Can I Really Tow 5,000 lbs With My 2019 Subaru Ascent

Question:

With the hitch for a Subaru Ascent is towing capacity 5,000 pounds? Or is the another thing needed to get capacity to 5,000 pounds?

asked by: Mike H

Expert Reply:

The Draw-Tite hitch part # 76253 for 2019 Subaru Ascent is rated for towing up to 5,000 but only if the Subaru is equipped with an air-cooled continuously variable transmission fluid cooler from the factory and the trailer has brakes.

The owner's manual states vehicles without the variable transmission fluid cooler can tow up to 2,000 lbs. It is a good idea to check to make sure your Subaru Ascent is equipped with the cooler from the factory before towing 5,000 lbs. You can find out if it's equipped with the cooler by calling a Subaru dealership with your vehicle's model number found on the vehicle identification plate located underneath the hood on the driver's side. If the trailer being towed with the hitch does not have brakes, the towing capacity of the Ascent is 1,000 lbs even if the Ascent is equipped with the cooler.

For trailer wiring, I recommend Tekonsha T-One Wiring Harness part # 118790 to power the lights on the trailer because it can handle more amps per circuit then the other wiring options for the Ascent which matters if your trailer has a lot of light that draw more power. The Tekonsha wiring harness plugs into the Ascent's wiring harness in the trunk behind the rear interior trim panel on the driver's side. I have attached an installation video that shows this process.

If you plan on towing a trailer that weighs more than 1,000 lbs then it probably has trailer brakes. If the trailer has brakes you need a brake controller to activate the trailer brakes when the Subaru brakes. I recommend the Curt Echo Brake Controller part # C51180. To install the Curt Echo you need a 7-way plug part # ETBC7L and the 4-Way connector I recommended earlier part # 118790.

The black wire from the 7-way plug in the ETBC7L kit needs to be extended to the positive side of the Subaru's battery with a circuit breaker that is included in the kit. The white wire needs to be grounded to a clean bare metal surface of the vehicle's frame. The other wires can be tucked away. The Curt Echo plugs into the 7-Way plug and the trailer's connector plugs into the Echo. The Echo is powered with the black wire attached to the vehicle's battery. It's internal sensor senses when the Subaru is stopping and signals the trailer's brakes to stop in conjunction with the vehicle. The settings brake controller settings are controlled by an application on your smart phone so there is not a need for a brake controller box inside of the Subaru.

If you need a ball mount, I have attached an article to help you figure out the rise or drop you may need with a ball mount to tow the trailer level. You want to be within 2 inches of level with the trailer when towing. I have also attached the selection of ball mounts that fit 2 inch hitch receivers.