As a mid-size crossover that seats up to eight people, the Subaru Ascent is naturally designed for greater payload and towing capacity. With the latter, it’s vital to be mindful of best safety practices and towing etiquette when securing a load and driving with a towed object. Here are towing safety tips to be mindful of, courtesy of Casey Subaru.

Trailer Hitch Use

Know your trailer hitch’s weight class. For example, a class one trailer hitch is rated for a 2,000-pound capacity and a 200-pound tongue weight. Never tow an item with a weight that exceeds the hitch’s limitations. This risks damage to the hitch, frame, suspension, and powertrain and also presents a safety liability.

Load Evenly

Whatever you’re towing, be sure the weight is evenly distributed. This applies whether towing a flatbed, enclosed trailer, or camping trailer. Some trailers may come with loading and weight distribution instructions outlined in the user manual.

Driving Safety

When on the road with a towed item, maintain a longer following distance as a greater stopping distance is required. This is especially true of trailers with installed brakes. The rule of thumb is a following distance of at least five seconds.

Practice Reversing

Reversing with a towed RV or trailer is an acquired skill. Practice often in your driveway or a vacant parking lot. Improper reversing can lead to the trailer or RV jackknifing.

Go Slower

Drive slower and stick to the right lane when on the interstate. Also, remember that the Subaru Ascent will require more time to accelerate to the desired speed, and short stops can lead to jackknifing and vehicle damage.

See the Subaru Ascent at Our Newport News, VA Dealership

We recommend test-driving the Subaru Ascent at Casey Subaru. This will show you whether it’s suitable for your future plans for family travels with heavy gear in tow. Our dealers can provide more info regarding the model’s tow capabilities.