Planning adventures with a travel trailer opens up a world of possibilities, but ensuring safety on the road starts with understanding your vehicle’s towing capacity and selecting the right trailer. Many outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to the Subaru Ascent for its versatility and capability. Let’s delve into how to choose one of the Best Travel Trailers that aligns with the Ascent’s limits for secure and enjoyable journeys.
When considering travel trailers, it’s crucial to focus on key weight metrics. The Subaru Ascent, as a popular example, has specific towing parameters. The heaviest Ascent trim weighs 4,602 pounds, with all trims sharing a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 6,000 pounds and a maximum tongue weight of 500 pounds. Subaru themselves demonstrated the Ascent’s capability by showcasing it towing a 4,300-pound Airstream, complete with passengers. In this scenario, the tongue weight was approximately 405-410 pounds, leaving around 1,000 pounds for additional cargo within the vehicle.
To maintain optimal towing performance and safety, it’s generally recommended to choose a travel trailer that weighs between 4,000 and 4,300 pounds or less (roughly 80-85% of the Ascent’s maximum towing capacity) for Premium trim levels and above. Real-world reviews from those who have tested similar towing configurations with the Ascent are generally positive, highlighting its competence when paired with appropriately sized trailers.
Remember that these figures are starting points, and careful calculation is essential for your specific situation. Factors such as your Ascent’s trim level, the amount of cargo you carry in the vehicle, and the number of passengers all impact the available towing capacity. For instance, the Premium trim of the Ascent, being 125 pounds lighter than the Touring model, allows for slightly more cargo weight within the vehicle while maintaining the same 5,000-pound towing capacity.
Let’s illustrate this with a couple of examples:
Towing Math Example: Ascent Touring Trim
- 6,000 lbs GVWR (Ascent Touring)
- 4,602 lbs Empty Weight (Ascent Touring)
-
500 lbs Tongue Weight (Maximum)
898 lbs Available for Car Cargo & Passengers
Towing Math Example: Ascent Premium Trim
- 6,000 lbs GVWR (Ascent Premium)
- 4,477 lbs Empty Weight (Ascent Premium)
-
500 lbs Tongue Weight (Maximum)
1,023 lbs Available for Car Cargo & Passengers
These calculations demonstrate that if you anticipate needing to carry more cargo or passengers in your Ascent, opting for a lighter travel trailer (one with a lower GVWR and tongue weight) becomes even more critical.
It’s vital to always consider the loaded trailer weight (GVWR), not just the unloaded or curb weight, when making your calculations and choosing a trailer.
Furthermore, for regular or long-distance towing, it’s wise to operate below the absolute maximum towing rating. A widely recommended guideline is to stay at or under 80% or 85% of the maximum towing capacity. Aiming for a trailer around 4,000 pounds GVWR for the Subaru Ascent, for example, provides a comfortable safety margin, ensuring more relaxed and controlled towing, particularly for frequent trips or longer journeys. This practice significantly contributes to safer and more enjoyable travel trailer adventures, making the selection process for the best travel trailers a responsible and informed one.
