[pro10is]

Despite the fact that the Ascent can't use a weight-distributing/anti-sway hitch, and has limited tow capacities, I still feel Subaru properly designed this vehicle to be a decent mid-range tow vehicle based upon the reports that have already come in on its towing capabilities and performance. We'll need to keep an eye on long term reliability, especially the CVT transmission, but I believe it'll hold up.

I don't think towing was an afterthought on this vehicle, if it was, Subaru would not have had the confidence to spec a 5,000-pound tow rating. After all, the Tribecca was only rated for 2,000 pounds. I think, this time, Subaru designed this vehicle from the ground up with decent towing capabilities in mind. They've been (perhaps over) aggressive in their official ads showing off the Ascent's towing capabilities - pulling a heavy boat out of the water on a muddy ramp, and showing the Ascent pulling a 4,300-pound Airstream. If they lacked confidence in the Ascent's towing capabilities, they would have been foolish to do this.

From Subaru website:

I have confidence the Ascent can routinely handle a 3,500-pound class trailer even on long hauls. I plan to use it as such, touring the country with a travel trailer.

 

[pro10is]

Expanding on my post above, the trailer Subaru chose for their ad appears to be an Airstream Caravel 22FB.

Here are the specs for the 22FB:

I think it's interesting to note that this trailer is probably bigger and heavier than most of us would choose to safely select for use with the Ascent. The hitch weight exceeds the Ascent's maximum hitch weight and the GVWR is right at the maximum. It's a 4,000 lb trailer, most of us probably would agree that it's a bit too heavy. Yet of all the trailers available, for reasons unknown, Subaru specifically chose this one to feature in their ad for the Ascent. I find that interesting.

 

[Ruben Marin]

We have 3 relatively long trips done with our travel trailer now and I can say it handles it well. As soon as possible I will get a loaded weight for the trailer, but I can also safely say the Ascent handles the weight with ease. The sway is another story with a large travel trailer, but the Sway command system on the trailer really helps I highly recommend it.

 

[Mike’s Ascent]

Correct.

Absolutely NO weight distributing or anti sway hitch. Subaru engineers know how they designed the Ascent.

Using one WILL damage your Ascent.

Use the OEM receiver, and the hitch that comes with it, or a highly rated drop hitch.

Hi from Quebec City, New Ascent owner here!

Thanks so much for all the great info. I will be towing a travel trailer with a total of 4,000 pounds weight all in. I understand now that weight distribution and sway systems are NOT recommended. So I did a 30-minute test drive and it went fine. Even though the trailer is perfectly level, I do find the back wheels on my Ascent are a bit caved-in, and back of the car slightly lowered, more than my previous car (Infinity QX 60) WITH weight distribution system. Any potential long term consequence with the suspension on my Ascent? I am thinking in the matter of the Ascent not getting back to normal height once the hitch is removed after towing?

Glad to be back with Subaru again. I had to sell my previous Outback years ago when we started needing a 5000 tow vehicle, now everything is back to normal!

Thanks if anyone can help.

 

[FirstSubie]

Mike, what is your tongue weight? Also, describe more about "caved in." My Ascent presses down back there, but my tires/suspension look fine. I do add 2-3 psi to my rear tires when towing.
F.S.

 

[Mike’s Ascent]

Thanks for your reply, by caved in I mean the usual wheel wells covering the top of the tire as the car body lowers a bit over the wheels. Not major as I have seen worst, but when driving you do feel the front end being tilted upwards a bit. Trailer tongue weight is 460...tempted to use the dist bars with just a slight tension but won’t do it.

 

[Ken Myers]

How much does your loaded trailer weigh?

Oops, I see you stated 4000 lb. as your loaded weight. That seems like a reasonable tongue weight, although just a little bit above the 440 lb. that would be 11% of total trailer weight for a 4000 lb. loaded trailer weight.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

You're pushing the limits being so close to the 500 lb tongue weight and yes, it's a natural thing for the front end to begin to feel light and less responsive. In most other vehicles, a WDH would be specifically used to re-balance between the front and rear axles of the tow vehicle, but that's not possible with the Ascent. Rather, it's best to see if things in the trailer can be shifted a little to reduce the tongue weight a little to help remediate that light feeling. There's a limit to that, however, without getting into trailer stability issues, unfortunately.

 

[Mike’s Ascent]

You're pushing the limits being so close to the 500 lb tongue weight and yes, it's a natural thing for the front end to begin to feel light and less responsive. In most other vehicles, a WDH would be specifically used to re-balance between the front and rear axles of the tow vehicle, but that's not possible with the Ascent. Rather, it's best to see if things in the trailer can be shifted a little to reduce the tongue weight a little to help remediate that light feeling. There's a limit to that, however, without getting into trailer stability issues, unfortunately.

Thanks for your comment. Our trailer has the bed in the front, the entry door is at the back where most of our take-with-us gear goes, behind the double axles. We don’t take much equipment as there are only 2 of us. Been hauling travel trailers for a long time, but I admit this not being able to use my WDS was quite a surprise. Furthermore, the Subaru hitch/ball set gets so close to the car that My my liftgate is totally unusable. With my previous Infiniti (plus the WDS), the hitch was longer and I could have access to the trunk via the liftgate. I wish Subaru had supplier a longer hitch set, to make it more universal.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

You do not need to use the ball mount that came with your Ascent...you can use a more extended one of your choice. These are standard products. Just be aware that the Subaru provided ball mount is a 6" drop so if it set the correct height for a level trailer, you'll want a 6" drop on whatever "longer" ball mount you buy. That said...you're moving the tongue weight even farther away from the axle, so it will (slightly) affect balance in a negative way.

