2021 Subaru Ascent towing capacity
The 2021 Subaru Ascent tows 2,000 lbs to 5,000 lbs depending on how it's built. The top number needs the Models with air-cooled continuously variable transmission fluid cooler.
✓ From 2021MY Ascent Owner's Manual (MSA5M2100B), p. 406 ↗Checked 2026-09-292026202520242023202220212020
- 5,000
- Max towing, lbs
- 2,000
- Lowest rating, lbs
- 2
- Configurations
- 500
- Max tongue, lbs
Your exact truck
Which Ascent is yours?
Trim / version?
Not sure? The label on your driver's door jamb and your window sticker list these.
So far
2,000 lbs – 5,000 lbs
2 configurations still match. Answer to narrow it down.
Check your trailer →Try it
Will it pull your trailer?
Use the trailer's GVWR (on its VIN sticker) if you don't know what it weighs loaded — the dry weight leaves out water, propane and gear.
Only 1 of 2 configurations
It takes the — — pick your configuration below to be sure.
▲ top rating 5,000 lbs
- Tongue weight ≈ 280 lbs — 10% of the loaded trailer, the figure Ford's towing guide uses (no more than 200 lbs up to 2,000 lbs). It counts against your payload, together with passengers and cargo.Over the Maximum tongue load (Models without air-cooled continuously variable transmission fluid cooler) tongue limit of 200 lbs.
- Needed at this weight: For trailers over 1,000 lbs – adequate size trailer brakes are required.
- ✓ up to 90% of the rating · ! 90–100% (little room for cargo, hills, wind — common advice, not a Subaru rule) · ✕ over the rating.
Read this before you buy
Why the numbers differ
Same top rating as the 2020 model (5,000 lbs).
In real life
What 5,000 lbs means in trailers
Ford's towing guide sorts trailers into four weight classes; the classes describe the trailer, so they apply to any tow vehicle. With the right configuration the Ascent reaches:
- Class I✓ Yes
up to 2,000 lbs
Small folding camping trailers and trailers for small boats, motorcycles and snowmobiles.
- Class II✓ Yes
2,001–3,500 lbs
Large folding camping trailers, single-axle, small- to medium-length (up to 18-ft.) trailers.
- Class III✓ Yes
3,501–5,000 lbs
Dual-axle or large single-axle travel trailers.
- Class IV✕ No
over 5,000 lbs
Largest travel and 5th-wheel trailers made for recreation.
Real trailers
Can the Ascent pull these?
Similar boat package, not this model.Photo: Airman Nicole Sikorski, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
G3 Boats · boat package · 23 ft
Sportsman 1710 (boat + motor + trailer package)
1,865 lbs boat + motor + trailer, before fuel and gear
✓ Any configuration
Similar utility, not this model.Photo: Xaver X. Dreißig, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Carry-On Trailer · utility · 11.54 ft
5' x 8' GW2K Series 5X8GW2K (open utility, wood floor, gate)
2,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
nuCamp · teardrop · 15.5 ft
TAB 320 (Boondock)
2,069 lbs dry weight only — loaded will be more
! 1 of 2 configurations
Needs the —.
Similar cargo, not this model.Photo: DiamondBack Covers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
Carry-On Trailer · cargo · 12 ft
5' x 8' CG3K Series 5X8CG (enclosed cargo, single rear door)
2,990 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
! 1 of 2 configurations
Needs the —.
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 20.17 ft
Basecamp 20X
4,300 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
! 1 of 2 configurations
Needs the —.
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 20.17 ft
Jay Feather Air 16RB
4,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
! 1 of 2 configurations
Needs the —.
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 20.58 ft
Bambi 20FB
5,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
! 1 of 2 configurations
Needs the —.
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 29.42 ft
Jay Flight SLX 260BH
6,500 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · travel trailer · 26.08 ft
Imagine XLS 22MLE
6,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
7 heavier trailers the Ascent isn't rated for
Similar cargo, not this model.Photo: DiamondBack Covers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
Carry-On Trailer · cargo · 16 ft
6' x 12' CG7K Series 6X12CGR7K (enclosed cargo, tandem axle, ramp door)
7,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar car hauler, not this model.Photo: Strubbl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Big Tex Trailers · car hauler
70CH-18 Tandem Axle Car Hauler (wood deck, 18' bed)
7,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 31.17 ft
Flying Cloud 30FB Bunk
8,800 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar fifth wheel, not this model.Photo: Cullen328, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · fifth wheel · 29.83 ft
Reflection 150-Series 260RD
9,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ No 5th-wheel rating
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · travel trailer · 35.42 ft
Reflection 317RSTS
10,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar fifth wheel, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · fifth wheel · 28.17 ft
Eagle Fifth Wheel 28RLT
11,400 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ No 5th-wheel rating
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 35.5 ft
Eagle Travel Trailer 312BHOK
11,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Weights are what each trailer maker publishes (retrieved 2026-09-27). We compare the trailer's GVWR — the most it may weigh loaded — with each Ascent configuration's rating, and never a dry weight when a GVWR exists.
