Can you use a weight distribution hitch on a Subaru?
Weight distribution hitches are a popular tool for improving towing stability and safety, especially when hauling heavy loads. If you own a Subaru and are considering using a weight distribution hitch, it's important to understand the compatibility and guidelines for your specific vehicle model. In this article, we’ll explore whether a weight distribution hitch can be used on a Subaru and what factors you need to consider.
Understanding Weight Distribution Hitches
A weight distribution hitch is designed to evenly distribute the tongue weight of a trailer across the axles of both the towing vehicle and the trailer. This helps to improve handling, reduce sway, and prevent the rear of the towing vehicle from sagging. These hitches are particularly useful for larger trailers or when towing near the upper limits of your vehicle's capacity.
Subaru's Towing Capabilities
Subaru vehicles, such as the Outback, Forester, and Ascent, are known for their all-wheel-drive systems and versatility. However, their towing capacities vary by model:
- Subaru Outback: Towing capacity ranges from 2,700 to 3,500 pounds, depending on the engine and trim level.
- Subaru Forester: Towing capacity is typically 1,500 pounds, with some models offering up to 3,000 pounds with the right equipment.
- Subaru Ascent: The Ascent is Subaru's most capable towing vehicle, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.
These capacities are important to keep in mind when deciding whether to use a weight distribution hitch, as they determine the maximum load your Subaru can safely tow.
Can You Use a Weight Distribution Hitch on a Subaru?
Subaru does not officially recommend the use of weight distribution hitches on their vehicles. This is primarily due to the design of Subaru's unibody construction and the potential for stress on the frame when using such hitches. Unlike body-on-frame vehicles, which are more common in larger trucks and SUVs, unibody vehicles are not as well-suited to handle the additional forces exerted by a weight distribution hitch.
Instead, Subaru advises using a standard hitch and ensuring that the trailer's tongue weight falls within the recommended range for your specific model. Properly loading your trailer to maintain balance and reduce sway is also crucial for safe towing.
Alternatives to Weight Distribution Hitches
If you’re concerned about towing stability and safety, there are alternative solutions to consider:
- Sway Control Devices: These can be used to reduce trailer sway without the need for a weight distribution hitch.
- Proper Trailer Loading: Ensure that the trailer is loaded with approximately 10-15% of its total weight on the tongue to maintain balance.
- Upgraded Suspension Components: Adding suspension enhancements, such as air springs or helper springs, can help manage the additional weight.
Conclusion
While weight distribution hitches are a valuable tool for many towing setups, they are not recommended for use with Subaru vehicles due to their unibody construction and potential for frame stress. Instead, focus on proper trailer loading, tongue weight management, and alternative stability solutions to ensure a safe and smooth towing experience. Always consult your Subaru owner’s manual and speak with a professional if you have any doubts about your towing setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sway bar if I have a weight distribution hitch?
It is recommended that a weight distribution hitch with built-in sway control or sway bars be used to increase vehicle stability and combat sway. Without sway control, trailer sway can cause unsafe driving conditions.
How much difference does a weight distribution hitch make?
Offers safer steering and braking abilities – As the name suggests, a weight distribution hitch evens out the weight that your vehicle is towing. So, instead of putting stress on the back of the vehicle to control the direction and speed of the trailer, the whole body of the vehicle will be doing the work.
Is it OK to use airbags with weight distribution hitch?
After automatic leveling with airbags, a weight distribution hitch may lose around 25% of the achieved weight distribution. If the hitch is installed at a higher weight distribution percentage, it will still be within the safe towing guidelines set by manufacturers after airbag inflation.
Can I put a hitch on my Subaru?
Adding a trailer hitch to a Subaru Forester requires only a few tools, a CMF 13409 trailer hitch, and a short amount of time to complete the installation. This trailer hitch and installation process will work for Subaru Forester model years 2019-2024.
Can you use a weight distribution hitch on an SUV?
Because the spring bars increase the load on the vehicle frame, they should only be used on “truck-based” body-on-frame vehicles. In the case of GMC, that includes all the pickup trucks and the Yukon and Yukon XL SUVs.
Do any subarus come with a tow hitch?
The answer's that while the new Subaru Outback does not come standard with a trailer hitch, the option to add and install one is always present and the following accessories are also available for purchase from Subaru: 2-Inch Thule Hitch Adapter. Hitch Mounted Thule 4 Bike Carrier. Thule Hitch Platform 2 Bike Carrier.
How much weight can a Subaru hitch hold?
With the engine that has the most torque output, the Subaru Ascent has the highest towing capacity of all Subaru models. The base model is able to pull 2,000 pounds while all other trims can pull up to 5000 pounds.
Should you tow with a Subaru?
If you're towing for recreational purposes, there's likely a Subaru that will meet your needs as a tow vehicle. According to Chris Charles, Subaru Carline Planning Manager, Subaru advertising promotes roof rails and towing capabilities because that's how Subaru drivers tend to use the vehicles.
What is the disadvantage of a weight distribution hitch?
Considerations and Limitations
WDHs require more setup than a conventional hitch. Hitch height must be determined and set, and there are settings for the spring bar mounting as well. And all this should be determined when both the tow vehicle and trailer are level.
Can you back up with a weight distribution hitch?
Yes, the Equal-i-zer hitch is designed to allow you to back up and take tight turns with the hitch hooked up.
