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My outfit is Ford S-Max - 1.8 TDCi [6MT] with a Abbey Vogue 540:

I've completed 2000 miles this year including Sheffield - Lochinver reaturn, so loads of hills ...... towing seems fine, but when I manouvre (reverse up hill) I get a terrible clutch burn smell - anyone else report similar?

Hee's a snapshot of the outfit write up, which reads ok to me http://www.whattowcar.com/report.php

Ford and Abbey
The towing capability for the Ford S-Max - 1.8 TDCi [6MT] with a Abbey Vogue 540: Your Abbey is 19 kg too heavy for this car!!!!

According to our data (in the Netherlands) this Abbey is 19 kg too heavy for the Ford. Please check the maximum towing limit in your own country.

The match between car and caravan is perfect in accordance with a mix of European standards. However, according to the British Towing Code the percentage (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) is 84%.

The towing performances of this Ford with your Abbey are good (performance index = 95 km/h or 59 mph).

You may expect rather lively performances from this outfit. On flat roads you can come along adequately, in which case top gear is applicable under favourable circumstances.

On motorway inclines you will be able to come along quite nicely. On steep roads you have more than sufficient power to keep going. On hill starts there will be sufficient power to get going, provided the wheels have traction.

just found this ...

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=20&TopicID=148703&PagePosition=7

Quote: Originally posted by pete1946 on 02/6/2009

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To slip a clutch is bad practice,the bearing could over heat and seize up,it will then damage the tongues on the preasure plate and then it could break up,if this happens it could also damage the bearing fork,and the gear box spiggot shaft,this with leave you with a big bill and if on holiday you will have no car to go out in, or get home if you cant get it repaired,not to mention if you are only travelling on the start your holiday.

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Yes but no but Pete!

The S-Max and Mondeo do have a high first and reverse gear ratio. I have had a S-Max for nearly two years and use a motor mover for any significant positioning but still get the odd smell of burning clutch when getting onto a pitch with just a bit of toing and froing. (sp?)

Just on tick over the car will gladly travel quite quickly (solo of course) and tbh that speed in reverse is just too fast most of the time, so, there is no option but to slip the clutch.

Maybe an auto is the answer?

Mr UM

Hi everybody, i used to get this problem with my Vectra, until i started releasing my stabiliser when reversing onto pitch and now i dont get the smells or the smoke anymore, might just be a coincedance but its well worth trying

              Ian

I've an al-ko 3004. I was on the 2 day Caravan Club manouvering course (with a smaller van AND NO clutch burn!!!) and there was no mention of "remove the stabilizer". Is this really recommended????,

If you know the al-ko 3004, is it just undo the "large red stabilizer" lever BUT leave small blck lever engaged?