WRX towing capacity, opinions?

Hi Folks, we need your help with this one.

Jerry Dropped me the following email.

Looking into a wrx, drove one today as matter of fact,queston if I may…we have a zodiac boat with a 15 hp engine on a boat trailer total weight approx 700 lbs, we pull it half dozen times a year to our summer place about 3 hours from here. The Subaru dealership says no problem do you have any towing info onwrx

I have no idea how to answer this, can you chime in.

  • #1
    Posted by Timojhen Mark on March 18th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    Also interested in this topic. Just purchased a 2009 WRX, planned on getting a trailer setup eventually. (For a dirtbike, not a boat, but probably same general weight).

    Have a friend who’s done it with an older Impreza, was fine, so I didn’t expect any issues.

  • #2
    Posted by Chuck2001 on March 18th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    2008 WRX tow capacity was 2,000 pounds, very good for a car of this size.

    2009 should be equivalent. The thing is 2009 are only manual so you gotta be good on clutching for not burning it…I’m talking about launches in 1st.

    Let’s say you run it at 1,500-2,000 rpm, try to keep it at this level until the clutch is completly release, then it’s easy.

    But your boat is not even 1,000 pounds, it will be just fine. Do you have enough room for the attachment in the rear of the car ?

  • #3
    Posted by Samer Forzley on March 18th, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    Thanks for the feedback chuck

    You are right, the bumper is pretty low, not sure how you would attache a hitch. Maybe the dealers have a way.

  • #4
    Posted by Alex on March 24th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    I put a hitch on my 2008 Impreza 2.5i sedan. Install was a bit of a bitch cuz you have to cut into the frame rails a little, but towing is quite nice. I’ve towed about 1600 lbs and still get 26 mpg on the highway. I am thinking about a 2009 WRX but I’ve heard that towing with a turbo isn’t a good idea. Anyone hear about this?

  • #5
    Posted by Chuck2001 on March 24th, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    Hey Alex, the thing to check with turbo cars is the heat. For a heavy chare, the engine will frequently require the turbo to kick in. The heat generated by the combo engine/turbo will be higher than normal. In a long-run with heavy charge (more than 1000 pounds), the risk will be greater to damage this combo at the mid-long term. There are others variables such as the condition of the road (mountains…), acceleration required etc…

    I would personally recommend to limit the weight, and the duration of the tow with such a high-performance engine. Keep your 2.5i as plenty of torque is available, and Subaru’s engines are made tough.

    For a turbo-diesel truck, this doesn’t apply as the engine/turbo has been made for towing ! The turbo is heavy duty, and the heat generated is exhausted much more easily.

    PS Sorry if I misspelled sometimes…french canadian.

  • #6
    Posted by Samer Forzley on March 24th, 2009 at 8:23 pm

    It seems to me that 1000 pounds is not a lot put 4 big guys in the car and you got a 1000 pounds to push around.

  • #7
    Posted by Alex on March 24th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    Thanks for the comments. I have read that Subaru has a diesel forester in Europe that I’m hoping they bring stateside. 38 mpg plus 4000#s towing would be spectacular.

  • #8
    Posted by Dale on March 31st, 2009 at 11:48 pm

    Car tow capacity is usually due to wheelbase length, and not due to horsepower. The shorter the wheelbase, the greater the likelihood of jack-knifing when braking.

  • #9
    Posted by cata on April 1st, 2009 at 9:04 am
  • #10
    Posted by Ollie on July 6th, 2009 at 10:12 am

    Well, 4 guys in a car isn’t the same as having a 1,o00 lbs payload being pulled by the car. Cross-winds push and pull the trailer, the weight isn’t evenly distributed within the four wheels, the trailer has a mind of its own, you also have significant wind resistance issues which all put strain on the engine.

  • #11
    Posted by SuberDave on July 19th, 2009 at 12:23 am

    I have seen several Gen2 WRX’s towing dirt bikes (or “a” dirtbike) to the local riding areas. I think, like most of us, riding happens once a week, or month… so it shouldn’t be much of a problem. In Cali, you’re 55mph speed limit with a trailer (wink).

    If someone gets a hitch, let me know.

  • #12
    Posted by SuberDave on July 19th, 2009 at 12:24 am

    And since I am a Suber-Noob, I mean the 2004-2007 style.

  • #13
    Posted by zach on July 30th, 2009 at 1:15 am

    just bought a hitch off ehitch. gonna tow a small trailer with DH bikes on it, and a ski doo summt x sled in the winter.

    whatev it will tow fine.

  • #14
    Posted by scoobyD on January 29th, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    I have an 02 wrx and I pulled a two dirtbike trailer from PHX AZ to FLAG AZ and with a cold air mod and top mount intercooler spray every 30 min. Everything was fine….. Rev up, Clutch drop, pray that those welds hold, tires screech, trailer leeps, drive like its stole… LOVE MY SCOOB

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