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33 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 6:09 PM
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NOTE: looks like I got an official answer on this. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to resond.
Okay, this may not exactly belong in the Club Tread forum, but I figure a few folks here must have some experience with this, so I'll give it a shot...
My wife and I are contemplating buying a camping tent trailer to pull behind my 2011 Impreza hatchback (normally aspirated, 170 hp, AT). We looked at a few tonight, but they seemed bloody huge in comparison to my car. We don't need anything fancy, really - and I don't want to strain my car, especially over long hauls (especially if we get into the mountains).
So, here's a few questions:
1) How much is the cars fuel economy, handling, and so forth affected by pulling a camper? Is it that much worse on gravel (with washboard) roads?
2) Are there any types of hitches you would recommend? How much did you pay to have one installed on your car?
3) At what point would I need a transmission oil cooler installed on my car?
I am contemplating one of these: http://www.leesurelite.com/tenttrailers.asp , as they are crazy light and easy to put up. Anyone use one, or know someone who has? Would they withstand rough roads?
Any recommendations on a trailer?
Thanks in advance |
Edited by - JessieG on 05/24/2012 3:17 PM
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ALBANY, OR
USA
588 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 6:48 PM
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| if you are only going to be doing summer time camping, have you considered the "tear-drop" trailer style? Very light weight but a very different type of camping than a tent trailer would be. |
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 | Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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 Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 7:30 PM
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| I'd recommend not getting a trailer. Get a tent. |
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Penticton, BC
Canada
91 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 7:37 PM
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You see a lot of Impreza's with hitches, but I would never, ever consider pulling anything more than an empty utility trailer with one. It puts a lot of extra stress on the whole drivetrain and will cause parts to wear much more quickly. Obviously your transmission is going to see some more stress, but so will your brakes, along with any part of the drivetrain that may be shock loaded during acceleration or braking with a trailer. In my opinion, the Impreza isn't meant to pull anything that doesn't fit on a roof rack or in the hatch/trunk.
1) Fuel economy will certainly be affected, how much I don't know. Handling wise, you will notice the trailer on roads that are rutted from semi trucks, but depending on weight it may not pull too much. The heavier it is, the more capable it will be to drag or pull on the car. A lightweight trailer will bounce around on gravel, especially if it's washboarded. Suspension just isn't that sophisticated.
3) To be a smartass, when the oil gets too hot. Exactly what that temperature is, I don't know. I would recommend talking to a Subaru tech. Just keep in mind that even if you are able to keep the temp down, pulling a trailer in the mountains is still going to cause a lot of strain on the transmission and engine. That little 2.5L feel gutsy on it's own, but even weighed down with a weeks worth of camping gear and beer it feels a little sluggish.
I'm not saying don't do it, just make sure you know what you are really getting yourself into. |
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33 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 8:00 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Dru
I'd recommend not getting a trailer. Get a tent.
Oh, we have one or two of those. Just looking to up the comfort level a bit. |
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| Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 8:09 PM
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Well then, buy a campervan.
Or buy a full size cargo van (like an Econoline) and put a bed in the back. |
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Lethbridge, Alberta
Canada
30 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 8:17 PM
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| Some friends had a 2000 subaru outback that they used to tow an older tent trailer with... it worked ok, but the engine would start to overheat when going uphill. They would pay attention, drive slowly and pull over when the engine got hot. The trailer you are looking at is ridiculously light at 250 pounds so I think you would be alright, but it is so light it is almost a concern about bouncing around! |
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Penhold, Alberta
Canada
2031 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2012 : 04:01 AM
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As mentioned already, the unit you posted is quite light and you'll need to load it down with beer and gear to help keep it on any gravel road.
Something to really consider as well is depreciation on a tent trailer.. you will get next to nothing should you try to re-sell them.
Good luck which ever way you go. |
Edited by - darrenbell on 05/24/2012 04:02 AM |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
93 Posts |
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Langley, BC
Canada
1078 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2012 : 07:56 AM
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Just stick within the manufacturer's recomended towing capacity. In other words: RTFM.
The argument that pulling a trailing will put more wear on the vehicle applies just as much to a 3/4 ton diesel pick-up as it does to a Subaru.
You can expect handling, performance, and fuel economy to suck. |
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Newton, bc
Canada
284 Posts |
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33 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2012 : 3:16 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Dru
Well then, buy a campervan.
Or buy a full size cargo van (like an Econoline) and put a bed in the back.
Hmmmm, looks like I may have to do that.
According to the service department at Subaru, the Impreza is not rated to pull a trailer. Any damage to the drivetrain that could possibly be attributed to pulling a trailer may not be covered by warranty.
Also, a trailer hitch would reinforce a crumple zone in the car, which may be a problem in a collision.
Many thanks to everyone who took the time to answer. |
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camping trailer for a Subaru
