Hi all, we have a ford focus 1.6tdci 2006 5 door model. Does anybody tow with one of these? we need at least a single axle 6 berth so really need to figure out if we would ever find something light enough or do we just give up and get a bigger car?
thanks!
Hi,why not go for a 6 berth folding camper, you would manage that and there virtually the same floor plan as a van, and easier to tow with no wind resistance and you get the benefit of your economical car when your not towing
Is the 1.6 diesel a 5 door hatchback or 5 door estate? If it's the hatchback it has a kerbweight of 1357 kgs. whereas the estate kerbweight is 1391 kgs. An 85% match to the hatchback would be 1157 kgs. and the estate is 1182 kgs. The hatchback has a lighter bodyweight compared to that of the estate. I tow with a Ford Focus 1.6 TDi estate with the 109 bhp. There is another version with a bhp of 90 which is rather useless on torque really which is needed when climbing hills. The estates also have disc brakes both front and rear which the hatchback doesn't. Having discs all round has the extra stopping power with a caravan in tow.
My match is about 92% but I have had 6 years towing experience with a smaller van first. I have provided a link for you to make the calculation.
I had a 52 plate 1.6 petrol I used to tow with. I towed a Freedom at first then a Sterckeman 4 berth. It towed well but wasn't great at hills, I would get a bigger car as you won't find a van 6 berth light enough.
A 52 plate was the mark 1 which only had a noseweight limit of 50 kgs. apparently. The Mark 2 and latest mark 3 both have noseweight limits of 75 kgs. and yours being a 2006 model would be the Mark 2.
Think not only about the weight of the caravan but the weight of the stuff that you are going to put in it to support 6 people. I don't think you would find a towable 6 berth outside of a folder or trailer tent and if you did manage to find one the stuff you put in it will probably take you well over weight. You need a bigger car really (or smaller family)
agree with the idea of changing car.. we were told we could you buy 4 berth caravan with the 1.6 Focus we had... settled for a 2 berth one... still found the car struggled, especially up any slight gradient, and that was without too much stuff in the caravan... got new Kuga...