Looking for a bit of trailer advice...

We pulled a 5x8 utility trailer sometimes with two bikes or a bike and a scooter, along with a full complement of track stuff...we pulled it with our vr6 vw jetta. Granted it was a manual transmission, it did an excellent job.

We just used a run-of-the-mill, utility trailer like you'd buy from Lowes, HomeDepot, or tractor supply. We put 10s of 1000s of miles on them too, both a 5x8 and a 4x6, heavily loaded.

 

^^I think i have the same. Mine's a carry-on brand 5x8 utility trailer. Perfect for bikes and it's light so the subaru should handle it. I picked mine up used but it looks like Lowes and tractor supply have them.

 

Your Subaru will pull that fine. You won't feel any struggle really until about 250lbs. If you feel worries at all while underway, do 65 instead of 70 or 75. It will only take you a handful of minutes longer, and be much easier on the vehicle. You will be just fine with what you have.

 

I was at fleet farm yesterday and they had a 5x8 i think that was the size anyway.. was under 600 bucks and had the giant fold down ramp. Its not going to get cheaper or lighter than that with ease of loading... harbor freight trailers are fine there cheap too. i load mine with a 2x12 board which is plenty you just push the bike up and if therea 2 of you its even easier.

 

You get what you pay for. With a Kendon, you're looking at top quality materials. Excellent design. Etc. For a short term solution, I'd look for a steel wood topped trailer. Put two chocks on it. Then you'll have room for tires, bins, stands etc. on the trailer as well. If you search, you may find a nice used one. Sell it for what you pay for it in a year.

 

Ohhhh for sure that 5x10 with 2 bikes and gear the Subaru will not like.

I was in the 5x8 open group. 1 bike and gear with a Neon.
As others have noted the Kendon is not cheap for a reason. Don't know about knock-off versions.

Good luck and start saving for an enclosed trailer.....

 

From what I've seen, the Tractor Supply 5x8 is the best value out there. They weigh about 400lbs, have 13" tires when most other big-box store trailers use 12", and if you're not in a hurry they go on sale for $550-600 about every month or so. People want the same money for used trailers on Craigslist.


http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...y-trailer-5-ft-x-8-ft-2-000-gvwr?cm_vc=-10005

 

I meant 2500 lbs.
Those Suburu boxer engines are quite full of torque. The blow a Neon out of the water any day.
People have grown to have a very warped idea on how much power is required to tow things these days. Of you want to pull a 10k trailer 85mph all day, then yes you need 450 ft lbs torque. Intelligent people don't pull such heavy items that fast. I once pulled a trailer weighing 12.5k with a 2000 Explorer with a 4.0l v6. It took a minute to get going, but I could do the speed limit fine (could not have dropped quickly to save man kind)
I used to have a 90 GMC 1500. Pulled 5500lbs regularly. That truck was rated at 160hp, and 280ft lbs. You can pull 2k with that Suburu just fine.

 

You could pull 1500 lbs with a Forester easily! I had a little Mercedes C300 (RWD) and the manual says it's rated for 2700 lbs towing. You should see the shit europeans tow with hatchbacks and other cars that here in the US we'd raise an eyebrow if we saw someone pulling it with anything other than a truck. Don't expect to get more than like 17-18 mpg, but it can do it easily. With my C300 I was pulling about 900-1000 lbs, and I was getting up to 22 mph on the highway. It never even showed signs of struggle, only difference was going up hills it would have to drop 1 gear lower. If you just want a temporary small trailer, just keep what you have. Save yourself some money and hassle.

 

before I bought my enclosed we had a 5x8 carry on with the mesh floor and tail gate.
We pulled it with a 4 cylinder cavailer convertible and than a Honda crv both with two bikes and gear.
as long as you use you head if it feels like it is struggling down shift (auto or manual)
if it's a long grade follow one those slow ass semi's to the top
the caviler brought both bikes back from nc after my wife crashed on the charhola
the crv went from mi to barber to nc and back

 

I have a open trailer that I will sell you? $400, I will get pictures soon.

 

Forester towing capacity:
2003-2013 2,400lbs
2014-2016 1,500lbs

 

Took a shot in the dark, didn't see the year posted. But 1998-2002 is 2,000lbs. Like everyone else has said, drive smart and you will be just fine. Only had my Subaru for a short period of time and I loved it.

 

A good rule to have. Tow ratings are kinda weird and there's a lot of liability involved there from manufacturer's. When I had that C300 I went to the local dealer to get a hitch receiver mounted on it and they wouldn't touch it. They said MB USA does not recommend to tow with that vehicle. Then later I find that MB Germany (the actual manufacturer) has a 2700 lb rating on it, but that was only found in the European version of the owner's manual, not in the American one.

On the other hand, a lot of times ratings suggest that a vehicle will be able to tow that amount that it's rated for, but it doesn't mean it will be easy. My grand cherokee is rated for 6200 lbs, but after towing about 3000 (an enclosed 6x12 with 2 bikes and a bunch of other stuff), I don't think I want to push it anymore than that on long trips. At 70 mph it was running in 3rd gear most of the time at just under 4000 rpm. Not very good when you have to go like 8-9 hours. Aerodynamics is huge too! It's not just the weight. I'm hoping the new trailer I'm picking up Saturday will tow better because it's a low profile.

 

Remember, if it's automatic, tow with OD off.