2022 Subaru Ascent Touring Towing: What You Need To Know
Hey there, fellow adventurers and family road-trippers! If you're eyeing the 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring – a fantastic SUV known for its versatility and comfort – you're probably wondering about its towing capabilities. After all, being able to haul a camper, boat, or trailer opens up a whole world of possibilities for weekend getaways and epic vacations. So, let's dive deep into the 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring towing capacity, covering everything you need to know to confidently hitch up and hit the road. We'll explore the specifics, factors affecting towing, and some important safety tips to ensure a smooth and secure journey. Get ready to become a towing pro!
Understanding the 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring Towing Powerhouse
First things first: what can this SUV actually tow? The 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring boasts a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That's a significant figure, placing it among the leaders in its class. This impressive capacity means you can tow a variety of items, including small campers, boats, utility trailers, and even some lightweight horse trailers. However, it's crucial to understand that this maximum capacity is achieved under specific conditions, and it's essential to consider factors that can influence your actual towing experience. In simpler words, the 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring towing capacity is a game changer for adventure and outdoor fun. This SUV is ready to pull everything you need.
But let's not stop there! The Ascent Touring isn't just about brawn; it's also packed with features designed to make towing safer and more manageable. The standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system provides excellent stability and traction, especially in challenging road conditions. This is a huge advantage when towing, as it helps to distribute power evenly and reduce the risk of losing control. Moreover, the Ascent Touring comes equipped with a trailer stability assist system, which can detect trailer sway and apply brakes to individual wheels to help bring the trailer back in line. These features combined help the 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring be a vehicle made for adventure!
Additionally, the Ascent Touring offers a range of driver-assist technologies, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring, which can enhance your overall driving experience, especially when towing. The Ascent Touring has an engine that is the heart of its towing prowess is a turbocharged 2.4-liter BOXER engine, generating 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine delivers ample power for both daily driving and towing tasks. This ensures you have plenty of oomph for acceleration and maintaining a comfortable speed, even when hauling a heavy load. Remember that while the 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity is impressive, it's essential to stay within the limits and consider the weight of your trailer and its contents, this helps to be safe.
Factors Influencing the 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring Towing Capacity
Alright, so you know the maximum towing capacity. But what can affect it? Several factors play a role, and understanding them is key to safe and effective towing. Let's break them down, so you can be fully informed when you go to tow with your 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring:
Weight Matters: The Trailer and Its Contents
First and foremost, the weight of your trailer and its cargo is the most critical factor. Exceeding the 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring towing capacity of 5,000 pounds can put excessive stress on the vehicle's engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension. This can lead to decreased performance, increased fuel consumption, and, most importantly, safety hazards. Therefore, before you hook up your trailer, carefully determine its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the maximum weight the trailer can handle, including its cargo. Next, consider the actual weight of the loaded trailer and ensure it's within the Ascent Touring's towing limit. You might need to make some tough decisions about what to bring. Leave behind some of the heavy stuff, or you might have to choose a smaller trailer. Remember, safety always comes first, guys!
Proper Equipment: Hitches and More
Equipping your Ascent Touring with the correct towing equipment is crucial for both safety and performance. Subaru typically recommends a Class III trailer hitch for the Ascent Touring, which is rated for the maximum towing capacity. The hitch needs to be professionally installed to ensure it's securely attached to the vehicle's frame. In addition to the hitch, you'll need a ball mount with the appropriate size ball for your trailer's coupler. This ensures a secure connection between your vehicle and the trailer. Also, consider investing in a trailer brake controller. If your trailer has electric brakes (and most trailers exceeding a certain weight do), a brake controller is essential. It allows you to synchronize the trailer's brakes with your vehicle's brakes, providing smooth and controlled stopping power. So, get the proper towing equipment to be prepared for the adventure!
Road Conditions: Up Hills and More
Road conditions can also impact your towing experience. Driving uphill places a greater strain on your vehicle's engine and transmission, reducing its overall performance. Therefore, when towing uphill, it's essential to shift into a lower gear to maintain a comfortable speed and prevent overheating. Furthermore, be mindful of the grade of the incline and the weight of your trailer. When descending hills, use engine braking and avoid excessive use of the brakes. This will help prevent brake fade and ensure your safety. Also, keep an eye on the weather. Towing in adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, or high winds, can reduce traction and visibility, making it more challenging to control your vehicle and trailer. Take extra precautions and consider postponing your trip if the weather conditions are unfavorable.
Altitude: How it Affects Your Tow
Altitude can also affect your Ascent Touring's towing performance. At higher altitudes, the air is thinner, which means your engine may produce less power. This can result in reduced acceleration and a slight decrease in towing capacity. To compensate for this, you may need to drive in a lower gear, allowing the engine to work harder. Additionally, it's essential to monitor your engine temperature and avoid overheating, especially when towing at high altitudes. Consider taking breaks to allow the engine to cool down, especially on long trips. With proper planning, you can make it work.
