Can the Baja be used to tow anything?

[A. Smith]

Can the Baja be used to tow anything?

 

[bigjim]

Yes- 2500 lbs I believe.

 

[Bonehenge]

Yes- 2500 lbs I believe.

My 2001 Outback wagon was rated for 2000 pounds. It's right there in
the owner's manual.

FWIW, my 2001 OBW had no problem MOVING 2000 pounds, stopping it was
another story. Unless the Subaru's brakes have been seriously
improved in the meantime, I'd suggest electric trailer brakes on a
2000 pound trailer.

For regular towing of a 2000 pound trailer I sold my OBW and bought a
Toyota pickup. The car was an excellent car, but it's not a fantastic
tow steed.

 

[Bruce Hoult]

My 2001 Outback wagon was rated for 2000 pounds. It's right there in
the owner's manual.

FWIW, my 2001 OBW had no problem MOVING 2000 pounds, stopping it was
another story. Unless the Subaru's brakes have been seriously
improved in the meantime, I'd suggest electric trailer brakes on a
2000 pound trailer.

You seem to have much lower tow ratings in the USA than here in NZ.

My 1995 Legacy wagon (and I expect all other years too) is legally rated
for 500 kg (1100 lb) unbraked, 1500 kg (3300 lb) braked.

I don't know what this ...

http://www.hoult.org/bruce/Subaru_with_TA.jpg

.... weighed, but it knocked me back from my usual 28 - 30 mpg to 19 mpg,
but the car was happy as anything doing it, managing to do the 90 km/h
speed limit (with trailer) even up quite steep hills.

 

[Bonehenge]

... weighed, but it knocked me back from my usual 28 - 30 mpg to 19 mpg,
but the car was happy as anything doing it, managing to do the 90 km/h
speed limit (with trailer) even up quite steep hills.

I never complained about the UPSIDE of hills. <G>

My manual shifted OBW needed new brakes @ 31,000 miles, with
occasional towing. I'm a downshifter in daily driving, and I do my
own brakes, so I wouldn't call them robust. This was NOT a case of
someone selling me brakes, I pulled the worn-out pads off the car
myself. They were done like dinner.

I've NEVER put pads on one of my cars at 31k before...

Barry

 

[A. Smith]

This is an automatic transmission?

You seem to have much lower tow ratings in the USA than here in NZ.

My 1995 Legacy wagon (and I expect all other years too) is legally rated
for 500 kg (1100 lb) unbraked, 1500 kg (3300 lb) braked.

I don't know what this ...

http://www.hoult.org/bruce/Subaru_with_TA.jpg

... weighed, but it knocked me back from my usual 28 - 30 mpg to 19 mpg,
but the car was happy as anything doing it, managing to do the 90 km/h
speed limit (with trailer) even up quite steep hills.

 

[Bialystock & Bloom]

Can the Baja be used to tow anything?

.....not unless you want to wreck the transmission
and/or see your engine oil temp go to 800°F+

Baja: The most useless and cartoonish Subaru since the Brat of the 80's.

 

[Bruce Hoult]

This is an automatic transmission?

Yes. And it would stay in 4th gear torque converter lock-up on flattish
roads as long as I could maintain 75 - 80 km/h or more. (normally it
goes into lock-up at 60 km/h, but only very light throttle pressure is
required to unlock it at that speed)

 

[Ralph E Lindberg]

Yes- 2500 lbs I believe.

From what I just read, 2400 lbs and then only with brakes on the trailer

--

 

[Ragnar]

Baja: The most useless and cartoonish Subaru since the Brat of the 80's.

Actually, the Brat was quite nice if you kept to its role. I'm sure the
Baja would be quite nice if you kept it to its role as well. Anyone
know what that role is?

 

[connie clark silvania]

love my Baja, a lot better than my Outback, great for work and hauling my
fishing tackle around, wouldn't tow my boat with it but once the boat is
docked the Baja serves its purpose of hauling my gear back and forth.

 

[Rick Courtright]

FWIW, my 2001 OBW had no problem MOVING 2000 pounds, stopping it was
another story. Unless the Subaru's brakes have been seriously
improved in the meantime, I'd suggest electric trailer brakes on a
2000 pound trailer.

Does the owners manual say anything about trailer brakes? My Toyota
pickup, which has far better brakes for such use than my Subie, is rated
for 3500 lbs tow weight, but the book says brakes are required over 1000
lbs. And I recently read that California (where I am) requires brakes on
trailers over 1500 lbs. Regardless of the tow vehicle, I guess?

Rick

 

[Vinnie]

Actually, the Brat was quite nice if you kept to its role. I'm sure the
Baja would be quite nice if you kept it to its role as well. Anyone
know what that role is?

My associates at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philly (home of
the Philadelphia Eagles Football team) who all drive
Ford and Chevy pickups or SUV's commented that my Baja
is a great truck for pre-game tailgate parties. I put an enormous
plastic bin in the back, fill it up with crushed ice, some water and
about 3 or 4 dozen six-packs of brewski's. (usually Miller, Fosters
and good ole Sammy Addams for ME!) They all love my Subie, they call
it "The Rolling Beer Fridge". Works great at Phillies games in the summer
in this application also. Just get a suitable Rubbermaid or similar
heavy squat container with cover, load it up with canned beer and
soda for the kids, attach lid and bunjee-strap it down. Then drive to the
party, back up, park, pop the lid and enjoy the day. Spills are easily
flushed with the melted ice water when you get back home and the
back of my subie smells like a brewery.......

 

[Carmen and Mike Minerva]

I have a turbo version of the Baja which I use as an excellent 4 passenger
transporter as well as hauler of sacks of animal feed bags, groceries etc.
The ability to haul tall items (furniture) makes it more useful than the
wagons I used to own. I tow a small light-weight trailer into which I load
all my windsurfer gear as well as 6 boards. I am happy that I can perform
the same tasks as larger, less fuel efficient trucks. I am also happy that
I can beat most other vehicles of all types in everyday informal
acceleration contests. Please note the grin!
Mike

 

[Xplosiv]

2000 lbs with a max 200lbs tongue weight.