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Quote: Originally posted by bates on 17/5/2009

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Thank you very much for all your help, I must admit Im still a little confused how much weight I can tow.

I passed my test before 1997 but I thought I could tow upto 7.5tonne, I telephoned the Police and they seem to think the same. I will have to phone the DVLA up tomorrow to clarify this.

I think we will go for the 2.0l S-Max anyway.

Thanks again.

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Yes, your licence allows you to drive a vehicle of up to 7.5 tonnes, but that is nothing to do with what Ford says the car can handle. that is your constraint.

Good luck with the S-max, a good choice.

 

Mr UM

Hi,

I tow with a 2 litre diesel S-max (57 Plate), 145ps, and chose it for the additional power and towing capacity, over the 1.8

We tow a van with a MTPLM of 1450 (we have weighed it loaded and we are pretty near!) and with the S-Max, itself loaded up, pulls an absolute treat.

Unless we have a tail wind I do not tow in top gear (sixth) on the motorway but in 5th I still get a respectable 32-33mpg towing and an honest 44-46 solo. (I can get over 50 solo, but it is a bit boring!)

It is a very stable platform and a better tow vehicle than a Mondeo, but, in my opinion, not quite as luxurious. (A firmer ride and less walnut on display.)

The acceleration available when joining traffic is quite impressive, I once had the van up to 70 on a moroway slip road before I checked the speedo .

I have driven over 35000 miles and it has performed well. I did meet a chap with a very early version and he had all sorts of problems (Dash board went "pop" and some of the rear seats collapsed from what I can remember, amongst other things) He did say however that his was only the second S-max the dealer had sold (06 plate).

My only niggle is that there is no spare wheel, (just a tube of gloop and a natty compressor (c/w prayerbook)).

I had a major puncture last week that ripped the tyre and had to ring around to find a tyre depot that carried the high load, £200 tyres that the S-max uses.

I am thinking of buying a spare tyre to carry with me, especially when on holiday in France, to in case they are difficult to find in France (have they heard of Michelin's over there?)

Regarding the tow bar, I would try and get the dealer to sort it for you, the factory fitted option is actually a fair price.

The Can-bus multiplexed electical system means that in reality only a Ford garage can fit a tow bar, it needs  setting up with a lap-top, which was well outside of the technical skills of my usual tow bar fitter.

A fixed ball goose necked Witter cost me £430, so if you can get a deal on it when buying the car it may be worth investigating.

Hi i'll second what Mr Ultimates says, I have an 07 plate 145 ps and tow a 1500 kg Coachman with no bother at all, As regards the dodgy electrics they are prone to getting water in the alarm siren, which puts the wipers on sometimes not stopping even with the key out. This is fixed under warranty anyway, 

I know some guys who have had towbars fitted at independent garages and run them into ford to have the sockets wired up, saving them over £150.

I'll second the fuel figures aswell, All in all a great car and towcar.

Bessie