Maximizing Safety: Essential Towing Tips for Your 2022 Ascent Touring
Alright, you've got the Ascent Touring, you know the capacity, and you've considered the factors. Now, let's talk about safety. Here are some essential tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable towing experience with your 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring. Keep these in mind!
Weight Distribution and Trailer Balance
Proper weight distribution is crucial for safe towing. Before hitting the road, ensure your trailer is loaded evenly, with approximately 60% of the weight towards the front of the trailer. This helps to prevent trailer sway and maintain stability while driving. Also, check the tongue weight, which is the downward force exerted by the trailer on the hitch ball. The ideal tongue weight is typically between 10% and 15% of the total trailer weight. Use a tongue weight scale to measure this and adjust the load accordingly. If the tongue weight is too low, the trailer may sway. If it's too high, it can overload the rear suspension of your Ascent Touring.
Regular Inspections: Before, During, and After
Regular inspections are key to ensuring a safe towing experience. Before each trip, inspect your trailer's tires for proper inflation, wear, and tear. Check the lights, including the brake lights, turn signals, and running lights, to make sure they are functioning correctly. Examine the hitch and safety chains for any signs of damage or wear. Also, inspect the trailer's brakes and ensure they are working properly. During your trip, stop periodically to check the trailer tires, lights, and hitch. This will help you catch any potential issues early on. After your trip, inspect your vehicle's brakes, suspension, and other components for any signs of wear or damage. This helps with the lifespan of your vehicle.
Driving Techniques: Smooth and Steady Wins
Your driving technique plays a significant role in safe towing. Drive at a slower speed than you normally would, especially when towing. This gives you more time to react to any unexpected situations. Increase your following distance to provide ample space for braking. Avoid sudden acceleration, braking, and turning. Instead, make smooth and gradual maneuvers to maintain control of your vehicle and trailer. Also, be aware of your vehicle's increased stopping distance. It will take longer to stop when towing, so plan accordingly. If you encounter crosswinds, be prepared for potential trailer sway. Steer gently into the wind to counteract the effect. Lastly, practice backing up with your trailer in a safe, open area. This will help you become familiar with how the trailer responds to your steering inputs.
Maintenance: Keeping Your Ascent Touring in Top Shape
Regular maintenance is essential for your Ascent Touring, especially when you plan to tow frequently. Follow the vehicle's maintenance schedule, paying particular attention to items such as oil changes, brake inspections, and transmission fluid checks. Consider upgrading to heavy-duty brakes if you plan on towing regularly or hauling heavy loads. They offer improved stopping power and durability. Make sure to keep your tires properly inflated, as this will help with fuel efficiency and vehicle handling. Also, ensure your cooling system is in good condition, as towing puts extra strain on the engine. Get your Ascent Touring checked up before and after you plan on towing.
Beyond the Basics: Additional Considerations for Towing
Let's go over some additional considerations to make your towing experience even better. These points can add an extra layer of safety and peace of mind when you're on the road.
Trailer Brakes: An Absolute Must
If your trailer weighs more than a certain amount (often 1,500 pounds, but check your local regulations), it must have its own brakes. This is critical. The 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring has its own brakes, but it's not designed to handle the entire stopping load of a heavy trailer. Trailer brakes provide the necessary stopping power and prevent the trailer from pushing the vehicle, which can lead to loss of control. So, if your trailer requires them, make sure it has them and that they're properly installed and functioning. A properly installed brake controller is also essential to activate the trailer brakes.
Sway Control: Staying in Line
As mentioned earlier, the Ascent Touring has trailer stability assist, which is a great feature. However, consider investing in an additional sway control system for your trailer if you'll be towing frequently or in windy conditions. These systems help to counteract trailer sway by applying the trailer brakes or using a friction-based system to dampen the movement. This provides an extra layer of protection and can make your towing experience much more relaxed.
Practice Makes Perfect
Before you embark on a long trip, take some time to practice towing in a safe and open area. Get comfortable with how your Ascent Touring handles the trailer, practice backing up, and get a feel for its turning radius. This will help you build confidence and prepare you for any situation you might encounter on the road. Practice makes perfect, and with a little preparation, you can be a towing pro in no time.
Conclusion: Tow with Confidence
So, there you have it, folks! The 2022 Subaru Ascent Touring towing capacity is a significant selling point, making it a versatile choice for families and adventurers alike. By understanding the towing capacity, the factors that affect it, and, most importantly, following safe towing practices, you can confidently hitch up your trailer and enjoy the freedom of the open road. Always prioritize safety, and remember to consult your owner's manual for specific instructions and recommendations. Safe travels, and happy towing! Let's get out there and explore!
