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Subject Topic: which focus/mondeo 2 tow conway cruiser? Post Reply Post New Topic
Personbaydreamer
05/1/2013 at 11:17pm
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: conway cruiser View baydreamer's Profile View Profile   Reply to baydreamer Reply   Quote baydreamer Quote  
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Hi

Looking for a replacement car, but dont have a lot of cash. Thinking about a 2002-2005 ford focus or mondeo to tow my 2007 conway cruiser? Not sure if or which models/engine sizes would be able to pull it? Obviously as I dont have a lot of cash to splash,lol....I am looking for the lowest engine/car size that would manage....

Very grateful for your thoughts please.....



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Ahh peace at last!


Persondon-maureen
05/1/2013 at 11:53pm
 Location: BRISTOL
 Outfit: Kampa Frinton 5. Litchfield Montana 6. View don-maureen's Profile View Profile   Reply to don-maureen Reply   Quote don-maureen Quote  
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Hi,
you don't realy want to go below 1800 and a deisel would be better than petrol I would have thought.
the max weight of the cruiser? what year? they vary for max weight.

SOME EXAMPLES OF CRUISER MAX WEIGHT
1997 750K
2001 850K
2004 900K
2008 900K   

Post last edited on 06/01/2013 00:08:09

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I sure do like the UK summers :) :)


PersonRuss Boy
06/1/2013 at 12:39am
 Location: The Republic of Bethnal Green
 Outfit: 2010 Conway Crusader View Russ Boy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Russ Boy Reply   Quote Russ Boy Quote  
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i was told that my other halfs focus 1600 deisel would ow our Crusader but my mondeo 2000 was the better option

 



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If its Too loud your Too OLD
Russ Boy


Personderekcbr
06/1/2013 at 9:59am
 Location: Wrexham North Wales
 Outfit: Eriba 540 Troll View derekcbr's Profile View Profile   Reply to derekcbr Reply   Quote derekcbr Quote  
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If you want a mondeo be aware that ford use a duel mass flywheel on the clutch system. Very expensive when things go wrong! If you hear a little rattle when engine is idling stay away or think about another vehicle.


Personbaydreamer
06/1/2013 at 11:06am
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: conway cruiser View baydreamer's Profile View Profile   Reply to baydreamer Reply   Quote baydreamer Quote  
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Thanks derekdbr. Maybe a 1.8 or 2.0 focus then? Petrol or diesel? Still not sure what to go for? Used to pull it with a Renault Megane 1.5 dci (diesel), but it did struggle uphills. Any more advice from anyone please....?

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Ahh peace at last!


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PersonMiserly
06/1/2013 at 1:16pm
 Location: Stockport
 Outfit: Venus and Cmax 2.0D View Miserly's Profile View Profile   Reply to Miserly Reply   Quote Miserly Quote  
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http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/Caravan-Towing-Car-Match

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Silence is golden
Duct tape is silver


Persondon-maureen
06/1/2013 at 6:03pm
 Location: BRISTOL
 Outfit: Kampa Frinton 5. Litchfield Montana 6. View don-maureen's Profile View Profile   Reply to don-maureen Reply   Quote don-maureen Quote  
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Hi I just looked through on ford and the verdict was 95% stating 2.0ltr and above for a 900k trailer, most of which were diesels,
if your cruiser is the 'older 650 or 700k'max weight, then you would get away with an 1800.

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I sure do like the UK summers :) :)


Personderekcbr
07/1/2013 at 2:18pm
 Location: Wrexham North Wales
 Outfit: Eriba 540 Troll View derekcbr's Profile View Profile   Reply to derekcbr Reply   Quote derekcbr Quote  
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Gotta go for diesel. Far more torque than petrol and not as much electric probs. stay away from french! Too costly in repair and servicing. Jap very good too. Good hunting!


PersonOpensauce
07/1/2013 at 2:37pm
 Location: 
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All modern diesels have a dual mass flywheel, they generally only fail due to abuse although caravan towing don't help. You will probably get a Mondeo cheaper than a Focus, just try for service history of regular servicing & parts replacement all listed but the older & cheaper the car, the less chance of this.

Those in the know can take advantage of the British 'hate the French' attitude, for example you will probably find older Citroen C5/Peugeot 406 for half the price of a Mondeo etc & they have no more or less chance of failing expensively than any other equivalent car of similar age.


Personderekcbr
07/1/2013 at 5:05pm
 Location: Wrexham North Wales
 Outfit: Eriba 540 Troll View derekcbr's Profile View Profile   Reply to derekcbr Reply   Quote derekcbr Quote  
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Why do you think citroen/peugeot etc are cheaper than ford/vauxhall/VW/Jap its got nothing to do with 'hate the French' but probably due to something called build quality, ease of maintenance/repair and aftermarket parts prices. By the way Mondeos are noted for their duel mass flywheel probs!! Sorry Tentz


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PersonBig Al
07/1/2013 at 6:02pm
 Location: 
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you will find that the ford has the same french engine !


PersonRodger49
07/1/2013 at 9:34pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Pennine Sterling View Rodger49's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rodger49 Reply   Quote Rodger49 Quote  
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I towed a 900kg Pennine Sterling fc for 5 years with a 1·6 petrol civic and found it more than adequate, although occasionally I had to work it to keep going on hills. I've since changed to a 1300kg caravan which I initially towed with a 2.0 petrol accord which was just about okay. I now tow the van with a diesel CRV which is much better. The fc was easier to tow and if I ever went back to one I would also go back to a petrol car to avoid the extra costs that come with diesel cars (more expensive to buy and potential expensive repairs). The advice about diesels and towing a caravan is spot on but I would happily tow a fc with a petrol 1.6 or bigger.


Personbaydreamer
07/1/2013 at 9:45pm
 Location: lincolnshire
 Outfit: conway cruiser View baydreamer's Profile View Profile   Reply to baydreamer Reply   Quote baydreamer Quote  
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Thanks Rodger49. Having towed with a 1.5 turbo diesel, I was unsure if a 1.6 petrol would be up to the job? I shall in this case then start looking at a 1.6 petrol. Diesels are more expensive to buy and although cheaper to tax,insure and more fuel efficient....a car that's 8-10 yrs old wouldn't return the extra costs I don't think. As far as the torque issue....I think I'll avoid hills lol.

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Ahh peace at last!


PersonRodger49
08/1/2013 at 8:23pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Pennine Sterling View Rodger49's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rodger49 Reply   Quote Rodger49 Quote  
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I also towed my fc with a Nissan Tino 1.8 petrol which was okay too, but even though it had a slightly bigger engine it was no better than the 1.6 petrol civic. Obviously engine characteristics vary between manufacturers and some will be more suitable than others. There are lots of 1.8 or 2.0 petrol mondeos or focuses out there which should be up to the job. A friend tows a pennine fiesta (650kg I think) with a 1.6 petrol focus and it's fine. You could post or search on the fc forum on here to see what people are using.



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