Turbo a problem for towing??

4657 Views 12 Replies 10 Participants Last post by soobcrazy, Jul 9, 2019

SuziCNM

Discussion Starter · Jun 28, 2019

I was camping recently, and talked with a couple that had an A-liner trailer pulled with an outback. 2009 I think. I bemoaned feeling limited by the 1500 pound rating on my '16 ForesterXt, and he said the problem is the turbo! I have heard multiple arguments about towing close to/ above the US tow limit, but none included the turbo being a factor!
If I want to tow a 17-1800 lb pop up trailer 300 miles, am I going to blow up the engine due to the turbo? What if I add engine cooling & the other recommended goodies?
Thanks

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slothman

· #4 · Jun 28, 2019

SuziCNM said:
I bemoaned feeling limited by the 1500 pound rating on my '16 ForesterXt, and he said the problem is the turbo!

The turbo isn't the problem. In Australia XTs are rated to tow 1,800 kg, about 4,000 lb. I believe it is even higher in Europe. So the turbo (and CVT) don't seem to be the limiting factor.

Apparently, the issue is the U.S. uses more conservative criterion for calculating tow limits, probably because of higher speed limits.

I do a lot of towing and decided the 2.5 NA was the better tow option as the turbo would be on boost most of the time greatly reducing mpg.

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