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Hi,

My first post on here, but this thread is of interested as I'm exploring the possibility of using our 61-plate S-Max 2.2TDCi (200BHP) as a towcar for our first caravan.  Ours is the PowerShift/Automatic gearbox and has the Titanium X Sport pack fitted. 

My research on using it to tow has so far indicated that it should be pretty capable. I believe the noseweight-limit is 90kg, but you need to watch the limit on the removable towbars - I've been looking at Witter and Westfalia and think I'll go for the Westfalia one, purely because the static limit is 90kg, versus the Witter's 80kg - may as well have the ability to use the full 90kg or at least have a further margin? The Titanium X Sport pack apparently needs a fairly significant cut making to the bumper "diffuser" - I'll have to live with that, I think and try to make sure they make a neat-edged job of the cut. 

In terms of towing ability - kerbweight is alledgedly ~1750kg, or certainly will likely be so with the quantity of extras on ours (electric heated/vent seats must add a few kgs, as will the towbar unit itself), so I've looked at caravans with a max MTPLM of 1400-1500kg (working to the 85% recommendations I've read about, that'd be near-as).

As I said, as I don't tow I can't give direct experience, but I can make some observations on ownership and driving solo.  The 2.2 is strong - pre-family, we had a Mini Cooper S, so I wanted as much "go" as possible - this doesn't have the "snap" of the smaller car, but it's impressive how quickly it shifts for such a big car.  There is some turbo-lag off the line, likely not helped by having the auto 'box, though you quickly learn to drive around it and once on the go, it's not noticeable.  I am told that this is also a pretty standard feature of turbo-diesels and as a diesel-and-auto-neewbie, maybe that's why I'm noticing it.

The Powershift gearbox is smooth and whilst it can occassionally be caught out, is generally good at selecting the right gear.  You can override with the semi-auto "Sport" mode, so that's handy if you're planning an overtake and want it in the right gear, or even want to hold a particular gear on a twisty road.

Economy is ok - solo, we can get ~42-44mpg on a motorway run if we stick to 70-75mph, it'd be closer to 40 if we were to want to cruise at 80-85mph (not that we would, of course!).  Around town it's maybe high-20s to low-30s mpg, but that's to be expected on such a big car in stop-start conditions.

Refinement - generally good.  You get a bit more wind-noise than you'd get in a Mondeo, perhaps, on account of the bigger body (my brother has a matching-spec Mondeo), but it's not intrusive and the space makes long-journeys feel very managebale and comfortable.  Ride is firm-ish on 18" Sport alloys, but not jarring. The great thing is that, for a tall car, it handles quite tidily and controls roll well when in the bends, if you like to occassionally get a bit spirited!

Usability - it's strong point!  The interior is SO versatile!  Seats in the boot (3rd-row) are ok for adults with good mobility for shorter journeys (my 60+ father-in-law sat in them for a 1hr trip without complaint) - kids would be fine in them on longer trips.  Boot is huge and well-shaped with the rearmost seats folded - practically a van with the middle-row down (flat).  Contrary to the previous poster, we've found the middle-row seats very comfortable as they can be reclined and adjusted fore-aft to get a comfy position. 3 genuine adult-sized seats too, so car-seats only take up one seat, leaving plenty of space for adult passengers either side.  ISOFIX and Top-Anchor Points on all 3 middle-seats on our Tit-X Sport, if that's important to you.

Towing thoughts - agree that the lack of spare could be an issue.  However, the boot is so big, that I plan to buy a full-size spare and stash in the boot for towing.  The Powershift gearbox has pretty close-ratio gearing on gears 1-3, which I THINK would likely help with getting things rolling nicely and coping with steeper hills? Using www.whattowcar.com, it seems that torque/power etc will not be a problem for towing on an outfit with a ~1500kg caravan.  As I said, it pulls strongly, even 7-up with a bit of luggage onboard, so I'd expect a good performance with a caravan on the back.

Finally reliability.  We've owned ours from new (pre-reg) and now done ~12+k miles.  No problems so far, but I obviously can't speak for the longer term or an individual car.

Any help?  I'd be keen to hear if you go for one, what towbar you fit and how it tows!

