2 sled trailer behind a Subaru wagon?

[FNG]

Ok so yet another FNG question...

Does anyone out there tow a 2 sled trailer (with sleds) behind a Subaru Outback wagon???? is it safe??? any special problems or concerns???

Very new to sledding and I'm currently looking for a trailer. I have a 2000 Subaru outback wagon and I was initially thinking of getting a used 2 sled trailer but I'm now considering looking for a single sled rig instead as the rated towing weight for the wagon is 1000 lbs if the trailer has no brakes and 2000 lbs if the trailer has brakes. As I'm not really finding any used trailers at all with brakes, and as the pocket book is not so deep right now arround x-mass, I am starting to consider some kind of trailer "kit" or utility trailer to haul my 01 Ski-Doo Summit.

Any suggestions?

What do you guys with 1 sled and no honkin big truck haul your sleds with.

Thanks

FNG

 

[CCRider]

Until I bought the system I use for my truckbed now, I used a 4x10 utility trailer. It has a single 3500 lb axel,and served me well hauling my ATV as well as my '97' AC 550. The sled is just under 10' long, so it was a good fit. It was hard to drag off,so i put some plastic down to cover the wood floor.
Towing with a smaller rig means being extra careful....but you should be OK if you don't overdrive your set-up.I'd be packing chains and running snow tires, not all-season tires if I were you.

 

[JJFlash]

Our friends pull a 12' triton behind their Forrester. Not perfect for highway, as it doesn't care for 60+mph. He says that it keeps hunting in and out of OD. It gets about 14-15 mpg towing. John says that with studless snows, he's never had a problem.

 

[Summitstef]

What is your towing capacity on your subaru? It should have some specs somewhere. Be very careful. I've witnessed some pretty stupid stuff. Like a Jeep TJ with a two place with three sleds on it and a Toyota 4 runner hauling a four place enclosed! If your trailer and cargo weighs more than the tow vehicle, have fun driving down a icy hill and then trying to slow down. Carry extra briefs to switch out the soiled ones!

 

[RockyMtn.Kris]

You will be the topic of discussion at the Snowparks for sure A mans gotta do whata mans gotta do.

 

[anchorman]

I've towed with all kinds of interesting stuff. I've towed with both a Toyota shortbed reg cab (that probably weighed less than your Sub) and a Buick Park Ave (that certainly weighed more, but was less "snow-worthy"). It just took some common sense and the willingness to take my time.

I think you'd be okay in the subaru for sure. I'd find a tilt-bed 8x8 pr 8x10 drive on, drag off lightweight trailer (like a Yacht Club, spirit, range, etc.). Used ones can be picked up from 300 to 500 bucks all day long. You can haul one sled up the middle 90% of the time and then if you find a bud to go with and he wants to tow, you've got room for him on your trailer. This trailer isn't going to weigh much more than a single place and it won't cost much more either, but at least you would have the flexibility of growing with it or using it with others.

 

[wwtbuick]

I have an 03 Outback that I used to pull my two place trailer with a 1000 lbs hot tub on it and my trailer is 580 lbs, and you can do it, I wouldnt do it without brakes. I had it on dry pavement, I would be scared to death on anything slick, With one sled you could probably do it with two it would be a load, also depends on what kinda hills you have to pull any steep long grades are going to kill you my car has the 4banger and I dont think it would have enough power to pull the mountains. Also does your car have the hitch and wiring on it already? If dont have one yet I would suggest dealing with a Subaru dealer on one talk them into giving you a discount, before you buy one, I tried an aftermarket on mine and it didnt fit properly and couldnt make it fit, had to send it back and went to Subaru and got my hitch for around $275 and it had the plugin and wiring included, and was way easier than the aftermarket to put on. I was concidering pulling two sleds with mine when I got the hitch but I would only do one now, And after my trip with the tub I wouldnt take it to the mountains with a sled unless the roads were clear, and then I wouldnt do it without chains and real good tires at the least, I highly recommend brakes.
Where are you going to be driving flat ground or mountains?

 

[TimD]

The question should not be if you can tow it, but if you can stop it.

