Is it possible to tow a light trailer with a motorcycle on it with my rs coupe? I want to haul the bike to PA from CA. The trailer is 4x8 and weighs less than the motorcycle.

the RS can tow ~1000lbs I think. It should be ok.

check your manual for towing capacity to be certain...

j. www.subiegal.com (http://www.subiegal.com)

Absolutely, check your manual. '01 and earlier Imprezas can't tow as much as other Subarus. Also, be aware that Subaru has restrictions on trailers without brakes. My guess is, if your trailer doesn't have brakes, you're restricted to 750 lbs. or less. The manual will tell you for sure.

Bob

I towed a dirtbike with the RS, 2dr 5-speed, no problem. I use my WRX now to haul a dirtbike.
Later

Waiting to hear from McDade about the whole phantom entry stating not to push start your Subaru, I read the entire owner's manual (excluding the climate control/radio sections) last night.
RS can two up to 700 lbs without trailer brakes. Add brakes and the max loaded trailer weight goes up to 1500lbs with no more than 25 square feet of frontal area. A simple open-air bike trailer with a single bike would be fine.
hint: Owner's manual understates things to avoid potential lawsuits by people exceding the limits.
('70 Boss 302 had a 6k something rev limiter to keep the accessories from blowing up, not the motor itself.)

thanks everyone for all your help. I read the manual and suspected that it was on the low side. The bike weighs just a little over 4000 lbs. and the trailer is around 325 so everything should be just fine! thanks again

Wow! Your bike weighs 4000lb!?!?!? http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

I tow a Honda XR600 dirt bike on a steal 4x8 trailer with my Outback Sedan and I don't have any problems. I got a bolt on Hitch from Drawtite and had a local installer wire the lights. I would think your RS could pull it just as good as my car because we have the same HP and torque. You might feel it back their a little more because of the lighter weight of your car.

Good Luck!

Mike http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Is the towing capacity not 2000lbs? I swear I read that before. I tow my sled around all winter up north, through the mountains, etc. with not one realted problem yet. As a matter of fact the RS easily out-towed a Suburban (with 3 sleds vs. my one) up the mountains on two different occasions. The sled is about 475lbs, plus the 4x8 steel trailer. YMMV (as for me, I have 8k miles plus with the sled on back)

Christian

oops that is supposed to read 400. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif oh well!

I tow a Honda XR600 dirt bike on a steal 4x8 trailer

You really should return it before the owner reports it stolen.

2001 Impreza&Outback Sport owner's manual. Page 7-50, 1/2 way down under the big caution box.

"Total trailer weight (trailer weight plus it's cargo weight) must never exceed 1,500 lbs (681 kg)."

Why don't you guys believe me when I say I read the entire manual? http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Also.. max tongue weight is 150 lbs. They recommend a 60/40 front/rear weight distribution on the trailer.

Total vehicle weight including trailer, cargo, driver, passengers, and optional equipment should never exceed the GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating).

I moved from NJ to California with about 1000lbs of trailer and junk attached. Being honest and objective, my '00RS had no problem pulling the trailer up hills or from a standing stop. Even going around tight turns, the RS didn't seem to mind having 1000lbs of baggage dragging behind it. And for comparison, my last car (96 Z24) felt slower with 5 people in it, than the RS towing that trailer! (Z24 went a best of 14.9 1/4)

The best part of the trip was visiting the grand canyon.

Greg, WOW! NJ to SLO-town! Congratulations and welcome to San Luis Obispo from a "native"! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Glenn O</FONT f>