 |
|
09-04-2011, 11:36 AM
|
#1
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 68
|
Subaru Outback as dinghy
I tow a 2011 Subaru with a manual transmission four down with a BrakeBuddy behind a 2012 Phaeton. No problems except that the battery will be found to be discharged after a day’s towing. I had a toad-charger installed two days ago. I towed the Outback to the shop where the charger was installed (90 miles round trip) and when I unhooked after returning home, the battery was discharged. Any thoughts re the cause and solution to this problem ? Thanks. 
|
|
|
 |
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
|
09-04-2011, 12:45 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Anacortes, WA (Stick & Brick)
Posts: 2,643
|
According to all the lists i've looked at, NO Subaru can be towed, except in an emergency breakdawn for a short distance. They can't be dolly towed either, snce the 4WD can't be disconnected and so must be trailered. As far as I understood, the restricyion apples to both auto and stick transmissions.
__________________
Frank Damp -Anacortes, WA,(DW- Eileen)
ex-pat Brits (1968) and ex-RVers.
|
|
|
|
|
09-04-2011, 01:05 PM
|
#3
|
|
Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 93
|
I have towed a 04 forester manual for years 4 down no problems at all Can not speak for 2011
Joe(Ka6bud)
|
|
|
|
|
09-04-2011, 01:53 PM
|
#4
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 68
|
According to Subaru, the Outback AWD with manual transmission can be towed flat and I have done so since Jan11 for more 6,000 miles without issue except for discharging the battery.
From Subaru
3. Can I tow a Subaru behind my motorhome?
AWD Subaru vehicles with manual transmissions can be towed with all four wheels on the ground and the transmission in neutral.
|
|
|
|
|
09-04-2011, 01:54 PM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 182
|
Manual transmission Subarus can be towed 4 down, see
https://www.subaru.com/my-subaru/faq.html
I have towed my 00 Outback manual for the last 3 years and about 15,000 miles with no ill effect.
Quote:
Originally Posted by frankdamp
According to all the lists i've looked at, NO Subaru can be towed, except in an emergency breakdawn for a short distance. They can't be dolly towed either, snce the 4WD can't be disconnected and so must be trailered. As far as I understood, the restricyion apples to both auto and stick transmissions.
|
__________________
97 Discovery 36RS
00 Subaru
|
|
|
|
|
09-04-2011, 04:37 PM
|
#6
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: oregon
Posts: 88
|
Manual tranny Subarus are flat towable. I towed 1999 and 2008 Outback wagons with absolutely no problems and no restrictions. As for why the battery discharges, especially with a Toad Charger, I have no idea. Make sure you aren't in the accessory position. As I recall I went to accessory then lightly pushed in and backed off with the key until it sort of found a "notch" at which point the radio or whatever was powered up, turned off. You can also lock the doors with the key in the ignition so if you are having any trouble with that, let me know.
__________________
John
2015 Coachmen Sportscoach Cross Country 360DL
Towing 2017 Ford Explorer
|
|
|
|
|
09-04-2011, 06:47 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Head of the Lakes, Minnesota
Posts: 575
|
I found with our '98 Outback that with the key in the accessory position (so the steering would turn) that the backlight for the radio display stayed on, Even with the time display and radio turned off, the battery would drain after 2 days travel, even after pulling the radio fuse. There has to be a current draw some where other than the Brake Buddy I use. I've ended up running the engine for 10-15 min every day to keep the battery up.
I've also put the largest battery in that will fit the space. Several times in the past I've cranked up the MH generator and used the battery charger to recharge the toad battery.
__________________
FMCA# 266040 HRRVC# 84109
2000 32' HR Vacationer w/Banks
'98 Subaru Outback 5 spd toad
|
|
|
|
|
09-04-2011, 08:47 PM
|
#8
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: oregon
Posts: 88
|
SRT,
You need to go one more notch so that the radio backlight goes out. The steering will still be unlocked.
__________________
John
2015 Coachmen Sportscoach Cross Country 360DL
Towing 2017 Ford Explorer
|
|
|
|
|
09-05-2011, 05:14 AM
|
#9
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 68
|
Sandpiper, I will give that a try when we go out this week. I have been carrying a charger with me for occasional use and have also beening rujnning the care or hooking up the charger at the end of the day. Hope to avoid both.
|
|
|
|
|
09-05-2011, 06:13 AM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 211
|
Why not just run the charging line from the MH to the Subaru? After I did that I never had an issue with the Subaru battering being discharged.
__________________
2009 Monaco Camelot
2015 RAM 2500
Blue Ox Aventa LX
|
|
|
|
|
09-05-2011, 08:07 AM
|
#11
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: oregon
Posts: 88
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptPat
Why not just run the charging line from the MH to the Subaru? After I did that I never had an issue with the Subaru battering being discharged.
|
I would do that, too, just to have peace of mind.
__________________
John
2015 Coachmen Sportscoach Cross Country 360DL
Towing 2017 Ford Explorer
|
|
|
|
|
09-05-2011, 08:23 AM
|
#12
|
|
RV Mutant #14
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 17,209
|
Myself, I would consider putting in a quick disconnect switch like on the motorhomes. Any braking system could be run directly off the battery.
What ever decision, good luck.
__________________
Wayne MSGT USMC (Ret) & Earlene (CinCHouse) RVM14 (ARS: KE5QG)
Lexi - Goldendoodle
2015 Winnebago Tour 42QD - 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve
It is what it is, and then it is what you make of it.
|
|
|
|
|
09-05-2011, 09:22 AM
|
#13
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Lakebay, WA
Posts: 174
|
Why not just remove the locking pin on the steering wheel?
|
|
|
|
|
09-05-2011, 10:06 AM
|
#14
|
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 68
|
How does one remove the pin ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