Fine print, made plain
What the rating assumes
Over 1,000 lbs
For trailers over 1,000 lbs – adequate size trailer brakes are required.
Equipment
Tongue load should be 8% to 11% of the total trailer weight.
Tongue weight limit
Maximum tongue load (Models with air-cooled continuously variable transmission fluid cooler)
500 lbs tongue
Tongue weight limit
Maximum tongue load (Models without air-cooled continuously variable transmission fluid cooler)
200 lbs tongue
Every rating assumes a 150-lb driver and passenger and no other cargo. Add people, gear or accessories and the trailer you can tow goes down by the same amount.
New to towing?
The five weights, in one picture
- Loaded trailer weight — must stay under the towing rating
- The rating “It assumes a towing vehicle with any mandatory options, no cargo, tongue load of 10% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15% (5th-wheel trailer), and driver and passenger (150 lbs. each).” Weight of additional options, passengers, cargo and hitch must be deducted from this weight. p. 7 ↗
- Tongue weight — the part of the trailer pressing on the hitch
- “For trailers up to 2,000 lbs., tongue load not to exceed 200 lbs. For conventional trailers over 2,000 lbs., tongue load is 10% of loaded trailer weight. For 5th-wheel trailers, king pin weight is 15% of loaded trailer weight.” p. 7 ↗
- Payload — people and cargo the truck can carry
- “Payload is the combined maximum allowable weight of cargo and passengers that the vehicle is designed to carry. It is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus the Base Curb Weight.” And: “When towing, trailer tongue load or king pin weight is also part of the Cargo Weight.” p. 6 ↗
- GVWR and GCWR — the two ceilings
- “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable weight of the fully-loaded vehicle (including passengers and cargo).” “Gross Vehicle Weight PLUS Loaded Trailer Weight EQUALS Gross Combination Weight (GCW) GCW must not exceed GCWR.” Your GVWR is on the label on the driver's door jamb. p. 6 ↗
From the maker's table
All 2 configurations
| Engine | Trim | Max trailer | GCWR | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Models with air-cooled continuously variable transmission fluid cooler | 5,00012 | not listed | p. 406 ↗ |
| — | Models without air-cooled continuously variable transmission fluid cooler | 2,00032 | not listed | p. 406 ↗ |
- Continuously variable transmission type TR690SXXXX (To check the model number label for the continuously variable transmission type, refer to “Vehicle identification” FP501.)
- When towing a trailer without brakes: 1,000 lbs (453 kg).
- Continuously variable transmission type TR690GXXXX (To check the model number label for the continuously variable transmission type, refer to “Vehicle identification” FP501.)
Weights in lbs. “Not listed” means the maker printed no GCWR for that configuration — we don't estimate one.
More Subaru towing capacities
Questions people ask
What is the towing capacity of the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
From 2,000 lbs to 5,000 lbs, depending on engine, axle ratio, body and drive. The 5,000 lbs top rating is for the Models with air-cooled continuously variable transmission fluid cooler (Continuously variable transmission type TR690SXXXX (To check the model number label for the continuously variable transmission type, refer to “Vehicle identification” FP501.) When towing a trailer without brakes: 1,000 lbs (453 kg)).
Does the 2021 Subaru Ascent need a tow package?
For trailers over 1,000 lbs – adequate size trailer brakes are required. Tongue load should be 8% to 11% of the total trailer weight.
How much tongue weight can the 2021 Subaru Ascent handle?
Maximum tongue load (Models with air-cooled continuously variable transmission fluid cooler): 500 lbs. Maximum tongue load (Models without air-cooled continuously variable transmission fluid cooler): 200 lbs.
Citing these numbers?
Can Tow That. "2021 Subaru Ascent Towing Capacity." From 2021MY Ascent Owner's Manual (MSA5M2100B), Publication MSA5M2100B, PDF modified 2020-11-20. https://cantowthat.com/subaru/ascent/2021
Source: 2021MY Ascent Owner's Manual (MSA5M2100B) (Subaru of America, Publication MSA5M2100B, PDF modified 2020-11-20; retrieved 2026-09-29). Page links open the PDF at the page each number is printed on.
2 ratings checked against the PDFHow we verify