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Hi we towed a van with a 1300kgs MPTLM  with 2.0 tdci focus estate, 2006 model year and it pulled like a dream, we have changed to a volvo v70 2.0 d with the sample engine and approx 250kgs heavier, and wish we had stuck with the focus, much beteer toe car IMHO.

however about to change again in spet 12 and may again go for the focus III 2.0 d  estate.

enjoy. Chris W.

Thank you to everyone for your comments and I will take onboar all that has been said. I'd looked at what towcar dot com prior to buying the ford focus and all seemed fairly happy with theirs?

I will be very cautious and if, on our first trip away, it doesn't feel right, I may change the car, the caravan, or both to something more suitable. Happy caravanning to you all.

Kind Regards,

Chris and Paula

Hi chrisnpaula take you car to a weigh bridge and weigh it you may find the margin might be more than people on here have stated, i did this last year with my Mondeo the brochure kerbweight was showing 1557kg  including 75kg driver and 90% fuel.

The actual weight of my car on the bridge was 1630 empty with 90% fuel add the 75kg driver takes it to over 1700kg  almost 150kgs more than the brochure,

A mate of mine did the same with his c max and got a higher figure again.

The higher the car spec the heavier it gets. brochure weights are the basic car       

Bessie

Something with a kerbweight of 1700kg+ and 160bhp+

Do you mean like a mondeo Titanuim X 163 bhp ??  ticks both them boxes

Bessie

Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 20/4/2012

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Towing match far from ideal for an inexperienced driver but not illegal

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Quote: Originally posted by Surfer01 on 29/4/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 20/4/2012Towing match far from ideal for an inexperienced driver but not illegal

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Why do you think it is far from ideal?

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Was having a read of "Practical Caravan" magazine whilst in Tesco today, being a tight wadd, I won't pay £4.10 for what is essentialy a mag of adverts.

Anyway, there was an article re the 85% rule, and it was saying that the rule was born a good few years ago, and since then modern cars have evolved to cope with not such a strict rule.

In fact the article said that it is time to moove the rule to 90% and that certain groups were making noises to this effect.

In fact I was at a caravan display just yesterday, and the Bailey Orion 430-4 that I was looking at, had an A4 poster from Bailey, promoting what cars are suitable.

Even my VW Golf Mk6 TDi 1.6 (105BHP) was featured as being OK at a 91% no mention that I noticed that this was for experience caravaner's.

I have never towed a caravan, yet the sales chap, said I would be fine, and I am sure I would be.

Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 26/4/20121430 would be too much for a focus.Personally i wouldnt pull it with a mondeo sized car either.

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Something with a kerbweight of 1700kg+ and 160bhp+

But thats me.

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