I've noticed a lot of people have posted to the board about being warry to tow with the WRX. In my own personal experience, towing was no problem at all. I just moved from WV to CA, and towed a U-Haul trailer full of my stuff the whole way (~1700 lbs) using a draw-tite hitch.

When I started out, I was definitely a little hesitant, and not entirely sure about how the car would behave. In the end, if my best possible expectations were a 10, the WRX performed at an 11 level. The 1-2 times I really had to get on the brakes it stopped ok, but this (not supprisingly) was the weak-point.

The tach stayed around the 3k area almost the whole journey, and it pulled great up about 80, which was our self-imposed speed limit (Never pull a u-haul over 45 mph :lol: ). The WRX would've gladly pulled the trailer faster, but the trailer started a little shimmy-shimmy-ya-ya at greater rates of speed. My best fuel mileage was ~20 mpg in IL and NB. Up in the mountains in Utah and Wyoming with 91 octane, altitude, and hills it dipped closer to the 14-16 mpg range.

Considering the WRX's performance cross-counrty, I would have to say the local/regional towing should not be a worry or concern for people who want to tow small trailers or bikes.

Do you have the wagon or the sedan? The dealership told me the hitch was not sold for the sedan. Where did you get the hitch? How much did it cost? I need a trailer hitch to tow my bike.

You just made my day.

Subaru doesn't specifically sell a hitch for the WRX, but I think the TS hitch works. If you do a search, there have been quite a few hitch discussions.

I have a wagon, and bought my hitch from www.hitchcorner.com for ~$125, delivered. According to the draw-tite website, the hitch I bought will fit the sedan, too.

I've seen two wrx sedans with hitches on them.

What size u-haul did you tow?

I purchased my hitch from the local U-Haul rental place and also had them install it. They said it was a draw-tite although it doesn't say draw-tite on it anywhere. The hitch is hidden very well and it does an excellent job pulling my motorcycle.

I believe U-Haul trailers start at about 600 lbs.. For the bike, I prefer to pull Kendon trailers because of their light weight and each tire has its own independent suspension.

http://members.i-club.com/UserPics/6315/WRXAndBike.jpg

EasyRiders of Dallas rents Kendon trailers for pretty cheap and so I've decided not to buy one just so I don't have to find a place in the garage to stow it away. You can find Kendo trailers at the following link:

JP Cycles - Kendon Trailers (http://www.jpcycles.com/shop/group.asp?GPID=7451)

Including the bike, trailer, my wife, and all our luggage, I estimated we tow about 1500 lbs. The engine has no problems with that weight, and as has been said, the breaks are the weak link. I just drive the speed limit or slower and leave about twice the stopping distance I usually would for extra safety. So far, I've not had any problems at all. Awesome car!

I used the 4x8 trailer. The next biggest size sticks up over the WRX's roofline, and I figured that I didn't need the extra wind resistance. I'll post some pics once I scan them.

Thanks Flesher!

would a wrx sedan have any problems with towing a 4 wheeler?
a honda fourtrax?

I've never towed a 4-wheeler myself, but I don't see that there would be a problem with it.

I assume you know that if you tow over 1,000 lb (trailer+load) then you need to have trailer brakes.

Glenn

Good to know when I get my WRX wagon... :D

Now, does anyone know if the GC8 Draw Tite class one receiver will fit the GD??? I've got one on my current RS right now and would love to just keep it.

-myk

Which transmission do each of you have? MT or AT?

Mine is MT. For an AT, I have no idea how the transmission handles towing.

Mine is also a MT. I also have the optional guage cluster and saw no rise in my oil temperature over normal driving.

The receiver bar is not the 2" kind. It is smaller, something like 1 1/4 ", if that helps. Makes it hard to find an end cap that will fit without ordering one from draw-tite.