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Can anyone give me advice to whether my focus 1.6 zetec is powerfull enough to tow a 2 berth van...650kg unladen up to max 850kg but we wouldn't be towing it with much weight onboard.

Reason for asking is the bloke i bought it off used a 1.6 picasso diesel and said it towed easily but don't want to hit any hills and be dropping to 2nd gear with a trail of hotheads behind me.

Thanks in advance.

Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 25/9/2012

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Hatch/Saloon/Estate?   Manual/Auto? What year?

Is the caravans gross laden weight 850kg on the chassis plate? Watch out for sellers than state the unladen weight or just say yeah your cars perfect.

I towed with a 1.6 petrol engine once and went out and bought a 2.5 turbo diesel.
Changing gear far too often for a relaxed drive.


When you say with much weight onboard, What does that mean? You cay have a problem there.

As well as the max towing limit your car will have axle limits and a gross train weight.
You can not exceed any of these figures.

I have a mondeo estate and can carry 500kg of weight in the car which sounds a lot. 1/2 a ton..
But add 5 people weighing an average of 12 stone and thats 380kg gone already.

+ luggage + a caravan and its easy to overload the car and especially the rear axle.

With my car you cannot tow the cars max limit and load the car to the max limit. The combined weight is 200 or 300kg less than the gross train weight limit. (i forget the exact figure now)

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Thakns for your reply.

'03 focus 1.6 hatchback.16V Manual

Van is an Adrea Optima '92.Our first van for winter weekend breaks,not the most eyecatching but light and a dry solid van for our first venture into caravaning.

Chassis of van stamped 650kg unladen and max 850kg .When i say about carrying weight i meant it wouldn't be loaded up with stuff to silly amounts and just me and 'er indoors in the car.

Appreciate your knowledge and help...all this car's kerbweight/gross train weight etc is baffling to me?!

Regards.

Ok your car is around 1171kg kerbweight the van is 850 kg, max towweight 1200kg.

Your running at a 72% match which is well below the guidlines   100bhp petrol engine will tow that no problem yeah a diesel would be better but hey you aint got one.

I would'nt worry about it  just enjoy your van & winter caravaning, just read the road so you know in advance when the hills are coming and keep your revs up youll be fine

Bessie     

I am sure that many a caravanner starts off by pretending that they will not carry much in the van or the car. Life is not like that. Once on site and you see a van with an awning it gets you thinking about the advantages. Then you start to think about alfresco meals so you need a table. Then there are the recliner chairs to enjoy the sunshine (well next year anyway!). Then there is this and that.....all something and nothing really untill you weight it all and find that the van would be overloaded. Then there are the basics which are were not generally included within the MTPLM for your van, such as  Gas bottle; Battery; water hog; waste water container; Fire Extinguisher; pans/cutlery and that’s about 50Kg off your 200Kg personal allowance leaving you with 150Kg. It's amazing how quickly the weight adds up.  

....so you divide it all up between van and car.

Just take it as read that you will load the van to just about its MTPLM and go on that weight as a percentage of your car's weight. From what folk are saying you are within the safe towing guidelines. So, off to the dealers shop for a bundle of extras then..

Phil

Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 26/9/2012

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I have towed with both a Focus 2.0 (MKII) & 1.6 (MKIII) diesel estate but you haven't actually stated whether it's a petrol or diesel engine you are referring to.

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