I just bought a little teardrop camper that’s ~1000 pounds and trying to figure out which car to use to pull it. I don’t know the true weight - it has a fridge, tv and AC unit in it. Trailer doesn’t have brakes.
I have an 07 CRV-EX-L with 160k miles and an ‘18 CRV—EX-L with 60k miles. Each can tow 1500 pounds which I feel is getting close to the limit.
I’ve been checking out other cars and like the 2017-2020 Subaru Outback XT (Limited).
1) if you were me, would you just use the CRV - which one? And should I change the trans fluid more frequently?
2) thoughts on buying a different car? - which one? (I don’t want to buy new and def don’t want a huge car like a Pilot. CRV is about my size limit.)
Thanks for your advice and opinions.
I would not try to tow anything using a vehicle equipped with a CVT.
If it was me, I'd look for a new/used car with a "towing package". They generally include auxiliary trans coolers, heavy duty springs/shocks, etc. as well as the hitch, trailer electrical connectors, etc.
The RAV4 has a towing package option - here's some info
https://www.rav4world.com/threads/towing-package.261497/
And, no CVT
A vehicle that can only tow 1500 is not really designed to tow much of anything. Maybe a tiny trailer and lawnmower.
If the weight is pushing the limit, keep in mind that if you have passengers in the car, you are adding more weight for the car to pull. Also any water you carry, or anything added to the trailer. Campers are well known for being heavier than people expect.
I wouldn't want to kill a nice crv towing anything.
Of the ones you mentioned, I would only tow with the CRV.
My wife and I have a bigger teardrop trailer (NuCamp tab 320) that we tow with either my GMC truck or her V8 Grand Cherokee. We recently went to a NuCamp rally, and for sure , the most popular to vehicle for the smaller (tag) trailers was a Subaru Outback. Turns out they are actually quite effective at the job.
But I cringed every time I saw one, for exactly the reason @chucktobias said - the Subaru CVTs just aren’t robust enough for towing. CVT failure is probably the most common big-$ repair on contemporary Subaru’s. They’re getting better, but I don’t think I would put any unnecessary stresses on them.
I suppose that you could probably be ok with an Outback XT for short trips on the flatlands.
Maybe just go with what you have for now, but ask around campgrounds to get first hand experience from others with similar trailers.
Welcome new member!
PS: the ideal tow rig for your little teardrop would probably be a Tacoma, or maybe a V6 highlander. But I understand what you are saying about wanting to stay small.
