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   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Ford Focus Post Reply Post New Topic
Personjohartefc
via mobile 31/1/2019 at 6:20pm
 Location: Liverpool
 Outfit: Pennine Pullman View johartefc's Profile View Profile   Reply to johartefc Reply   Quote johartefc Quote  
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I have a 2011 Ford Focus 1.6l tdci and it’s great at towing our Pennine Pullman. However we’re going to sell it and get a caravan, not even started looking yet but would need to be at least 4 berth (single axel)
Would my Focus be ok at towing this or would people recommend anything more suitable?

TIA

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Pennine Pullman owner since 2014


Personmarg6
31/1/2019 at 7:43pm
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you would be looking at a caravan of loaded weight being a max of 1200kgs, I would advise to change the car as I know with my daughters its great of load space etc etc but once you fill it to the max its totally gutless, put a square box on the back and it would be quicker walking!


Personnavver
31/1/2019 at 7:48pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
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Work out 85% of your cars kerb weight. The MTPLM of a caravan should ideally be no more than this if possible. Going heavier will make it a less stable tow. MTPLM must not exceed the kerb weight of the car.

Look at the max braked trailer towing capacity. The MTPLM of your caravan must not exceed this.

From a practical viewpoint, the Pullman is quite a heavy lump but it is easy to tow because it has a very low frontal area when towing. A caravan has a huge frontal area and the wind resistance at 60mph will slow it down much more than with your Pullman. The engine will have to work a lot harder and fuel consumption will suffer.

With the Pullman your fuel consumption may increase by 15 to 20% but with the caravan it will nearly double. That illustrates how much harder the engine will have to work.

This won't be a problem for relatively short journeys but really long journey of a few hundred miles will be much more stressful on you as a driver.


PersonGrampian91
31/1/2019 at 8:31pm
 Location: Midlands
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The Max tow of the Focus is below the kerbweight though.

85% Comes out at around 1130kg with a max if 1200kg. The 115bhp model wont be too bad with a 1100kg caravan but the 90bhp model could be a real chore.


Personjohartefc
via mobile 31/1/2019 at 8:42pm
 Location: Liverpool
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That’s great info everyone thanks. I think I’ll probably look into a new car. Any recommendations for make/ model? I don’t really do that many miles commuting etc (usually about 8000 miles a year ) and do prefer a diesel

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Pennine Pullman owner since 2014


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Persontango55
31/1/2019 at 10:29pm
 Location: Lichfield
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I once towed a 2 berth caravan (1300 kgs.) with a MK 3 Focus 1.6 tdi and was okay on the flat but when climbing inclines on the motorway it required some serious gear changing. However, it wasn't till we went to Wales and went through a 30 mph. zone which dips then a long hill upwards I was changing down the gears till I eventually got into first gear and just about made it to the top. If you intend towing a 4 berth caravan you will definitely need a vehicle with better towing capabilities.





Post last edited on 31/01/2019 23:57:35


Personjim oldham
via mobile 01/2/2019 at 8:54am
 Location: Wigan
 Outfit: VWSharan. Sport 442. View jim oldham's Profile View Profile   Reply to jim oldham Reply   Quote jim oldham Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by johartefc on 31/1/2019
That’s great info everyone thanks. I think I’ll probably look into a new car. Any recommendations for make/ model? I don’t really do that many miles commuting etc (usually about 8000 miles a year ) and do prefer a diesel


Looks as though you've been happy with Ford, so what about a Mondeo diesel ? Seems to be quite a popular tow car.


VangoMan02
01/2/2019 at 10:23am
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I own a Ford Focus 1.6tdci 115bhp and have towed our present van with it for 6 years.
My log book states the car is 1435kg mass in service and technical permissable max towing as 1300kg braked.

Our caravan is a two berth and sits around 1100kg when loaded for going away, also includes the weight of the motor mover.I would say all our kit weighs around 200kg.
I have on a rare occassion had it up to 1200kg without any issues.
I have over 40 years carvanning experience and have to say its not the biggest car/caravan combi I have owned but it is certainly the most stable.

I have never had an issue with getting up any hills in and around Scotland's countryside. I dare say experience and towing the right weight has something to do with that.

The OP's problem with the Focus as a suitable towcar will be finding a suitable caravan for 4 people and all the equipment etc.
I would agree that a larger towcar for the OP is a good idea especially for a 4 berth caravan.

If its for a couple with a lightweight caravan I would say its a great little tow car.
I would also recommend the Ford Mondeo as I have owned a few over the years for towing larger vans.

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


Personrichardandjo2010
03/2/2019 at 5:05pm
 Location: essex
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 View richardandjo2010's Profile View Profile   Reply to richardandjo2010 Reply   Quote richardandjo2010 Quote  
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I have responded to several other posts similar to this, we have Alfa Romeo Guilietta 1.6 diesel, it only has 105bhp but does benefit from 320nm of torque which matches most 2.0 ltr diesel engines. Our van is 4 berth fixed bed Bailey Ranger 460/4 max weight 1184kg. We have never had any stability problems the car pulls well maintaining 60mph on a motorway rarely needing to change from 6th gear. We take it to Wales and never had a problem with any hills, that said I would not go up a steep hill if there was another way round it, just for the fact that big hills don't do your car any good especially with a caravan in tow. I have also towed the van on boggy sites and sited it without any slipping of the wheels but noticed many others with much larger vehicles having some issue.

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its our imperfections that makes us perfect



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