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Subject Topic: Ford focus estate 2.0 td
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Persontwintens
10/11/2015 at 9:41pm
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Hi I'm looking at buying a 2012/2015 ford focus estate as I've been looking at the max towing is 1500 kg as my van is 1500 max loaded does anyone tow with a simular set up I would have preferred the mondeo estate but it's just too long for my garage and it needs to be an estate and not a 4x4 as I need to use it for work I also know that it's 100% but it's legal and I've been towing caravans over fifteen years and all my outfits have been over 95%never had a problem just wanting advice not a lecture on the 85% rule thanks in advance




VangoMan02
11/11/2015 at 6:44am
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It would appear from your figures there is no room for error and there must be some doubt in your own mind, or you would not be asking the question. I have been towing for 40+ years and would not feel comfortable towing what you suggest.
Just my advice not a lecture about towing at 100% or possibly over that.


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Persontwintens
11/11/2015 at 8:08am
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I'm in no doubt about the legality or my own ability to drive at 100% I'm trying to find out how the car performs at 100% or near as I know my post looked a bit aggressive but was just trying to get my point across so this post was not taken over with replies about the 85% guide thanks for your response


PersonGrampian91
11/11/2015 at 8:10am
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100% to the cars max towing weight but the catrs kerbweight is likely to be less than 1500kg.

Whats the gross train weight figure? With my Mondeo i cannot tow the max 1800kg and load the car to its 2200kg limit.

I can make the car heavier or the trailer heavier, but the combined weight is approx 250kg less than the gross train weight.


PersonOpensauce
11/11/2015 at 10:00am
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Brochure for current Focus estate 2litre diesel states 1800kg tow weight 3.85t gtw & 1460kg kerb so little different to Mondy. Should be as good as any.


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Persontwintens
11/11/2015 at 10:05am
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Cheers opensauce didn't know that the towing capacity had gone up to 1800 kg that's brill


VangoMan02
11/11/2015 at 12:58pm
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Technical permisable weight is a different story to what would be safe to tow.
I have a Focus 1.6tdci and would not attempt to tow the 1300kg that Ford say is the technical permisable towing weight.
I know the car and it would not pull away on a serious hillstart with that weight (only done 22,000mls)
I tow around 1100kg, possibly 1200kg if pushed, car weighs 1350kg and on a hillstart thats as far as I want to go.

What I am capable of as a driver is nothing to do with what the car is capable/safe of doing

New model Focus 2ltr diesel..1800kg permisable towing weight with a car weighing 1460kg as stated above..Sounds like an accident waiting to happen!

Jeremy Clarkston pulled a 747 plane on a level runway with a VW 4x4 which proves nothing in relation to whats safe to tow.

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It is a fool who has to say something.


Personneil and lena
11/11/2015 at 6:42pm
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Quote: Originally posted by twintens on 10/11/2015Hi I'm looking at buying a 2012/2015 ford focus estate as I've been looking at the max towing is 1500 kg as my van is 1500 max loaded does anyone tow with a simular set up I would have preferred the mondeo estate but it's just too long for my garage and it needs to be an estate and not a 4x4 as I need to use it for work I also know that it's 100% but it's legal and I've been towing caravans over fifteen years and all my outfits have been over 95%never had a problem just wanting advice not a lecture on the 85% rule thanks in advance





Hmmm !! do you think you will be able to control any instability if it occurs with your caravan weighing more than your car.
Could you stop in an emergency situation with a caravan that equals or exceeds the weight of your car .
There is no substitute for having a good weight advantage in your tow vehicle


Persontwintens
11/11/2015 at 9:41pm
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And here we go with the sarcastic comments my van has never weighed more than the car I tow with I have never broken any legal towing limits/laws and yes on a couple of occasions I've had slam on the anchors but due to me not been over the cars maximum towing limits they have performed as it should (not crashing or snaking all over the place) I'm asking for advice on how the Ford focus tows not the law on towing limits thanks for your response


VangoMan02
11/11/2015 at 11:10pm
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The new Focus 2ltr diesel estate weighs 1460kg, your vans towing weight as you say is 1500kgs and not being rude but you were thanking the person who told you the max permisable towing weight by Ford was apparently 1800kg.

What kind of car do you use at present to tow the van and how does it tow?

Not being sarcastic ..just interested.

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


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PersonOpensauce
12/11/2015 at 7:32am
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You go back to the 44tonne truck analogy. depending on the load, weight & volume, the driver needs to know how hard he can push it, length of braking distance & so on. & so it is with a car/caravan. Put a small Eriba caravan behind an average size car, it's an aerodynamic egg, its not like towing a caravan, it feels like one vehicle. Tow a large white brick & one has to be more careful, take less chances. This is self evident so I'm not sure why the op was posted, he has the figures & everything is legal, what advice does he require?

I've taken all sorts of chances in my life with dodgy loads on trucks, overweight etc, to get the job done. All one needs is the knowledge to be able to drive accordingly.


Persontwintens
12/11/2015 at 7:34am
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I currently own a abbey mtplm1400 and drive a skoda octavia max tow 1400 and a max gross train weight is 3306 or something very close can't remember exactly on the train weight but I don't like the skoda only had it a year and I'm buying a coachman 1500 kg max


Persontwintens
12/11/2015 at 7:51am
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I was asking to see if the Ford focus was actually up to the job with regards to how it handles how it pulls away and how well it stops I currently have a skoda octavia and in all honesty I think it's the worst car I've ever owned tows beautifully but just keeps breaking down and has I drive a lot it's coming up to the end of its warranty and I'm buying a heavier van I'm getting rid


Persontucka20
12/11/2015 at 11:52am
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Quote: Originally posted by twintens on 12/11/2015
I was asking to see if the Ford focus was actually up to the job with regards to how it handles how it pulls away and how well it stops I currently have a skoda octavia and in all honesty I think it's the worst car I've ever owned tows beautifully but just keeps breaking down and has I drive a lot it's coming up to the end of its warranty and I'm buying a heavier van I'm getting rid


Hi,

Not sure if it is any help but we have a Focus 1.0l Petrol 125 Estate 2012 and it tows our 1166kg van fine with a max tow of 1200kg. Didn't have any issues with hill starts and were able to drive in 6th on flat and 5th uphill and everything felt stable.

As a car it is great. I recommend you go for at least Titanium Spec and the driver assistance package (auto park, sign recognition, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring) is a great addon. Parking sensors all round are great but camera is good for reversing up to van. We have the 18 inch wheels and whilst they look good, they detract from comfort and are expensive to replace.

Hopefully this is the sort of advise you wanted, albeit not for a 2.0 Diesel but for the same make and model.


Persontwintens
12/11/2015 at 1:07pm
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Cheers tucks that's what I'm needing mate obviously your is a lighter set up than mine but with regards to power it's good to know


Persontucka20
12/11/2015 at 1:43pm
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Quote: Originally posted by twintens on 12/11/2015
Cheers tucks that's what I'm needing mate obviously your is a lighter set up than mine but with regards to power it's good to know


Yep and that's with a 1.0 petrol engine too! Good car, hasn't let us down. Fuel economy not the best though (35mpg normal and 24 towing)



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