Can a Subaru Crosstrek pull a camper?

Yes. The Crosstrek can tow a small camper, but only within its official rating of up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped with a trailer hitch and wiring. You must also consider the vehicle’s payload, tongue weight, and braking requirements to stay within safe limits.

To understand what that means in practice, this article examines official towing specs, typical camper weights in the lightweight segment, and practical steps to tow safely with a Crosstrek. It also highlights common camper types that tend to fit within the Crosstrek’s limits and offers planning tips for responsible towing.

Official towing limits and what they mean

The Subaru Crosstrek’s maximum tow rating is generally up to 1,500 pounds when equipped with the factory hitch and wiring. Some configurations without the towing package or hitch may have lower practical limits, often around 1,000 pounds. Beyond the trailer’s weight, you must respect the Crosstrek’s payload (the combined weight of passengers, cargo, and the tongue load) and the trailer’s tongue weight, which is typically about 10–15% of the trailer’s total weight. If the trailer is heavier, a weight distribution hitch and, in some cases, trailer brakes may be required to maintain stable handling and stopping power.

Key weight concepts you should know

Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer exerts on the hitch and is usually 10–15% of the trailer’s gross weight. Payload is the maximum weight you can carry in the vehicle, including passengers and cargo, and must remain within the Crosstrek’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). A weight distribution hitch helps balance load for heavier or longer trailers, but not all Crosstreks need one; check your manual and the trailer’s requirements before towing.

Camper options that tend to fit the Crosstrek

To give you a sense of what kinds of campers typically stay within the Crosstrek’s limit, here are common lightweight categories and their approximate ranges. Note that “dry weight” is not the same as “ready-to-camp” weight, which includes gear, water, and batteries.

• Teardrop trailers: roughly 1,000–1,200 pounds dry weight, often 1,200–1,500 pounds ready to camp


• Small pop-up campers: about 1,100–1,500 pounds ready to camp (depending on options and design)


• Ultra-light travel trailers: typically 1,000–1,400 pounds dry or ready to camp if trimmed lightly


• Compact, ultra-lightweight trailers marketed for small SUVs: commonly 1,000–1,500 pounds loaded

When shopping, always verify the trailer’s GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) and the tongue weight, and compare them to the Crosstrek’s payload and tow limits. Heavier options or loaded configurations can exceed the Crosstrek’s safe towing envelope quickly.

Practical towing steps for a Crosstrek

To help ensure safe towing, follow these steps in order. The list below is designed to keep you within the Crosstrek’s capabilities while maintaining handling and braking performance.

1. Confirm your exact towing capacity for your year and trim, and ensure the vehicle is equipped with a proper hitch, wiring, and, if needed, a brake controller.


2. Install a compatible hitch and electrical harness designed for trailers; verify grounding and lighting functions before hitting the road.


3. Choose a trailer with a GVWR at or below the Crosstrek’s limit and calculate tongue weight to stay within the 10–15% rule of thumb.


4. Consider a weight distribution hitch for heavier trailers to improve stability and reduce rear-end squat, if recommended by the trailer manufacturer and compatible with your Crosstrek setup.


5. Weigh the loaded trailer and plan for terrain; hills and high speeds increase engine load and cooling demand, so monitor temps and fluids during climbs.


6. Plan your drive with wider stopping distances and careful braking; practice turns and backing in a safe area to get used to the trailer’s dimensions.

Following these steps helps you tow within the Crosstrek’s safe operating envelope and reduces the risk of overload or handling issues on the road.

Safety, legality, and real-world considerations

While the Crosstrek can tow lightweight campers, there are caveats. The vehicle’s 2.0-liter engine and CVT are capable, but towing puts extra load on the engine, transmission, cooling system, and brakes. Ensure the trailer has proper braking (and a brake controller if required by local law), and never exceed GVWR or payload. If you anticipate regular towing or longer trips with a loaded trailer, you may want to re-evaluate vehicle choice or seek a higher-capacity AWD SUV or crossover for added margin.

Summary

A Subaru Crosstrek can pull a small camper, typically in the 1,000–1,500 pound range, when the trailer is within the official tow rating and the Crosstrek is properly equipped. Success depends on matching the trailer’s weight (and tongue weight) to the vehicle’s payload, using the right hitch and braking setup, and adhering to safe towing practices. For occasional light-towing trips with teardrop trailers, compact pop-ups, or ultra-light travel trailers, the Crosstrek can be a viable option with careful planning and equipment. If you expect heavier loads or frequent long-distance towing, consider a higher-capacity vehicle for extra margin and peace of mind.

