Can The Subaru Truck Tow a Camper Trailer?
A Subaru truck that can tow your camper? Subaru produces wildly popular SUVs but currently has no trucks in its lineup. However, that oversight is about to be corrected. Soon, the Japanese automaker will be introducing a modern version of its old “Baja” line in 2021!
Pickup trucks are all the rage today, especially in the RVing community. People value their versatility whether they use them as towing vehicles or tag-a-long toads. But Subaru has been missing out on the truck market … until now.
Let’s take a look!
What is the Subaru Baja?
Originally produced from 2003 to 2006, the industry considered the Baja a cross between a small truck and an adventure passenger car. But upon its initial offering, sales didn’t meet expectations.
So the Subaru truck was quickly discontinued. When looking at truck lines today, it appears that no manufacturer is selling compact or mid-size trucks. As a result, the opportunity is ripe for a redesigned Baja.
Subaru Baja 2021 Towing Capacity
Because it hasn’t been added to the company’s lineup yet, we’re only estimating a possible Subaru truck’s towing capacity. Based on the previous Baja design, a new vehicle might only be able to tow about 1,000 pounds.
However, it seems the manufacturer may be creating the new truck using its popular (larger, more robust) Ascent SUV model. In that case, this new Baja might handle towing 2,000 to 5,000 pounds. That opens up a wide field of RV towing possibilities. We’ll have to wait and see which direction Subaru follows.
Subaru Baja 2021 Specs
Again, this is conjecture because the new Baja is not yet on the market. As mentioned above, many speculate that Subaru will be building a truck based on their Ascent SUV. If that’s indeed the case, a new Baja will most likely have a 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder boxer engine with 270 horsepower.
Even though an Ascent is mid-size, the new Baja’s truck bed still only be four feet in length. They may, in addition, have the option of adding a bed extender. But Subaru has always been innovative, and this new vehicle would be no different. Subaru could include a fold-down rear hatch for transporting longer cargo and providing a nice length for sleeping, as well.
The old Baja didn’t have very much ground clearance, but Subaru has improved those measurements in all of its production lines since 2014. So it’s not unreasonable to think a Subaru truck built today would have at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance. And all-wheel-drive transmissions are standard with all Subies.
How Much Does a Subaru Truck Cost?
We are pulling rabbits out of a hat here, but considering the cost of current Subaru models, the likelihood of a new Baja being at least $30,000 is probably generous.
The interior may be more utilitarian than luxurious, so that may keep the price down a bit. But most are surmising the base price for a Subaru truck may start around $32,000. We can’t wait to see how close all the guesses were once they reveal the truck!
Can the Subaru Truck Tow a Camper Trailer?
The short answer is “yes.” But with reservations. Standard vehicles in the Ascent lineup, for comparison, can only haul 2,000 pounds. But moving into the premium and limited editions, the vehicle’s towing capacity moves up to 5,000 lbs. So if a new Baja Subaru truck is designed along the same lines, RVers may be able to tow anything from a pop-up camper to a small travel trailer behind their new truck.
One drawback, however, might be the limitations of the small bed on Subaru trucks. If the new Baja follows its predecessor’s design, there may not be enough room to put in a fifth-wheel hitch. Therefore, even if your vehicle can handle those campers’ weights, it may not be able to pull a fifth-wheel properly.
What Kind of Campers Can the Subaru Truck Tow?
With a base model of the imagined Baja, drivers should pull most teardrop campers, pop-up campers, and smaller lightweight travel trailers. And the larger Bajas may allow towing of small Airstreams like the Sport Travel Trailer or several of the R-pods available. Even Winnebago and Coleman offer a few lightweight trailers in their lineup that would work well in that “Under 5,000 pounds” category.
Just remember, when selecting a trailer, the weights mentioned do not include anything like water in the freshwater tank or belongings in the trailer. So don’t overpack! If you’re looking for an RV to tow with a large Baja, stick to 4,000 pounds and under. This will give you room to bring along some clothing, food, and personal items and leave space for water and waste without taxing your new vehicle’s capabilities.
Is the Subaru Baja a Good Vehicle?
Ask any Subaru owner, and they’ll usually say it’s a great investment. They can’t speak highly enough about their car’s performance, dependability, and quality. It’s hard, however, to endorse a vehicle that has yet to be produced. Banking on their past successes, though, Subaru will put as much detail and craftsmanship into a new Baja truck as they have in their long-lasting Outbacks and Foresters. We think it’s a safe bet that this new design will be a hit.
Subaru Truck May Tow Well
Subaru has never been known as a truck designer. But with an opening in the market, this may be the perfect time for them to enter. While it may not tow your fifth-wheel or larger trailer, we hope it’ll tow a majority of the smaller campers well. A mid-size truck from a company that builds vehicles to stand the test of time sounds like a winning proposition!
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