Got a quick question for all. Given the recent discussion of MPG, etc. I want to know some opinions.
I have a Subaru 2001 Forrester... something like 170hp, manual trans. Has about 75k miles on it.
I am going to go to Key Largo (about 700 mi) and tow my 6.0. I have towed the boat locally (27 miles, the longest) without any problems. Any reason I should think the car won't make it? I could borrow a friends Dodge pickup but even though the Subaru gets relatively pathetic MPG (24 or so), the Dodge would certainly get worse.
Should I go with the Subaru.. and if so, is there anything I should look out for?

I'd not worry...make sure your tires are aired up and don't try to set any land speed records and you should be fine.

Don't think you will have any trouble. If it lugs just go to a lower gear.

Doug

you're towing capacity (for a 2001 Forester) is 2000 lbs. You're perfectly fine. At the very WORST your 6.0 and trailer weigh 1100 pounds...that is if you've added a bunch of steel and extended your trailer tongue 8' I weighed mine when my 6.0 was on it and my trailer is a rediculously large portion of that 1100 lb equation.

YOu will have no problems with the Forester!

I haul my 17 around with an Impreza (ok it's got 208BHP) but it's lighter!

You will hardly notive the drop in MPG; I find mine is similar as driveing without towing as I go slower with the boat on the back

The Suburu will be fine. What condition is the trailer in? Tires, wheels, bearings, etc.? Nothing cuts a trip short like a frozen trailer axle.

t

Yes, be careful to downshift (as Doug mentioned) when the engine "loads" up (on a grade). The 5th gear in your transmission is less than 1:1, smaller than the lower gears and very easy to overheat, under a load, and be destroyed. Most automatic transmissions vehicles recommend not using overdrive for towing anything, regardless of the vehicles towing capacity. The same thing will hold true for a manual transmission vehicle. Speaking from personal experience.

Thanks for everyone's input. As for the trailer- I just spent serious cash to replace the tongue, the tires/rims and springs so they had better be ok!
I sort of consider it this way- as Jake said.. the entire wieght of the trailer/boat probably doesn't exceed 1000lbs. Then I think of 3 "big" dudes in the back seat (not comfy, but car should handle it ok) and it is almost equivalent.

Replacing tires/rims and springs is great. But don't foreget to check bearings. Lockup would be a bitch on the road!!

Doug

replaced the bearings also.. so all should be good.

I've just towed my new Spitfire 350 miles home with a 2.0 litre Legacy - no problem. I've also towed a Dart Hawk F18 on a heavy tilt trailer - also no problem.

I have a 165hp six cylinder car that pulls 800lbs without a problem. There is not a lot of torque but it works well over a long haul. I think you will find 65mph to be the ideal speed for engine. 70 isn't a problem but the engine seems to work easier at only 5mph less.

Your biggest concern will be negotiating the kamikaze traffic on Hwy. 98 unless you head straight north to I-10 from Navarre.

Then, if you're coming south on I-75 you will have to check your rear view mirror for almost as much time as you spend looking out the windshield. Since the inside lane is going 80-85mph and the outside is bumper to bumper tractor/trailers you will have to use the middle lane which can be exciting because the middle will be populated by the frustrated tourists from the inside lane and frustrated truckers from the outside lane

I drive 98 a lot so am familiar with it. I am not interested in driving my trailer at 80 mph!
What highway is the toll road everyone talks about as the best way to get down there?

if you want to save on gas, take the tramp off.

going down to tradewinds we had an F18 and an I20 double stacked and while the truck pulled them just fine, the wind resistance killed our gas milage.

I own a 2000 Impreza wagon, 2.2L 5spd 142hp 149lb-ft

I have been towing my previous Nacra 5.7 on many long trips (300-500milles) without any problems.

The catamaran will induce a lot of drag so the car will not be fuel efficient. I was able to shift in 5th gear on the highway or on really good roads but as soon as it becomes hills I remained in 4th gear. I was doing 200-250 milles per tank

Things to look for:
Tongue weight: I found that a tongue weight of 10% is really more stable with my setup but I usually keep it to 5% to prevent to overload my rear suspension.

Trailer side:
Grease these wheels bearing, A visual inspection will tell you if the are in good shape.
Torque these wheel nuts
Put the recommended air pressure in the tires, under inflated tires will overheat
CARRY A SPARE
Inspect carefully the trailer electrical system.

Finally on long trips, binding straps will stretch and wear out. You have to stop on a regular basis to inspect and tighten everything

Charles Leblanc
Nacra 5.2

No kidding!!!

We used to call it the 1-10-100 mile rule. Check the trailer at 1 mile, 10 miles and every 100 miles. Check the temp of the bearings, too.

I use that too.

Usually works just fine (except I had a bearing seize this year Grr......).

How do you check the temp of the bearings? Just feel? (owww)

Has anyone mentioned lug nuts? Lost a few on the way back from the Keys last time.