 

[94fordguy]

The question should not be if you can tow it, but if you can stop it.

That is the best point you can make. Even a tiny amount of snow can change driving and stopping ability immensly, be careful.

 

[justadude]

Good point

The question should not be if you can tow it, but if you can stop it.

 

[skibreeze]

The question should not be if you can tow it, but if you can stop it.

I've never seen electric brakes on a 2 place, but that would be a great solution for such a small tow vehicle.

 

[volcano buster]

Similar to the Sub is the Ford Escape. My wife has one and I was thinking the same thing about being able to tow my 2-place with it. I took the bang board off the front for a summer trip to McCall (visit family) and put the 600# quad in the center to cut wind drag. I was disappointed on the performance just running on flat dry pavement. After that trip I was convinced that I didn't want to take even one sled up in the snow to ride. I was both concerned about towing it in deep snow (unplowed road or lot) or coming back down the hill having to stop very quickly.

If you are thinking that you wish to do this, I would recommend the single trailer so you aren't tempted to overload it, and the trailer tires may track in the ruts of the car thus causing less drag (where the 2 place would be wider). Get the proper hitch and good tires. Trailer brakes would be nice but may be hard to get set up on such a small trailer and a vehicle not necessarily designed for towing.

 

[Gimpster]

Now there is some info I can use. I was going to pick up an Escape for my wife's X-mas present. If they are worthless for pulling even a two place sled trailer.... I am not signing the check

----- Gimpster -----

 

[JJFlash]

Drive like a human being and you'll be fine. In addition to our friends in the Forrester, WE have been towing sleds with a car since 2005. Spend the $$ on studless snows (all 4 corners) and take 'er easy. We have never had trouble stopping on snow or ice. Your 'Bu should have a 2000lb tow rating, so two sleds on a 10' aluminum won't be a problem.

 

[autowrench]

We've towed 2 sleds behind our Forester. It is a manual, so we just gear down. It almost never will pull 5th loaded that way. Still got over 20 Mpg towing. Just be careful.
Tom

 

[FNG]

Hey, thanks for the replies and info... I live at 3500ft and the primary riding take off areas around here are at about 6000-6500ft and a 40 min drive in nasty winter driving/storm conditions... (about 20-25 miles), the road is gennerally well plowed and cindered as it is the main access to the local ski mountain (Mt Bachelor). I have studded snow tires all around during the winter and yes, pulling the sled/trailer probubly isn't the problem, stopping power and mass of the tow vehicle is really what I was most concerned with. There are no real steep sections but some fairly long straight grades between here and the riding.

As former Paramedic and Intensive care Nurse and long time outdoor entheusiast I am well aware of the stupid factor creating a lot of peoples problems, I am hoping to not be creating my own and therefore I'm asking the collective hive for information, again, thanks for the info... keep it comin.

I am definately new to the sport so I'm hoping to be develloping a whole new set of bud's, I have one snowmobile bud so far but more is better, and hopefully they will have larger tow rigs. I plan on joining one of the 3 regional clubs and the state association as well and am looking foreward to a great season... it just started snowing yesterday, (whoo-hooo!)

I'll probubly go with the utillity trailer as they seem to be easier to find around here, I havn't seen any one place tilt beds around her at all.

Cheers!

 

[rmkboxer]

I would say if you don't really want trailer brakes in the snow. it will be slow thats for sure but you will eventually get there. I'm sure the trans isn't going to like it at all and watch your engine temp they like to blow head gaskets

 

[ELKMAN]

you can tow your car is rated for 2000 lbs towing and 200 lb tongue weight doesnt matter if you have trailer brakes or not i have installed many tow packages on subarus and yet to install a trialer brake set up on one ive ben a subaru senior master tech for 15 years the tribeca on the other hand with the trans cooler can tow 3k lbs.

 

[Doolerious]

Sounds like it'll work by the numbers, just take it easy. I personally would like to see ya get rid of the wagon and get a real Subaru like a Brat, and put a two place sled deck on it. Now that would be slick!!

 

[Tackbtch]

Sounds like you have a fair amount of common sense...it will work for for now. Dino