I tow our caravan which has an unladen weight of 984 kgs. and fully loaded around 1250 kgs. with a Ford Focus 2.0 TDi estate and I don't experience any problems like you mention, but the Mondeo 2.0 TDi is a far superior towcar in comparison to the Focus so it should have towed a caravan with less than a 1000 kgs. with no problem at all. The bouncing you have experieced sound like 'pitching' which is the action of the tow hitch bouncing on the towball which could be down to insufficient noseweight. Having a leisure battery and 2 full gas cylinders on board will increase the nose weight which you will have to check with a noseweight gauge to obtain the exact weight of the hitch. Once you have found out what the caravan's MTPLM is then the basic guide is have a noseweight of approximately 7% of the MTPLM (maximum laden weight). You need to find out what the maximum weight of the towbar can take as well as on the Focus Mk I it's 50 kgs. and the MK II & III is 75 kgs. which is a bit low in comparison to some other towcars which some can accept up to 100 kgs.
Quote: Originally posted by floggitt on 02/4/2011
Have to disagree, as an experienced HGV driver and eco instructor yes you should let a turbo diesel labour. The Ford TDCi engine for example has its maximum torque between 2000 and 3000 revs and you should drive according to keep the engine revs in this band to achieve the best performance/fuel economy
The main reason not to allow a car to labour up a hill when towing is to keep the water temp. down as a revving engine will keep the water pumping around.
You are indeed correct that the engine should be kept with in its' powerband & driving it as you describe is not labouring the engine, it is possible when towing uphill to allow revs to drop much lower & cause the temp gauge to rise.
To the op....Your towing experience may suggest the hitch damper on the caravan has failed. As you have just bought caravan it would be an idea to have it serviced at a caravan workshop or by a mobile fitter before you use it.
well. can i say that it is fantastic that some people on here know EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING.. it is really satisfyingly reassuring that, no matter what question you ask,.. some people will always know the best answer.
good old UKCS.. has some FAB users
------------- tina xx
mum to 5 kids
DD-20
DS-16
DD-14
DD-9
DS-3 and a half!
and a large, daft, black dog!!
Letting a modern diesel labour in too high a gear is a contributory factor to premature Dual Mass flywheel failure, which of course the Mondeo has along with the majority of modern cars.
I had a a very lengthy conversation with LUK (OE clutch manufacturer) technical on this very subject when I worked at a car parts supplier.
Incidently, the Mondeo 2 litre TDCi produces maximum torque between 1900 and 2200 rpm according to all the Ford bumph I have for mine. Which is great news 'cos at 60mph in 5th mines doing just about 2000 rpm. Mines a 5 speed not a 6.
There is one thing that no one has mentioned, and that is, is the EGR valve working ?, is it sticking ?, this would cause a lack of power.
------------- Think this year is to follow old meet friends for 2014.
If you cant do someone a good turn,don`t do them a bad one,its nice to be nice you know,and little things mean much more later in life.
Pete.