[Grumpaw]

Gross Vehicle Weight of the 2018 Crosstrek is 4354 lbs.

Well, 2018 XV weighs in at around 3300 lbs. If gross weight is 4354, that means that you only have weight carrying capacity of around 1000 lbs. And, if you are towing a trailer, than the tongue weight of the hitch will
be pare of that weight limit. If your tongue weight is around 250-300 lbs, than after you gas up and add yourself, your carrying capacity is now down to around 500 lbs.
Not a whole lot is it.
Grumpaw

 

[R P]

Well, 2018 XV weighs in at around 3300 lbs. If gross weight is 4354, that means that you only have weight carrying capacity of around 1000 lbs. And, if you are towing a trailer, than the tongue weight of the hitch will
be pare of that weight limit. If your tongue weight is around 250-300 lbs, than after you gas up and add yourself, your carrying capacity is now down to around 500 lbs.
Not a whole lot is it.
Grumpaw

No, the gross weight (GVWR) is the max weight of the vehicle, not the towing capacity. The tongue weight however does become part of the vehicle weight.

Here is an excerpt from a regs explanation:
When you're towing a trailer, one last point to remember is that the entire weight of the trailer is not considered to be a part of your vehicle's GVW; however, the tongue weight -- the weight of the part of the trailer that actually attaches to your trailer hitch -- is part of your vehicle's GVW. Again, none of this changes your vehicle's GVWR. Trailers have their own specific gross vehicle weight ratings that, similar to the tow vehicle's GVWR should never be exceeded.

 

[R P]

No, the gross weight (GVWR) is the max weight of the vehicle, not the towing capacity. The tongue weight however does become part of the vehicle weight.

Here is an excerpt from a regs explanation:
When you're towing a trailer, one last point to remember is that the entire weight of the trailer is not considered to be a part of your vehicle's GVW; however, the tongue weight -- the weight of the part of the trailer that actually attaches to your trailer hitch -- is part of your vehicle's GVW. Again, none of this changes your vehicle's GVWR. Trailers have their own specific gross vehicle weight ratings that, similar to the tow vehicle's GVWR should never be exceeded.

Just did a bit of googling, and I can see why there is sometimes confusion. With trucks there are often 2 gross weights given in the specs. These are GVWR (total max weight of the vehicle) and GCWR. The latter is the Gross Combined Weight Rating, and includes the weight of the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. Subaru does not give a GCWR in their spec, just a towing capacity.

 

[Grumpaw]

No, the gross weight (GVWR) is the max weight of the vehicle, not the towing capacity. The tongue weight however does become part of the vehicle weight.

Here is an excerpt from a regs explanation:
When you're towing a trailer, one last point to remember is that the entire weight of the trailer is not considered to be a part of your vehicle's GVW; however, the tongue weight -- the weight of the part of the trailer that actually attaches to your trailer hitch -- is part of your vehicle's GVW. Again, none of this changes your vehicle's GVWR. Trailers have their own specific gross vehicle weight ratings that, similar to the tow vehicle's GVWR should never be exceeded.

RP, re-read my post. Never said that weight of trailer was part of GVWR, just the tongue weight.
I just used a weight of 250-300 lbs for the approx tongue weight of that U Haul box trailer loaded with 1000-1500 lbs of "stuff". I have towed one of those trailers loaded top to bottom, but was hauling it with a full size pick up.
Grumpaw

 

[R P]

RP, re-read my post. Never said that weight of trailer was part of GVWR, just the tongue weight.
I just used a weight of 250-300 lbs for the approx tongue weight of that U Haul box trailer loaded with 1000-1500 lbs of "stuff". I have towed one of those trailers loaded top to bottom, but was hauling it with a full size pick up.
Grumpaw

Sorry, when I read "carrying capacity" I thought you were including the weight of the trailer. But if you are just referring to the Payload of the vehicle, then yes, of course, that is reduced by the tongue weight and is part of your GVWR.

