Is Adding Brakes Required To Tow With a 2021 Subaru Outback Wagon

Question

Question:

Hello, Im very new to towing and have a 2021 Subaru Outback with the 2.5 engine and a towing capacity of 2,700 pounds. I have a West Wight Potter 19 sailboat with the following specs: Weight w/keel: 1,225 lbs Trailer weight: 500 lbs Trailer tongue weight: 150 lbs. My Outback came with a factory installed hitch 4-wire trailer plug and I have a Reese 21794 Ball Mount and Reese Towpower 7008300 2inch ball. I estimate that the boat, trailer, and gear will likely be between 2,000 and 2,200 pounds. The vehicle will be carrying two adults and two children ages 10 and 13. The Outback manual indicates that I need surge brakes for anything over 1,000 pounds being towed. My first question is: Can I likely get away with no surge brakesinch for a couple of trips 1 1/2 drive to lake over rolling hills or should I not even consider that. My second question is: What surge brake system would you spec for me? Do you have plans for installation or should this be left to a professional? Many thanks for any help you can provide!

asked by: Mark A

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Expert Reply:

The maximum towing capacity of a 2021 Subaru Outback Wagon is 1,000 lbs for trailers without brakes and 2,700 lbs (2.5L) or 3,500 lbs (2.4L) for trailers with brakes (any kind). If the trailer has surge brakes then you typically don't need anything extra for the vehicle but if the trailer has electric brakes you'll need an adapter (4 to 7-Way with 4-Way Adapter part # ETBC7) and a brake controller (Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller part # 90195). I can't recommend going against the vehicle manufacturer.

If the trailer does not have brakes already and you need to equip them, I'll need the axle capacity on the trailer and wheel bolt pattern. If you can provide this along with brake preference I would be glad to inform of some options.

expert reply by: Conner L

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Answer 1

When installing a brake controller such as the Prodigy P3 #90195 in a 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon 3.6, you will like need to drill a hole to get the wires through the fire wall; just be sure to use a grommet as well. As for mounting the breakers, the…

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Answer 2

In order to tow a trailer with brakes using your 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness edition, I recommend the following parts. -Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver 2" #C67JR (receiver with most ground clearance) -etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches…

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Answer 3

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 4

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 5

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 6

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 7

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 8

You do have the option to utilize the air brakes on your 2023 Freightliner Cascadia to control electric trailer brakes using the Hayes Air Actuated Trailer Brake Controller, part #HA100400C. However, we mostly recommend just using an electric brake…

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Answer 9

If you have a vehicle specific wiring harness for a brake controller then that would indicate that you have a factory tow package and subsequently would already have a 7-way at the back of your vehicle. The universal 7-way connector #ETBC7 is meant…

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Answer 10

The P3 brake controller, #90195, will go into a sort of sleep mode after it detects no movement for 15 minutes. While it is on it does not draw very much power. What you can do to make sure it goes to sleep is exit the truck after turning it off,…

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Answer 11

The first thing you will need for your 1999 D250 is a 4-way. The Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness #C55317 plugs into the connection points behind your rear bumper and will allow you to power your trailer's signal lights. Once the 4-way is…

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Answer 12

The trailer brakes work on a separate circuit than the lights. You have a couple of options to control the electric brakes on the trailer. One option is to use an air over electric brake control, #HA100400C. This unit connects to the air brakes on…

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