Choosing Subaru model and travel trailer -- how well does it work close to the weight limit?

[Ignaz]

I'm thinking of getting a travel trailer and looking at different models. Maybe this would be a year or two out. I currently have a 2017 Forester, a base model with regular transmission, and it has a very small towing capacity, so I'm thinking that if I get a trailer I'd also get a new Subaru car with a greater towing capacity. For example, some of the Outbacks have a towing capacity greater than some of the trailers I've looked at. I assume I will need the vehicle towing capacity to be equal to or greater than the loaded weight of the trailer.

Question: if the trailer loaded weight is very close to the vehicle towing capacity, will I be just fine? Or will it not drive very well or become dangerous? I am not asking if my top speed will be high (I'm a pretty conservative driver), I just want it to be safe and work properly. I would also need to be able to drive up my driveway, which is at the steepest part a 14% grade. Though, I also own a tractor that could probably do that job if needed.

Do I just make sure capacity is greater than load? Or do I want a safety margin, too?

Thank you!!

 

[310Z]

There is a lot to know about load and trailer limits for any vehicle. There is information about how to determine each individual vehicles limits and I have attached a web page. Not all vehicles are designed to tow a load.

How to Measure Towing Capacity, GVWR, GCWR - Towing 101

Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can tow when pulling a trailer. It is determined by the vehicle manufacturer and takes into account the GVWR, GAWR, GTW and more. What does towing capacity mean? Very simply, it is how heavy your trailer can be.

www.curtmfg.com

The stickers on the inside of the drivers door give you the numbers you need to do your calculations.

Many will say to only tow up to 80% of a vehicles maximum ability and I would agree that is a good rule to keep in mind.
Something to know about towing with an SUV with un-body construction is that the cabin will carry the noise from the trailer hitch and trailer clunking around. With a body on frame truck and the truck bed this isolates these sounds from the cabin for a much quieter ride.
Hope this information helps.