Neil

Hi Again,

I think you'll be fine on performance with the 2.2 - certainly not worth the fuel bills for the 2.0 240bhp petrol, I felt and likely a better spread of urge for towing with the diesel.

Yep - it's 90kg max noseweight on all S-Max models: http://www.config.ford.co.uk/fordconnection/multimedia/gbr_en/006/yyf/gbr_en006yyfmodelspc.htm

(if that doesn't work go to the Ford.co.uk website - figures available under cars>SMax etc.)

Also states max braked weight is 1800kg, so a 1500kg 'van should be well-within it's capabilities.

What Adria do you have? I ask as I'm looking at Adrias as part of my (extensive!) research.  In principal I like the idea of an Adria (heard many good things about "robustness" and like the idea of the tougher sidewalls/roof).  My parents had an Adria when I was younger - an Optima 440B, if I recall correctly!  Thay had very positive experiences with that.

Love the look of the new Adoras, but they will likely be too heavy.  Wife definitely wants a fixed-bed, so we'll perhaps look at the 432PX/Tay (ideal size/weight to start out with) or the Trent (island-bed).  Otherwise, it's the Elddis Avante / Bailey GT65 / Swift Challenger Sport trinity under consideration - the ATC/iDC systems on those appeal as a novice tow-er.

One tip re: S-Max - the Titanium X Sport is lovely - panoramic roof is wonderful etc.  BUT - ground clearance is reduced with the (lower-but-firmer) Sport suspension - I knocked a trim-clip off on my parents (admittedly steep) driveway - and that lovely glass roof restricts roof-bar options to the Ford-equipment ones only (which are fine, but a touch noisier than wingbars etc).  Might be something to think about if you choose to put bikes on the roof instead?  (Though you'll need step-ladders to do so!) Perhaps consider the standard Titanium with a couple of options?

Oh and the reversing camera, if you can stretch to it, is an absolute blessing - parking is a doddle (as would be hitching-up.....! :0) ) #1 option, for sure....

Neil

Quote: Originally posted by sgolly on 02/9/2013

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buy a set of bike racks for the car and stick them on the roof

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Quote: Originally posted by Smax22TS on 02/9/2013

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Hi Again,

I think you'll be fine on performance with the 2.2 - certainly not worth the fuel bills for the 2.0 240bhp petrol, I felt and likely a better spread of urge for towing with the diesel.

Yep - it's 90kg max noseweight on all S-Max models: http://www.config.ford.co.uk/fordconnection/multimedia/gbr_en/006/yyf/gbr_en006yyfmodelspc.htm

(if that doesn't work go to the Ford.co.uk website - figures available under cars>SMax etc.)

Also states max braked weight is 1800kg, so a 1500kg 'van should be well-within it's capabilities.

What Adria do you have? I ask as I'm looking at Adrias as part of my (extensive!) research.  In principal I like the idea of an Adria (heard many good things about "robustness" and like the idea of the tougher sidewalls/roof).  My parents had an Adria when I was younger - an Optima 440B, if I recall correctly!  Thay had very positive experiences with that.

Love the look of the new Adoras, but they will likely be too heavy.  Wife definitely wants a fixed-bed, so we'll perhaps look at the 432PX/Tay (ideal size/weight to start out with) or the Trent (island-bed).  Otherwise, it's the Elddis Avante / Bailey GT65 / Swift Challenger Sport trinity under consideration - the ATC/iDC systems on those appeal as a novice tow-er.

One tip re: S-Max - the Titanium X Sport is lovely - panoramic roof is wonderful etc.  BUT - ground clearance is reduced with the (lower-but-firmer) Sport suspension - I knocked a trim-clip off on my parents (admittedly steep) driveway - and that lovely glass roof restricts roof-bar options to the Ford-equipment ones only (which are fine, but a touch noisier than wingbars etc).  Might be something to think about if you choose to put bikes on the roof instead?  (Though you'll need step-ladders to do so!) Perhaps consider the standard Titanium with a couple of options?

Oh and the reversing camera, if you can stretch to it, is an absolute blessing - parking is a doddle (as would be hitching-up.....! :0) ) #1 option, for sure....

