/reports/374.pdf

The vehicle will be approaching the outer limits of its capacity if that is the van tare weight, maybe beyond if its loaded to the hilt.  The Forester has a weight approaching 1400 kg, its not much heavier than the van.  Have they towed a van before? 

Might be a good idea for them to take it for a short run for an hour around the local area (after the suspension/shocks are done up) to make sure they arnt beyond their capacities. 

That said, a neighbour up the road has the same set up.  I havnt seen the van out much over the last few years.  Ill check if he has electric brakes fitted when I walk the dog tonight.  I reckon you are right to have a few concerns.

[noel_w]

Yeah, I have a 2011 xs Forester for swmbo. It has the self levelling suspension at the rear but i wouldn't be towing a fully laden camper with it. I have a Trackabout Safari that does enough slowing of the Patrol. I haven't even put a towbar on the Subie. Don't get me wrong, Subies are a great car but they aren't meant to tow large loads. Leave that to larger cars.
I guess it will tow OK it but there is a difference between towing it and towing it safely. I have a belief that manufacturers exaggerate their safe towing capacity to make sales.
My mate at work towed a Trackie around Vic, NSW & SA last year with a near new RAV4 (4) & had to do repairs to his gearbox when he got back. It was only seals and mounts but the labour costs were a couple of grand. The repairer's first words to him were "been towing a bit with it have ya"
He also averaged 18L/100K and up to 26 at times.
My $0.02 worth

[Mace]

Ok Jaashjr, we're mates now!

I went and introduced myself to the couple 6 doors up whilst walkin the dog. I said a "mate" was interested in Avans! Its amazing what nice people live in your neighbourhood when you make an affort to meet them, they nearly opened the Van up 4 me, offered to take it out of the carport and set it up - they had to do it tomorrow anyway as theyre off on another trip.

They have an 07 Manual Forester with which they tow an AVan Cruiseliner - GVM 1220kg.  They have electric brakes and a load leveller.  Their towball weight has been checked out and its below 150kg.

They have had the Avan for nearly 2 years and done two long trips, SA & Broken Hill.  He reckons the Subie doesnt have any issues both power wise and handling wise. They have had bigger cars and bigger vans before and dont think this combination is any better or worse than any others theyve had.

They usually average about 12l/100km, has been as bad as 16lit/100 when going into a headwind on the way to Broken Hill (why is there allways a headwind up there, no matter what way yer going?)

Theyre very happy with it and reckon its the ducks nuts!

So, mum & co should spend the $ for a brake controller, and give the van a test run at least before they set off if they really want to use their own car. 

   MATE!

[Benji]

We towed our new lifestyle extenda elite camper trailer with our 2011 auto forester without any problems.  Handles well and doesn't seem to struggle with the load.  Weight is a bit less though as the tare is 850kg.  Also have a heavy duty tow bar with a higher ball weight capacity. 

[Bookleaf]

I have an '04 Forester x 2.5 manual, (150k on the clock), and a soft floor camper.  All-up weight of the camper is approx 1000Kg, and ball weight 80Kg.
Have been Adel-Melb and return with no worries.  Sat on 100 comfortably all the way.  Also have towed local country (to Adelaide).  Fuel around 12-16L/100KM.  Hills obviously impact performance, but if you tackle them correctly, it is not all that bad
I can tell the camper is there, but no great deal.  But then I am expecting degraded performance due to the camper.
The A'Van may be higher and pose more wind resistance, thus degrading performance, but I would think it should handle things OK if the trip is taken sensibly.

[Jaashjr]

Thanks heaps for your replies, it seems as though while it may not be the ideal combination, it will be OK if they take it slow and steady. 

You have put my mind at ease and I will be able to pass this info onto them.