Can a Subaru Tow a Boat? (Read This First!)

Just like cars, boats can also require towing when they have to be taken from one place to another by road.

But choosing the right vehicle for towing the boat can feel like a difficult job. Today, we are going to discuss about different versions of Subaru and find out whether they can be used to tow a boat or not.

Can a subaru tow a boat?

A subaru vehicle can be used to tow a boat as long as the total weight of the boat does not cross the towing capacity of the Subaru. The total weight will include the boat’s weight and the trailer’s weight. Most of the Subarus have a towing capacity of 15 hundred lbs or more.

Let’s take a look at some subaru vehicles and see if these are capable of towing a boat.

Subaru forester:

Subaru forester is one of the most popular versions of Subaru. Subaru forester is known for offering many options to the buyer. One of the benefits of using a Subaru forester is that it can be used as a towing vehicle.

It is believed by experts that you can use your Subaru forester to tow a boat. The latest model of Subaru forester is the Subaru Forester 2023.

This Subaru forester can tow a boat as long as the boat weighs less than three thousand lbs. But the earlier versions of Subaru forester can only tow a boat with a weight of 15 hundred lbs or less.

Subaru crosstrek:

Subaru crosstrek is a pretty good looking SUV. But it has other benefits as well apart from its looks. For example, Subaru crosstrek can be used as a towing vehicle.

According to experts, Subaru crosstrek can be used to tow different types of boats as long as they weigh 15 hundred lbs or less. The right tools and equipment will also have to be used for the boat towing procedure.

Subaru ascent:

Subaru ascent is pretty popular among the SUV users. The reason behind this is the versatility offered by the Subaru ascent. The latest models of Subaru ascent can even be put to the task as a towing vehicle.

Subaru ascent can easily tow a boat if the boat does not cross the five thousand lbs weight limit. So it is no wonder that Subaru ascent is one of the best Subarus due to its incredible towing ability.

Subaru impreza:

Subaru impreza is a light weight vehicle compared to other versions of Subaru. That is why Subaru impreza is not approved as a towing vehicle.

Even if the right tools and equipment are used, the towing procedure will damage both the Subaru impreza and the boat. Using a Subaru impreza to tow a boat is risky and should be avoided at all cost.

Subaru XV:

Subaru XV may look much from the outside. But it does have an incredible pulling capacity. That is why experts have recommended the use of Subaru XV as a towing vehicle.

The important thing to remember here is that the Subaru XV vehicle can be used to tow a boat as long as right tools and equipment are used. Other important factor is the weight of the boat. The towed boat must not weigh more than 15 hundred lbs.

Subaru legacy:

Just like Subaru impreza, Subaru legacy is also one of the most light weight Subarus.

Subaru legacy is not approved by the experts and the manufacturer as a towing vehicle. The boat will face significant damages if a Subaru legacy is used as a towing vehicle.

Subaru outback:

Subaru outback is a popular SUV due to its versatility. The towing capacity of Subaru outback is thus no surprise. All the latest models of Subaru outback are known for being incredible towing vehicles.

The important thing to remember here is that a boat can also be towed by a Subaru outback. But the weight of the boat must not cross the 35 hundred lbs mark.

Are Subarus good for towing?

There are some things we need to discuss before finding out how good Subarus are for towing. First of all, all the models and versions of Subaru are not good for towing. But it can be safely said that most of the Subarus are great as towing vehicles.

The best Subaru when it comes to towing is the Subaru ascent. Because Subaru ascents are capable of pulling more weight out of all the subarus.

Subaru Forester is also a good towing vehicle. Subarus are good at towing most things as long as they do not cross their weight limit. You should really go through the user manual of your Subaru to find out its towing capacity and stick by it.

Can a subaru tow a pontoon boat?

Pontoon boats are a thing of beauty. They offer much space and comfort to you, your friends and your family. However, the weight of a pontoon boat can be problematic when it comes to towing it. Pontoon boats can weigh as much as two thousand lbs.

But some of the Subarus do have the towing capacity to tow a pontoon boat. Subaru ascent, Subaru Solterra, Subaru Outback, and the latest versions of Subaru Forester can be used to tow a pontoon boat.

What size boat can a Subaru Forester tow? What boats to tow?

Subaru Forester is known for being a good towing vehicle when it comes to towing boats. But the size of the boats is an important factor regarding this. Let’s discuss in detail about what boats can be towed by a Subaru forester.

Can tow canoe boats:

It is believed by experts that Subaru forester vehicle can be used to tow a canoe boat successfully. The reason behind this is the weight of canoe boats. On an average, a canoe boat weights one hundred lbs or less.

On the other hand, the towing capacity of latest Subaru foresters are three thousand lbs. So it is no surprise that Subaru forester is able to tow a canoe boat.

Because the total weight of a canoe boat with the trailer while towing it remains in the range of two hundred lbs.

Can tow kayak boats:

Just like canoe boats, kayak boats also do not weight that much. So the important thing to remember here is that it is more than possible to tow a kayak boat using Subaru forester as the towing vehicle.

The total weight of a kayak boat during the towing procedure will be around two hundred lbs which is well inside the towing capacity of a Subaru forester.

Can tow jetski boats:

Another boat that can be towed by a Subaru forester vehicle is a jetski boat. A jetski boat weighs five hundred lbs on an average. The trailer needed for the towing procedure will bring the total weight up to one thousand lbs.

The latest versions of Subaru Forester possess the towing capacity of three thousand lbs and the old ones possess the towing capacity of 15 hundred lbs. So it is practically possible to tow a jetski boat using a Subaru forester.

Can tow fishing boats:

It is believed by experts that a Subaru forester can tow heavy boats such as fishing boats. However, there are many different kinds and sizes of fishing boats available. Subaru forester has the towing capacity to tow an aluminum fishing boat.

Because the total weight of an aluminum fishing boat stays below two thousand lbs during the towing procedure.

Latest Subaru foresters can thus be used to tow an aluminum fishing boat successfully. But a fiberglass fishing boat can not be towed using a Subaru forester due to excessive total weight of the boat.

Can tow sailboats:

Additionally, sailboats that weigh less than one thousand lbs can be towed using a Subaru forester.

How to tow a boat to a subaru?

Towing a boat using a subaru might seem like a difficult task without prior experience regarding the matter. But there are some specific steps and methods you can follow to accomplish the task.

Check the condition of your Subaru:

First of all, you will need to inspect the condition of your Subaru. The user manual will tell you about the exact towing capacity of your Subaru vehicle.

You will need to calculate the gross weight of your boat including the trailer weight. If the gross weight is below the towing capacity of your Subaru, then you should move forward with the towing procedure.

Attach the trailer:

Next, you will have to get your boat onto the trailer using the right tools and equipment. Then, the trailer will need to be attached to your Subaru using a trailer hitch. The connection should be firm and long lasting.

Start towing it:

Then, you will have to take the boat to the desired destination using your Subaru as the towing vehicle. Precautions should be taken during this step to avoid any damage to the boat or the towing vehicle.

Final Thoughts

A subaru vehicle possesses the ability to tow different kinds and sizes of boats. Canoe boats, kayak boats, jetski boats, sailing boats, and fishing boats are some of the boats that do not cross the towing capacity of most Subarus. Subaru ascent is the strongest towing vehicle amongst the Subarus.