Neil

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Quote: Originally posted by Smax22TS on 02/9/2013

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Hi,

My first post on here, but this thread is of interested as I'm exploring the possibility of using our 61-plate S-Max 2.2TDCi (200BHP) as a towcar for our first caravan.  Ours is the PowerShift/Automatic gearbox and has the Titanium X Sport pack fitted. 

My research on using it to tow has so far indicated that it should be pretty capable. I believe the noseweight-limit is 90kg, but you need to watch the limit on the removable towbars - I've been looking at Witter and Westfalia and think I'll go for the Westfalia one, purely because the static limit is 90kg, versus the Witter's 80kg - may as well have the ability to use the full 90kg or at least have a further margin? The Titanium X Sport pack apparently needs a fairly significant cut making to the bumper "diffuser" - I'll have to live with that, I think and try to make sure they make a neat-edged job of the cut. 

In terms of towing ability - kerbweight is alledgedly ~1750kg, or certainly will likely be so with the quantity of extras on ours (electric heated/vent seats must add a few kgs, as will the towbar unit itself), so I've looked at caravans with a max MTPLM of 1400-1500kg (working to the 85% recommendations I've read about, that'd be near-as).

As I said, as I don't tow I can't give direct experience, but I can make some observations on ownership and driving solo.  The 2.2 is strong - pre-family, we had a Mini Cooper S, so I wanted as much "go" as possible - this doesn't have the "snap" of the smaller car, but it's impressive how quickly it shifts for such a big car.  There is some turbo-lag off the line, likely not helped by having the auto 'box, though you quickly learn to drive around it and once on the go, it's not noticeable.  I am told that this is also a pretty standard feature of turbo-diesels and as a diesel-and-auto-neewbie, maybe that's why I'm noticing it.

The Powershift gearbox is smooth and whilst it can occassionally be caught out, is generally good at selecting the right gear.  You can override with the semi-auto "Sport" mode, so that's handy if you're planning an overtake and want it in the right gear, or even want to hold a particular gear on a twisty road.

Economy is ok - solo, we can get ~42-44mpg on a motorway run if we stick to 70-75mph, it'd be closer to 40 if we were to want to cruise at 80-85mph (not that we would, of course!).  Around town it's maybe high-20s to low-30s mpg, but that's to be expected on such a big car in stop-start conditions.

Refinement - generally good.  You get a bit more wind-noise than you'd get in a Mondeo, perhaps, on account of the bigger body (my brother has a matching-spec Mondeo), but it's not intrusive and the space makes long-journeys feel very managebale and comfortable.  Ride is firm-ish on 18" Sport alloys, but not jarring. The great thing is that, for a tall car, it handles quite tidily and controls roll well when in the bends, if you like to occassionally get a bit spirited!

Usability - it's strong point!  The interior is SO versatile!  Seats in the boot (3rd-row) are ok for adults with good mobility for shorter journeys (my 60+ father-in-law sat in them for a 1hr trip without complaint) - kids would be fine in them on longer trips.  Boot is huge and well-shaped with the rearmost seats folded - practically a van with the middle-row down (flat).  Contrary to the previous poster, we've found the middle-row seats very comfortable as they can be reclined and adjusted fore-aft to get a comfy position. 3 genuine adult-sized seats too, so car-seats only take up one seat, leaving plenty of space for adult passengers either side.  ISOFIX and Top-Anchor Points on all 3 middle-seats on our Tit-X Sport, if that's important to you.

Towing thoughts - agree that the lack of spare could be an issue.  However, the boot is so big, that I plan to buy a full-size spare and stash in the boot for towing.  The Powershift gearbox has pretty close-ratio gearing on gears 1-3, which I THINK would likely help with getting things rolling nicely and coping with steeper hills? Using www.whattowcar.com, it seems that torque/power etc will not be a problem for towing on an outfit with a ~1500kg caravan.  As I said, it pulls strongly, even 7-up with a bit of luggage onboard, so I'd expect a good performance with a caravan on the back.

Finally reliability.  We've owned ours from new (pre-reg) and now done ~12+k miles.  No problems so far, but I obviously can't speak for the longer term or an individual car.

Any help?  I'd be keen to hear if you go for one, what towbar you fit and how it tows!

Neil

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