As others have said, get rid of the manual transmission, and you open up the doors to a ton of vehicle.sThese are the vehicle specs I need:
-It has to be manual transmission (don't like automatic, never owned one)
For his budget, he is looking at one with well over 200K km, maybe close to 300K. The problem with the desirable tow vehicles is 15K gets you one that is almost used up.Go with a Toyota FJ cruiser... more then enough towing power, 4x4 with diff lock if you ever get stuck in muddy stuff, room in the back for a bunch of gear and reliable. Finding a manual may be tricky.
I've towed a 5x8 uhaul flat nose trailer with my Coblat, packed to the max with a couch set and other furniture, Mississauga to Kingston a few times. Could do highway speeds ok. A Subaru has a bigger engine, should be able to tow better, it will be a V nose trailer, speed will be limited to max 110 km/h when on the highway, shouldn't be a problem. The odd time I will get on the highway with 2 bikes, will be to go to mosport or bogie, which will be like 2-3 times a year max.You haven't accounted for the wind a enclosed trailer is far harder to pull than a open trailer. The only thing I can think that would pull and stop your rig and is standard is a older 4 cylinder canyon or tacoma.
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Just because the car CAN tow that much doesnt mean it will do it nicely.
And automatics just pull so much nicer than manual trans ....
Holy crap your right, people are asking for insane pricing even for 2007 300k+ base models.. wtf. Though to be fair I wouldnt say no to one with 200k on it as long as its been serviced regularlyFor his budget, he is looking at one with well over 200K km, maybe close to 300K. The problem with the desirable tow vehicles is 15K gets you one that is almost used up.
The Outback is looking like the better option, body is between a sedan and SUV. It has more space in the back to load up with parts and tools to maintain a trailer weight well under 2500 lbs. At worst, to keep the weight down, 2 bikes, fuel and generator go in the trailer that'll be roughly 2200 lbs max. The rest of the stuff can go in the car, which is what I've been doing for the last 12 years anyway, and I'll have more space in the trunk too without the ramp and fuel jug.The Subaru will do it, especially if it will accept a Class 3 hitch, you'll just have to take it easy. And the above point about trailer brakes is a good one: GET trailer brakes. If the trailer doesn't have them, install them. You may have some compatibility issues to sort out, figure out how to make a brake controller happen - or use the surge-brake design that the U-Haul trailers have. Most North American trailers below 3000 lb GVWR don't have trailer brakes, so this might be a special-order or a custom-fit or a DIY situation.
I towed bikes on an open trailer behind first a VW Passat diesel and then a Jetta TDI for years. With two bikes, my towed weight was in the 700-750 kg (1500-1600 lb) range. In europe those cars are rated for around 600 kg without trailer brakes and 1300 - 1400 kg with trailer brakes. I wouldn't want to tow any more than what I was already towing, without trailer brakes. I could deal with slowing down and downshifting to go up hills, but not being able to stop ... is a little unnerving.
Even with the van that I have now, which has a 5000 lb tow rating ... I've towed an enclosed trailer with two bikes in it without trailer brakes, and the absence of trailer braking is beyond noticeable.
FTFY. They are a scourge on life. Fragile, soulless, worst of all worlds except theoretical fuel efficiency. I'd take a conventional torque converter auto over a CVT any day.Avoid a (CVT) Continuously Variable Transmission fortowinganything
If you are going that route make sure you budget for a new clutch. The stock clutch is marginal at best and I suspect lots of slipping when towing. A TDI could also work but same problem. Personally, I don't like the tail wagging the dog and trailer weights approaching tow vehicle weights make me very nervous. Also, I don't know if any VW car lets you go over 200 lbs tongue weight which is not enough for a trailer well over 2000 lbs.VW Golf All-track. Come in Manual, 4WD, and will tow. However like above, I would spring for an Ecoboost F150, that is the right tool for the job, not sure why you want to tow with a manual car.