I am considering some downsizing in my vehicle and boat. Does anyone here have any experience with Subaru Outback and towing abilities with a boat? I would be towing a boat such as the Alumacraft V16 or like size model from other boat makers. I am curious how it performs on the road and at the boat ramp.
Thanks for any help!
I’m no help but my golf cart can pull a 16′ alum boat. 
That’s a pretty light boat. I would guess around 1,500 max for boat, motor and trailer. Wouldn’t think it’d be a problem but hopefully someone chimes in with a similar setup.
Remember that safely braking is just as important as safely towing. You need to be able to stop the trailer quickly if the event arises.
I’d be more concerned about up and down boat ramps, mainly taking the boat out
If you’re under your towing capacity by a decent margin I see no reason why not 
AWD at the landing would be a definite benefit over a 2 wheeler.
Probably not a lot for Sub owners on this site for real-world experience though.
Sorry, no experience.
Not sure if the towing capacity has changed over the years but I believe it is rated at 2700 lbs.
A SUBURU OUTBACK!!! 
it will haul it and maybe stop it. But its gonna be hard on your engine, tranny, brakes, and suspension even though it is such a small load. I think u would be better off with a truck and i don’t mean a ridgeline. 
u gonna find it more reliable in most situation towing so far as ease of getting in and out of tricky boat ramps. Not to mention peace of mind. Just saying.
Be careful taking advice here…most IDOer’s will tell you that you need a 3500 diesel to pull a jet ski.
I think the outback would handle that boat just fine. My brother in law tows his 14 ft regularly with his, and some times his 16ft but he has a truck as well so it depends on the distance and day
Be careful taking advice here…most IDOer’s will tell you that you need a 3500 diesel to pull a jet ski.
who uses a 3500, f-250 or f-350s are wayyy better! u couldnt feel a jet ski towing it with a bike! 
Better than a ram
Where’s Sharon she drives a “Whoop-t-doo” 
Better than a ram
I was going to say ask a Ridgeline guy , the subi has about double the ability
I pull a V-16 with a 20 horse Honda with a Subaru Forester and have never had an issue even with slippery landings. 141,000 miles and still going strong. Forester has a lower tow capacity than a Outback, I believe 1500 vs 2400 for the outback. My boat has the floor with the open configuration front bench seat. Cranking battery and transom trolling motor battery in the back gas tank in the very front balancing the weight a bit. You will not have any issues with an Outback.
Long, steep hills might be a problem even with a lighter boat. I’ve heard from a mechanic that head gaskets like to blow on those vehicles when they are working hard pulling on hills and that the trannys can become an issue too. Pulling on flat land or normal ramps would likely be fine, but those long steep hills might bring out issues.
And as gim has mentioned: pulling is one thing, stopping safely is yet another.
If you aren’t going cross country through the mountains at highway speeds, I wouldn’t hesitate.
Vehicle size (wheel base, weight) are big factors in towing for both stopping and handling…but the largest factor that is overlooked all the time is driving habits. Take your time, have decent tires, do maintenance on your vehicle as directed and I bet you won’t have any more issues than anyone else would with towing a boat regardless of vehicle size.
Where’s Sharon she drives a “Whoop-t-doo”
Well I used to have an Outback but a couple years ago I upgraded to the Forrester. And I love my Forrester of course! 
But I’m not a fan using SUVs for hauling boats, particularly during the time spent on the ramp loading and unloading. Sometimes you just need a guy and a truck and that’s one of those times.
Why even list a towing capacity if you just plan on ignoring it? The OP is asking about pulling approx. half of the listed towing capacity. How many truck owners do we have that do not exceed half of the rated towing capacity?
And don’t forget that the listed towing capacity INCLUDES the vehicle’s weight itself, fully loaded.
So, lol.
I had a 2012 and I was pulling a 04′ fishhawk 1750. You diffendtly could feel it back there, but I travel with that boat all across minnesota . I had no issues at boat lands, I had some stupid steep landings that it would just pull it out with out struggling. That being said I did a tranmission at 280K.
And don’t forget that the listed towing capacity INCLUDES the vehicle’s weight itself, fully loaded.
What do you think that the Outback weighs? You could not even put a few people in the vehicle….
I used to tow an Alumacraft Lunker 16 that had a 40 hp Honda with a Chevy Lumina. Never had any issues. I was underpowered when climbing long grades but otherwise it towed that boat just fine. You should be fine.
And don’t forget that the listed towing capacity INCLUDES the vehicle’s weight itself, fully loaded.
It includes your payload (passengers/gear/coolers/etc) but not the vehicle itself.
That said, it’s pretty easy to add another 1,500lbs+ in gear and human flesh for a multi-day fishing trip. One of the biggest reasons never to “max out” your specific vehicle’s tow rating with just what’s being tugged around.
I’ll also add that there’s a ton of factors that manufacturers use to calculate the “max tow rating” in their commercials.
It’s a very specific wheel base, engine, drivetrain, gear ratio, transmission cooler, a 100lb driver with zero gear/passengers, no “goodies” that add weight like a moon roof, leather seats, etc.
If Google or a TV commercial says you can tow say 10,000 pounds with a half ton, I can guarantee you your truck is rated for less than advertised.
As long as you dont show up to the ramp preaching Im killing gods creations and trying to ban lead tackle Im sure itll pull it just fine .
I’ve never had an issue any of the times I pulled my boat with my 05 Outback. It’s worked well at just about any ramp I’ve had it on and can pull a smaller boat like my 1987 Alumacraft Lunker DLX just fine.
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I haven’t seen so much talk about a blown tranny since…..oh nvm
I haven’t seen so much talk about a blown tranny since…..oh nvm
Yep, when I was a kid blowing a tranny meant you had car troubles 
I haven’t seen so much talk about a blown tranny since…..oh nvm
Stay away from Lilydale, Dave. High probability of blowing a tranny down there. 
Anyone who has driven one and towed with it will tell you you’re AOK. Me included. Very similar setup to your intended use. I had an 08 outback and pulled a 16ft alumcraft fisherman without issues. Never had to stop on a dime but that’s because I drove responsibly and didn’t tailgate. I did a couple 500 mile trips and did just fine going 70mph on the freeway. Had no issues on steep ramps either.
If you really wanna cover your butt, get trailer brakes and a transmission cooler.
FYI my kid drives that Subaru now. 190k and doing fine. I graduated to a real truck, the Honda Ridgeline of course. Subarus are nice but I just couldn’t say no to the tampon dispenser in the RL.
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