# Towing without a monster

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/towing-without-a-monster/42789>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [January 18, 2010, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/towing-without-a-monster/42789 "2010-01-18T18:20:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![archerguaho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@archerguaho](https://community.cartalk.com/u/archerguaho)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/towing-without-a-monster/42789/1 "2010-01-18T18:20:46Z")

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IS there a preferred compact suv for towing 2000 - 2300 pounds?  
  
  
  
 I own a toyota tacoma and a toyotat sienna. Would love to own just ONE vehicle which is fairly efficient on gas.

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**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/towing-without-a-monster/42789/2 "2010-01-18T19:08:18Z")

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I doubt you’ll find any COMPACT that will tow more than 1500lbs ((gross weight-trailer and load).

They claim my '04 Toyota Matrix can tow 1500lbs. You’ll never see a hitch on this car.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/towing-without-a-monster/42789/3 "2010-01-18T19:10:39Z")

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The Toyota Highlander is rated as a Class II (up to 3500 lbs).

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**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/towing-without-a-monster/42789/4 "2010-01-18T19:14:06Z")

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The new 2010 Outback(22mpg/29mpg) is fairly efficient with fuel and manages 2700+ lbs with trailer brakes.

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**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/towing-without-a-monster/42789/5 "2010-01-18T19:28:45Z")

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Andrew,  
Where did you find this info?

I checked this site for the 2010 Outback and also Subaru’s site and there is no mention of towing capacities of any size.

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/towing-without-a-monster/42789/6 "2010-01-18T19:34:37Z")

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Your Sienna should have 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. You should be able to safely tow 2,000-2,300 pounds with it. The Sienna is about the most fuel efficient tow vehicle you will find in that range.

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**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/towing-without-a-monster/42789/7 "2010-01-18T19:52:49Z")

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Found it here \>\>\> [http://www.subaru.com/content/downloads/pdf/brochures/2010\_outback\_specs.pdf](http://www.subaru.com/content/downloads/pdf/brochures/2010_outback_specs.pdf)

I think Subaru’s do well towing due to full time AWD where most other vehicles are FWD biased system AWD. I know a few owners of Subaru(Forester, Impreza, Outback) who bought specifically for a smaller vehicle with towing capacity and AWD as huge bonus on boat ramps.