 

[Mike’s Ascent]

You do not need to use the ball mount that came with your Ascent...you can use a more extended one of your choice. These are standard products. Just be aware that the Subaru provided ball mount is a 6" drop so if it set the correct height for a level trailer, you'll want a 6" drop on whatever "longer" ball mount you buy. That said...you're moving the tongue weight even farther away from the axle, so it will (slightly) affect balance in a negative way.

I agree 100%. I do have the longer hitch Reese Pro series I used with the infiniti, it is ajustable in height, made to accept dist bars and sway, but weighs a friggin ton compared to the Subaru one. Somehow the Subie liftgate only opens a few more inches but the electric center pole gets in the way still (it barely cleared the gate on the infiniti). With all the weight saved, no dist bars and just one of two propane tank filled, my Ascent will hopefully thank me

By the way, the Ascent is a much more dynamic and entertaining drive than the infiniti QX60 - no comparison. The QX is smoother...but boring unfortunately, with a lot of body roll exiting freeways. The Ascent drives more like a car by comparison.

 

[FirstSubie]

Yes the electric pole being in the way of the lift gate can be annoying. On the flip side, since your setup pushes so close to the tongue limit, I imagine that you have minimum stuff stored behind the third row. All of that contributes to the rear end drop.
F.S.

 

[Mike’s Ascent]

Well, our first drive with the camping trailer is now complete and everything went just great! Drove from Quebec to Kennybunkport, about 400 miles / 650km

I was in strong doubt about not using the weight dist bars and sway bar, but thanks to the great info-help on this forum, my confidence was 100% after just a few minutes behind the wheel hauling our Coachmen 204RD camping trailer. Here are a few notes:

1. Our previous camper was a Jayco Skylark at 3500 pounds, pulled by a V6 - 295hp infiniti QX60 with full weight dist bars and sway. Incredibly, with the Ascent, our 4000 pounds current camping trailer with no weight bars and no sway felt LIGHTER, and more nimble to pull.

2. The automated lane change protection, with it’s quick reacting small jerks of the steering wheel, did create some sway action. This is more evident on narrower roads where more concentration is needed to keep the vehicle perfectly centered on the road, and avoid that auto correction of the steering wheel. Conclusion: hauling my trailer, this lane return system is better turned off, but this still no big deal either way.

3. A very pleasant, comfortable ride, the A’s engine has nice torgue and you forget you are hauling 4000+ pounds at the back, and this with close to full 500 tongue weight limit.

4. My feeling is that Subaru went very conservative with their towing specs. I cannot believe I can just ditch those clunky weight bars and still maintain a confident drive with the car’s rear end not dropping much. Honestly, it almost feel like I am towing my Coleman Bayside pop-up of twenty years ago. Very impressed.

5. Overall comfort and enjoyment is great with that huge glass panel at the roof, and that awesome set of navigation and sound system.

Summing-up, an awesome vehicle, well designed from the wheels up!

 

[FirstSubie]

That's awesome feedback. Really valuable comparison. I was worried about your being so close to the tongue weight limit, and it's great to hear that it performed so well.

Yep I absolutely turn Lane Keeping Assist off when I tow. No need for inputs that might unnecessarily jiggle the system (besides my own!).

Wow the QX60 was runner up to the Ascent in my decision-making. Distant 2nd, but there was a possibility. Haven't looked back, and your testament reinforces my decision!

F.S.

 

[flysquasher]

Two weeks ago we completed our Christmas in July trip. We towed our 4000lb GeoPro 19FBS from Texas to Ohio. It was a 2600 mile round trip with two teenagers and all their equipment. We towed through the mountains in TN and the Ascent did awesome! It was weighted down but never had any issue. The only downside is that the 17 gallon tank doesn't last very long at 9mpg. The trip home was made straight through so that's a testament to the Subaru's build quality. Not sure any of the Manufacturers towing tests was towing 60+mph for 21 of 24 hours!

 

[JeffJBrown]

Robert,

You post is VERY thorough and complete. I too am getting pressure from the RV sales place to add a WDH with sway system. Your post has a question mark (

) where you posted "Subaru says not to:". Can you provide the statement from Subaru?

Thank you very much!

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Robert,

You post is VERY thorough and complete. I too am getting pressure from the RV sales place to add a WDH with sway system. Your post has a question mark ( View attachment 1252 ) where you posted "Subaru says not to:". Can you provide the statement from Subaru?

Thank you very much!

It's in your manual. If you can't find it, let me know and I will grab it on break.

 

[JeffJBrown]

I cannot find it in my printed manual or the downloaded one.

Sorry to be a pain.

 

[Ken Myers]

2019 Ascent manual p.395, left column
"Use only the ball mount supplied with this hitch. Use the hitch only as a weight carrying hitch. Do not use with any type of weight distributing hitch."

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Robert,

You post is VERY thorough and complete. I too am getting pressure from the RV sales place to add a WDH with sway system. Your post has a question mark ( View attachment 1252 ) where you posted "Subaru says not to:". Can you provide the statement from Subaru?

Thank you very much!

It's in your manual. If you can't find it, let me know and I will grab it on break.

Here ya go!

https://cdn.subarunet.com/stis/doc/ownerManual/MSA5M1900D_STIS.pdf

Page 387:
"Use the hitch only as a weight carrying hitch. Do not use with any type of weight distributing hitch."

Their Product Managers were more verbose on the matter, but since I didn't record the conversation, I'd be paraphrasing, which I'd rather not do, especially considering the length and detail of our conversation on towing.

Short version is, the Ascent is designed to be rear loaded on the rear end, via the sub-frame support "reinforcements" that come with the OEM hitch, and is not designed to have the weight distributed across the entire frame.