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The 2018 Subaru Outback can tow up to 2,700 pounds and handle a tongue weight of 200 pounds. It also has a payload capacity of 948 to 1,073 pounds, depending on the options chosen. The torque of the 2018 Outback ranges from 174 to 247 pound-feet, depending on the engine selected. While the towing capacity of the 2018 Outback is suitable for quads and small fishing boats, it may not be sufficient for a travel trailer or camper. For heavier towing needs, it's advisable to consider a larger vehicle like a truck or full-size SUV, as they offer significantly higher towing capacities.
In addition, Subaru restricts the recommended towing weight to 1000 pounds unless you have trailer brakes. Despite this, they boldly promote a towing capacity of 2700 pounds.
My 2018 Outback equipped with a Subaru hitch has a towing capacity of 2700 lbs as specified in the owner's manual, requiring a trailer with electric brakes. Contrary to John A's claim, the tongue weight limit is 200 lbs, not 270. I purchased an Aliner camper specifically for my Outback after conducting thorough research. A service technician at a camper dealership who previously worked for Reese advised me against exceeding these limits, emphasizing the potential danger and risk of damaging the vehicle's suspension. Although I wanted a larger camper, I adhered to the specified limits and carefully monitored the tongue weight using scales while loading the camper in various configurations.
The highest recommended tongue weight for the 2018 Outback is 200 pounds (90 kilograms), not 270 as previously stated.
The 2018 Subaru Outback can generate from 174 to 247 pound-feet of torque, which enables it to tow up to 2,700 pounds. The owner's manual for the 2018 Outback specifies a maximum tongue weight of 270 pounds.