 

[R P]

I can see why this can be a confusing subject, though. I see that truck manufacturers often advertise their GCVWR which is the combined weight of the truck and towed vehicle. The higher number sounds better, but can be misleading if the truck weight is higher when compared to another lighter truck with the same rating.

 

[Grumpaw]

I can see why this can be a confusing subject, though. I see that truck manufacturers often advertise their GCVWR which is the combined weight of the truck and towed vehicle. The higher number sounds better, but can be misleading if the truck weight is higher when compared to another lighter truck with the same rating.

Trust me RP, it can be and is confusing for those who only tow occasionally.
Been towing campers and fifth wheel's since the 60's, and now own a motorhome that I tow the XV with. Always have to look at GVWR and GCVWR when loading a vehicle and towing a vehicle or trailer.
I always err on the side of caution when loading the motorhome, and pretty much know what everything weighs.

Just because a vehicle CAN tow something you hook up to it dosen't mean you SHOULD tow it. I can fit a fifth wheel bed mount trailer hitch to a Ford Ranger pickup. Dosen't mean I can tow a 30 foot 12,000 lb fifth wheel camper with it.
Grumpaw

 

[WISCrosstrek]

Towed a U-Haul 5x8 trailer from Wisconsin to Colorado (1000+ miles each way) last week. Worst part was it completely killed my mileage, pretty much cut it in half. I was lucky to average low 20s and that was only on the return trip with an empty trailer and keeping the cruise control at 65 mph.

 

[RallyeBourne]

Testing one of the trailers for work. Had a blast up in Big Bear. These trailers are TOUGH.

Disclaimer: I, in no way, suggest, recommend, condone, or otherwise support towing above SoA’s recommended tow capacity. I hold no liability if you decide to do so.


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[jimc99999]

Just moved from Florida to Arizona towing a trailer. Tongue weight was around 350 lbs. The trailer has brakes, I'll make a post about installing the brake controller later. It's obviously not ideal, but it worked. I averaged around 14 mpg at 65 mph on the relatively flat lands east of New Mexico. From Albaquerque to Flagstaff was brutal, 5000-7000 feet and 30mph headwinds, was probably closer to 10mpg at 55mph average for that stretch. I would get a shorter trailer next time, the interior height is nice when standing inside the trailer but unnecessary and adds a lot of frontal area.

 

[R P]

Hauled my boat (3500 lbs) out to our lake cabin this spring. Towed it with ease, much better than I expected.

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

Should I??? Shouldn't I????

(No, I didn't actually hook this up to my Crosstrek, in case anybody's wondering).

 

[mtnhorserider]

Does agricultural equipment get better financing loans? Insurance....ehhhhh?

 

[fuel98rider]

I can handle the towing capacity of the Crosstrek. With the Draw-Tite 2” hitch, it has no problem pulling this trailer.

2013 Magic Tilt PWC trailer- 250 lbs
Yakima bars and mounts- 50 lbs
WS Tarpon 120- 63 lbs (the Dagger Katana 10.4 weighs 56 lbs in this pic)
Perception Pescador 10- 50 lbs
Perception Rambler x2- 43 lbs

Right at 510 lbs. Pulls well, no problems with the engine or transmission. Pulled this to Bryson City, NC from Atlanta this past Memorial Day weekend, over the mountains on 441, easily. My 2008 Outback Limited pulled this all over the SE, from Florida to North Carolina with no issues as well. Keep it at what it's rated, and you won't have any issues.


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[Rider212]

Hi,

I'm checking in to bump this thread up again. Last winter I was debating either ordering a small 4x8 enclosed trailer or using a hitch mounted carrier for my dirtbike (you’ll see my questions a few pages back). I didn't have enough data, so I decided just to stick with my flatbed 5x8 for the year. My flatbed works fantastic in the summer, but when I head south in the winter I'd love to use a hitch mounted carrier. Just checking if anyone on this forum is doing that. I've got a Curt 2" receiver on my 2018. My dirtbike is super light, probably 210 with fuel. Then add another 60lbs or so for the hitch carrier.