Is towing with a Crosstrek safe?

Rent a truck. The Crosstrek does not have enough engine power and not enough breaking power. It is not safe to tow with a Crosstrek. Plus, you may blowup the CVT on a Crosstrek if you tow.

Why is Subaru discontinuing the Crosstrek?

Subaru is not discontinuing the Crosstrek model line entirely, but the Crosstrek Hybrid (PHEV) was discontinued in the U.S. due to slow sales and Subaru's strategic shift toward new hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) platforms that will be shared with Toyota. Subaru is still producing the standard Crosstrek and is developing new hybrid and EV models based on its new Global Platform, which will offer a new hybrid system for the Crosstrek in the future. The discontinuation of the manual transmission option was also driven by declining demand. 
This video discusses the reasons behind the discontinuation of the Crosstrek Hybrid and Subaru's future plans for electrification: 46sAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Jun 9, 2025

• Hybrid model discontinued: The Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid was dropped after a short run in the U.S. because it only accounted for a small percentage of total sales. 
• Strategic shift to new platforms: Subaru is focusing on developing new hybrid and EV models using its new Global Platform, which is designed to accommodate these powertrains. The company is working with Toyota on future EV platforms to improve profitability and innovation. 
• Manual transmission phased out: The manual transmission option was discontinued due to declining sales, as a small percentage of buyers opted for it compared to automatic transmissions. 
• Standard Crosstrek remains available: The gasoline-powered Crosstrek continues to be a popular and available model. 
• Future hybrid return: Subaru has stated that it will launch a new hybrid Crosstrek in the future, likely with a new hybrid system and on the new Global Platform. 

This video explains the changes coming to the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek, including updates to the powertrain options: 55sAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Nov 4, 2024

How big of a trailer can a Subaru Crosstrek pull?

With a 3,500-lb towing capacity, the Subaru Crosstrek (2.5L engine) can handle a variety of small trailers and loads. Here are some things you can tow, including the estimated trailer weight: Small Camper Trailer - 2,000-3,500 lbs (includes a lightweight teardrop or pop-up camper with gear)

Which Subaru can pull a camper?

The best Subaru models for towing a camper are the Ascent (up to 5,000 lbs), which is the most capable for larger loads, and the Outback XT/Wilderness (up to 3,500 lbs), which is suitable for smaller campers. The Ascent is ideal for medium-sized travel trailers and heavier utility trailers, while the Outback XT/Wilderness is best for pop-up or smaller travel trailers. Other models like the Forester can tow up to 3,000 lbs (Wilderness trim) and the Crosstrek can tow 1,500 lbs, though these are best for very light trailers.
 
Best options for towing a camper 
This video explains how much weight a Subaru Outback can tow: 51sClaus Kellerman POVYouTube · Jun 1, 2024

• Subaru Ascent:
  • Towing Capacity: Up to 5,000 lbs 
  • Best For: Medium-sized travel trailers, larger boats, and heavy utility trailers. 
  • Details: This is Subaru's largest SUV, with a turbocharged engine and three rows of seating. It can handle the heaviest towing loads in the Subaru lineup. 
• Subaru Outback (XT or Wilderness Trims):
  • Towing Capacity: Up to 3,500 lbs 
  • Best For: Pop-up campers and small travel trailers. 
  • Details: The XT models and the off-road-ready Wilderness trim have a higher towing capacity due to their turbocharged engines. The base Outback models can only tow up to 2,700 lbs. 

Other options

• Subaru Forester (Wilderness trim):
  • Towing Capacity: Up to 3,000 lbs 
  • Best For: Lightweight campers and utility trailers. 
• Subaru Crosstrek:
  • Towing Capacity: Up to 1,500 lbs 
  • Best For: Very light trailers, such as a small utility trailer or a light aluminum boat. 

Important considerations

• Check the weight: Always verify the total weight of your loaded camper and compare it against the vehicle's towing capacity. Don't forget to include the weight of passengers and cargo inside the vehicle (payload). 
• Towing package: Some models require a specific towing package, and it's best to confirm what is included with the vehicle.