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Subject Topic: New Ford Focus Post Reply Post New Topic
05/6/2013 at 8:41am
 Location: Lancaster England
 Outfit: Khyam Igloo & Sprayway Hood River 4
View cumbrian half-wit's Profile View Profile   Reply to cumbrian half-wit Reply   Quote cumbrian half-wit Quote  
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Hi,

New to caravanning (potentially) but not new to towing. Just wondered if anyone out there has any experience of towing a van with the new (13 plate) Focus? Ours is the 1600 diesel estate. On paper it's man enough for the job but I'm old fashioned where engine size is concerned and I'm a bit worried the 1600 is going to be underpowered. Looking at lightweight vans, an ABI Marauder is currently top of the list - a '95 5.0CT with an unladen weight of 925Kg.

Any advice gratefully received!

Paul



05/6/2013 at 9:31am
 Location: seaham co durham
 Outfit: elddis hurricane astra sportstourer
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hi cumbrian I have seat leon 1600 tdi and pulls my elddis ok but only the 2 of us new dervs are very good my seat is 105 bhp which in old dervs would of being a 2litre


05/6/2013 at 11:37am
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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Several power outputs with the 1.6 diesel, Just treble check the eco models.

Sometimes the towing weight is very low.



05/6/2013 at 12:21pm
 Location: Lancaster England
 Outfit: Khyam Igloo & Sprayway Hood River 4
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Thanks Leon / Grampian.

Car is the 115ps non econetic model with a kerb weight 1368, max tow 1200kg and the licence is no problem so in theory it all works. As is always the case I've read conflicting reviews on towing a van with a MkIII focus, some saying it's great, others complaining about poor performance and clutch problems.

I think you've possibly whacked the nail on the head with your question about the eco models - what these reviews never tell you is what output their engine has.I've already read that Ford say the econetic models are not suitable for towing.

 



05/6/2013 at 12:55pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit:  Volvo X60 Coachman
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I think your car will have plenty of weight and grunt to tow the Abi

 

Bessie



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05/6/2013 at 12:58pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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The new Ford Focus is actually the MK IV (mark 4) but I have towed with both the MK II (2.0 ltr. diesel) and the MK III (1.6 ltr. diesel) both being estate versions. There is quite a difference in kerbweight of the estate compared to the saloon plus the estate has disc brakes both front and rear whereas the saloon has only has discs on the front and drums on the rear but you haven't said which of the two you have. Also I would check with your Ford Dealer regarding the maximum towing weight as in the MK III brochure, Ford actually got the figures incorrect which 1200 kgs. should have actually been 1300 kgs. as there are two versions of the 1.6 ltr. Focus, one with a higher BHP than the other that's how I picked that up and questioned it. The dealer had an e-mail from Ford clarifying that the figures were actually the wrong way round and the higher BHP should have been 1300 kgs. and not 1200 kgs. as stated in the brochure. They may well have got it wrong again.


05/6/2013 at 1:23pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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115bhp diesel with a max tow of 1200kg should be no problem.

Possibly a bit lacking for my tastes, I would get a remap for an extra 20 - 30bhp. But thats probably just me.

Clutch issues. Lots of modern cars have dual mass flywheels which is need replacing too often.

Dont do racing starts from every set of lights and dont think wow this is great 6th gear at 10mph and it doesnt stall.

Keep the revs around 2000rpm in gear when accelerating and it will last much longer.



05/6/2013 at 1:35pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 05/6/2013
Possibly a bit lacking for my tastes, I would get a remap for an extra 20 - 30bhp. But thats probably just me.


I'm sure you would & void the warranty on a brand new car..145bhp from a 1.6diesel? that wouldn't last too long.....but I digress, the reason that caravanners tow down the motorway at 75mph without even noticing it is because modern cars have to much power, not too little. Yes the car will tow the caravan with power to spare...


05/6/2013 at 1:46pm
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: kimberley coachman amara 380 2
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we have just changed our 1.8tdi focus saloon for a kuga 2LT 4 (awd) as we found it struggled on soft ground due to our weather but for general towing of our coachman no problems but be aware when trying to reverse on to pitch the clutch may give off a burning smell.....


05/6/2013 at 1:49pm
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Worth pointing out to the power crazed, When towing uphill one should take it gently keeping the engine revving freely in low gear. Any sort of 'enthusiastic' uphill towing or driving on the flat will tend to shorten the life of the dual mass flywheel as cars are not actually engineered for towing even though they can.

If you have to pay your own repair bills then it is best to avoid using anywhere near all the power available when you tow.


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05/6/2013 at 2:12pm
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: kimberley coachman amara 380 2
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Well said Tentz x


06/6/2013 at 10:05am
 Location: Lancaster England
 Outfit: Khyam Igloo & Sprayway Hood River 4
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Thanks all, that's really helpful.

Couldn't agree more Tentz - my driving style is somewhat pedestrian these days anyway and I intend to make this car last a few years 17



06/6/2013 at 1:13pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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Its not about using all the power to get to the top 1st.

Its the difference between getting 31mpg before the remap and 39mpg after the remap.

I know howto look after the DMF and rarely use 6th gear when towing because i get better fuel consumption in 5th and the drop in revs is only about 500rpm.

Extra 500rpm = less DMF wear and better fuel consumption.

If i wanted to trash the clutch and DMF then im sure a full throttle standing start with a caravan will be almost as quick as a standard car.

But i dont fancy splashing out £800 to prove that.

My cars only got 160,000 miles on it and its not trashed yet.




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