Here is my current setup I use in the summer, but I’d like to have the option to hitch mount my bike down south a few times every winter.

 

[runout]

My dirtbike is super light, probably 210 with fuel. Then add another 60lbs or so for the hitch carrier.

You might want to check with Curt on that one. Seems like that's a lot of tongue weight, especially considering you'll be cantilevered out further than the normal ball position with the carrier. I'd think this extra leverage might multiply the effective tongue weight (your 270lb setup might torque the hitch as if it was much heavier, because it's further away from the hitch mounting points).

Normally I'm a DIY guy, but here I'd shoot them an email, they've got engineers to look at stuff like that. It would really suck to be wrong.

 

[Raleighmclemore]

What do I tow.

I have the factory installed hitch on my 2018 Crosstrek Limited. I installed my own 2" ball on it. Oddly enough my very light (less than 200 lbs) Malone Kayak Trailer requires a 2" ball, but my ancient Coleman Redwood Popup Tent Camper requires 1.75 inch ball. I've also towed the 4X6 Uhaul trailer with "gorilla hair" for our garden. The Crosstrek tows them all very well. When towing the camper our mileage to Yosemite from Oakland, usually about 30, dropped to 27. We often camp near Tioga Pass (about 10,000 feet) and the mileage up the hill is approx. 22-24 so I fill up before climbing the hills. I used to use my Corolla so I wasn't surprised of the Crosstrek doing well, Corolla got better mileage but got pushed a bit on long downhill sections.

Only glitch I have discovered is to be constantly aware of reverse braking trying to slam on the brakes when you first begin to back up. You can continue to back up past the auto braking and it works fine, but the first slam as the system sees the trailer is sometimes a surprise. Couldn't figure out how to keep it off when I'm towing though.

Overall I'm really pleased with "Scooby" (my grand kids name) and towing. It won't race up Tioga Pass with the Coleman hanging in back though. I especially like how I can see over the trailer now to the rear.

Raleigh

 

[warmwind76]

Only glitch I have discovered is to be constantly aware of reverse braking trying to slam on the brakes when you first begin to back up. You can continue to back up past the auto braking and it works fine, but the first slam as the system sees the trailer is sometimes a surprise. Couldn't figure out how to keep it off when I'm towing though.

RAB can be temporarily disabled. When the vehicle is set to reverse, the following screen is displayed:

Touch the bottom left icon to temporarily turn RAB off.

 

[Rider212]

Okay, so... based on the comments about NOT using a hitch hauler with the Crosstrek, I upgraded from my flatbed to an enclosed trailer. I ordered the very smallest and shortest trailer that could possibly fit a dirt bike. Of course, my mileage took a HUGE hit. But at least I can stay overnight at hotels without freaking out too much. There's still no guarantee a thief won't break in. To that point I purposely didn't put any "racing" decals on the trailer to leave it as inconspicuous as possible.

Anyway, on a 2200 mile trip I averaged 15.2mpg. That was actual, not on the computer. My computer listed almost 17mpg. I wish my mileage was better with this trailer. It certainly is a drop compared to hauling my bike on my little flatbed. When I use my flatbed I rip along at 80mph and think nothing of it. One thing is for sure... when pulling this new trailer I avoid anything over 70mph! I set my cruise at 68mph, even in an 80mph zone. I probably would have gotten better MPG, but a good portion of that trip I was bucking a headwind. In the strongest wind I dropped down to 60mph.

 

[Vivamana]

Hi there!
I’m going to a 3,345 miles road trip to Central America and plan to FLAT TOW 4wheels in the ground my 1998 Tacoma that weighs 3,400 whats your input. Thanks in advance.
(4WD can’t be flat tow reason why I’m towing with my crosstrek instead)