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Subject Topic: Ford focus auto Post Reply Post New Topic
Personbblondemoment
26/6/2014 at 6:18pm
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Hi all, COMPLETE beginner here, looking to pick brains if possible.

After years of trying to persuade hubby about a little caravan he's finally warming to the idea but he dropped the bombshell that he doesn't think our car will be powerful enough to tow.
He who holds the purse strings has said to start cheap to see if we like it , we only need a two berth. After looking online I'm totally confused because every caravan I've seen the computer says no and that it's too heavy to tow.
My car is 59 reg 1.6 zetec ford focus auto and the lightest caravan I've found so far is a 2 berth 2001 compass omega in laden weight of 995 but , if I'm entering details is still too heavy to tow, is that correct?
Can anyone help work out the max weight (if any) before I show hubby the possible candidates?
Muchhhhh appreciated
Jo


PersonGrampian91
26/6/2014 at 9:26pm
 Location: Midlands
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The AUTO has a very low max towing weight of 800kg.

The caravan should be a max weight of 800kg.

Beware sellers that give you the unladen weight or the mass in running order which is not the figure you need.

Its the gross laden weight.

Just because its a 2 berth doesnt make it any lighter than a 4 or 5 berth.


PersonRob and Tina
26/6/2014 at 9:29pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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Have a look at the weight plate inside the drivers door, that will give the weight that the police would use if there was a problem. The max tow weight might also be shown on the V5 document.

Is this a 1.6 petrol or diesel? Hatchback or estate?

Rob


Personbblondemoment
26/6/2014 at 11:44pm
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Hi, thanks for the replies so far, my car is petrol hatchback.
Just looked on v5 and it says the following
Max permissible mass 1835
Mass in service 1286
Braked (kg) 800
In braked 640.

I thought (wrongly) after reading that I could tow 85% of the 1286.
Does that mean the end of my little dream until we change the car in a couple of years?

Thanks
Jo x


PersonGrampian91
27/6/2014 at 1:14am
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Its the auto box thats the issue. They are not a great item.

The manual cars can tow 1200kg. Although with 98bhp you maybe changing gear a LOT.


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Personalbee
27/6/2014 at 11:00am
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Hi, try looking for caravans such as eriba, freedom, rapido , etc. there are lightweights out there. mid 1980,s and early 1990,s vans tended to be lighter. we had a 1990 ace marauder 4 berth that was only 690kg unladen some years back. We saw one on a site last month so they,re still around. a rapido caravan with a weight of 695kg currently advertised on preloved web site


Personbblondemoment
27/6/2014 at 11:04am
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Thanks Albee, , off to google now haha x


PersonNatalieAbbott
11/9/2014 at 2:36pm
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We've just got rid of a rapido 1985 that was the lighter ones. But we found it rather small for our family to enjoy a holiday. And these are quite pricey. Ours was 2200 pounds. Hope you find one that suits


Personferretlady
11/9/2014 at 5:55pm
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Hi bblondemoment, i too have a focus zetec 1.6 auto. The max you can tow is 800mtplm. We have a Freedom sunseeker. There's only the 2 of us now, so don't need a big caravan. We have a eurovent awning, which gives us loads of room. We have table and 2 chairs, a tall cupboard, bin and other bits and pieces. Ive just bought a new awning carpet, which matches the awning brilliantly. So you can still caravan! We also have 2 little dogs!

-------------
Enjoy life while you can, none of us know what's round the corner!


PersonROG.
11/9/2014 at 7:56pm
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800 MTPLM 2 berth caravans are out there
FREEDOM caravans do loads of lightweight 2 berths

-------------
EX Advanced driving observer (IAM)
EX LGV & B+E instructor


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PersonGrampian91
11/9/2014 at 11:46pm
 Location: Midlands
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OLD thread alert...

The OP asked in June..


Personbblondemoment
12/9/2014 at 7:39pm
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And still looking x


PersonMITIE1
12/9/2014 at 8:37pm
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hi i would look at the web on whattow car .com and it will tell you the car and caravan wieght and it will give you the perfect match hope you get on alright when you get your van you will love it cheers .tom 


Personbblondemoment
12/9/2014 at 10:02pm
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I honestly can't wait, started getting little bits n bobs but no van to put them in yet!! But grateful for all the ideas so far x


Personbillyboggins
12/9/2014 at 10:23pm
 Location: norfolk
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look at good quality trailer tents such as Dandy etc ,they come with mod cons these days AND are easy to tow ..wish i still had one

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billyboggins



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