Looking to do some towing with my legacy.

[The_momo]

Well, my wife and I decided on a whim that we wanted to get a small camper and do some camping eventually. We don't get have the camper but it'll likely be soon. It's a pop up, total weight of 1557 lbs (iirc). I'd be towing this with my 96 Brighton wagon with 268xxx miles.

My question is two; who has done any towing of similar weight and what was the shortcomings, and what needed to be upgraded? I know of the pretty standard stuff (oil and trans cooler, minimum better brake pads and maybe lines, etc) but just curious how it did and what was obviously needed.

I plan on getting a hitch (obviously) doing a trans cooler (auto) and maybe an oil cooler, new brake components (rotors and pads front, drums and shoes rear) because the brakes need replaced anyhow. I was also thinking of a "better" radiator I.e. more capacity. Is there anything oem swap that can get me this or am I looking aftermarket for a "better" radiator?

I'm also considering doing a front brake upgrade to 09 legacy 2.5i front rotors and calipers (my wife's car is a 09 2.5i and she wants the gt brakes for improved braking, might as well use what ya got for a free upgrade for me!)

I do haul a lot of heavy crap in the car but never towed anything with it.

[Dead91silvia]

If you're gonna go up mountain passes, you will be going REALLY slow with a 2.2...

You can tow snowmobiles, little trailers, and even tow dolly's with them, but you need to remember, a lot of small trucks have a hard time with 1500 LBS.

It can be done, but the big thing is, where are you planing to go with it? Big hills will kill your car and trans. If it had a 2.5 it would be a little different. Even an H6 would be better. Those things can tow well with the power.

[The_momo]

That's what I figured. To be honest, a later gt (turbo) or h6 legacy is likely in the cards in a few years, but I would need this to work for now. I live in Michigan and the worst I'd have for hills would be slow rolling types. It wouldn't likely go very far until I get something newer and stronger.

Ultimately I'm considering some modifications that can either be swapped to newer or justified for this...I'm looking at doing air springs for the rear to "help level loads". I'll get my way one way or another lol.

I'm also not against the idea of doing a motor swap, or build. I've actually primed the wife for just that. It's financially smarter to spend money to keep the car I have (that's actually in really good shape considering) than to take on a payment. As of currently I have another ej22 I'm rebuilding just to have a fresh engine in there, which I'm sure will help. Hmmm. Perhaps the turbo can be justified now..

[anothernord]

I'd get an extra set of flashers to stick on your car, since you'll really be putting up hills with that poor 2.2L.

That said, you should be more concerned with stopping and maneuvering at speed. Make sure you tires are up to the task and aired up right, and make sure you set up the weight distribution right so 10-15% of the trailer's weight is on the tongue. That should be fine for your 1500lb trailer and a normal class II hitch.

Also, GET RID of those drum brakes. Disc swaps are cheap and easy to find. Heck, upgrade to LGT (05+) rear brakes, and WRX fronts.

[The_momo]

I do have to ask just because I'm curious, why exactly are the drums not up to task? I understand that the front discs could use some help, but I would think that given many passenger cars use rear drums (even new) why are these so bad? I would think Subaru would make some concession as to the fact that towing shouldn't be done with drum equipped vehicles. I do plan on replacing the drums with new, and upgrading the front brakes. I don't really see why I would need to change the drums to discs, tho. Lots of vehicles that are used to tow use drum brakes.

To be honest, if that is the case I'm better off finding a new vehicle to tow with. I'd rather not though.

[Dead91silvia]

Drums tend to over heat. My 3/4 ton GMC rear drums can get over heated coming down the pass. Disk brakes can also, but not near as bad. If drums where so good, they would have left them on the fronts of trucks in the 60's. Volvo from 1968 till now have had 4 wheel disk brakes. All newer high end truck have rear disk if that says anything. The big thing is cost, drums are cheaper for some reason and for trucks, that makes sense.

The change to disk is easy. Get complete hubs from and Outback or a GT. Even some L's and LSi's had them. Literally you bolts the hubs back on. If they were not an upgrade, the high end models would not have them. My moms 03 Civic LX has rear drums, but the EX has disk. It's an upgrade.

Also if you upgrade the fronts and not the rears, that would make little sense.

[The_momo]

The only reason my fronts would get an upgrade is because I would have the parts. My wife's car is likely getting turbo legacy front calipers and rotors, so I'd have her stock ones for my car. I'm not terribly worried about the actual work of swapping to rear disc, it's the cost. Lets face it, if I'm going to the effort I can likely unload my car, and get something better suited for less extra cost than the disc swap would be.

I think if I do end up towing anything I'll try it with the rear drums. The cost, to be honest, just isn't justified to me. But maybe something will come along to be a great deal and I'll do the swap.

But I do appreciate the input. What I'm seeing is that in all reality I shouldn't look at my car as a good long term towing vehicle. I just don't think I can justify all the extra when I can upgrade to a better car.

[The_momo]

Oh and fwiw, this car will never ever tow up a mountain pass. Ever. Highway driving almost exclusively.