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Subject Topic: How much can i tow?
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Personbarrington
04/9/2012 at 1:27pm
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hi

been pulling a trailer with my tent etc in for a while now but thinking of getting a caravan, just wondered how to find out what size/weight my ford focus 1.6 07 plate would be legal to tow please? 


PersonFuseman
04/9/2012 at 2:06pm
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This is an hard one to answer as it depends on which model of Focus you have, may I sugest you have a look at this link http://www.towcar.info/index.php

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Persontango55
05/9/2012 at 10:28am
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Is the Focus a 1.6 petrol or diesel and is it a hatchback or estate. I have the original Ford Focus brochure with all the towing limits etc. so once I know which engine and model it is I can give you some details.


Personmichael
05/9/2012 at 10:50am
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best to buy a caravan with a MTPLM weight (gross weight) at 85% of your cars kerb weight to be safe on tow.

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Persontango55
06/9/2012 at 4:18pm
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I take it that you have found out what you wanted to know as you haven't provided any details from my previous post 2 days ago but it would however be a matter of courtesy just to let the folks know that have responded to your question that you no longer require any further assistance regarding your query.


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Personbarrington
12/9/2012 at 3:47pm
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Sorry been away and not had any internet access, its a 1.6petrol hatchback, thought i would be able to connect while on site but unfortunately not.  ive just been offered a 95 4 berth lunar eclipse

thanks for you reply



Post last edited on 12/09/2012 15:58:26


Personneil and lena
12/9/2012 at 5:12pm
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Your car (Ford Focus 1.6 petrol Hatchback ) has kerbweight of around 1264kg and a max tow limit of 1200kg however to keep within the advisory 85% towing match any caravan would ideally have a max loaded weight of around 1075 kg


Persontango55
12/9/2012 at 5:28pm
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The Ford Focus brochure states that the minimum kerbweight for a 1.6 petrol 3 door hatchback is 1227 kgs. and the 5 door hatchback is 1249 kgs. both with 100 BHP and 110 lbs./ft. of torque. So calculating an 85% match as a general guide would be 1043 kgs. for the 3 door hatchback and 1062 kgs. for the 5 door hatchback.


Personphilip 22
12/9/2012 at 11:27pm
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I  would say that Lunar Eclipse Caravan 1995  might be to much for your car  it 22ft long 4 berth end washroom  you should be looking for something lighter ............


PersonSurfer01
13/9/2012 at 11:33am
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A 1995 Lunar Eclipse has MTPLM of 1195kg which means it is legal to tow the caravan. As you have been pulling a trailer for awhile I would guess that you are an experienced tower.
Although close to the car's kerbweight, once you have passengers in the car plus luggage the 85% GUIDELINE goes out the window as the car will be a lot heavier than the caravan and you will have a caravan that you wanted behind you.
Take it easy for the first couple of times towing until you get used to a large caravan on the back and you should be okay. Perhaps in a year or tow you will trade in the car for something a bit better.
In the meantime enjoy yourself1


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Personbarrington
13/9/2012 at 1:57pm
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Thanks for all your advice, im now able to look in the right direction


Personneil and lena
13/9/2012 at 5:19pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Surfer01 on 13/9/2012A 1995 Lunar Eclipse has MTPLM of 1195kg which means it is legal to tow the caravan. As you have been pulling a trailer for awhile I would guess that you are an experienced tower. Although close to the car's kerbweight, once you have passengers in the car plus luggage the 85% GUIDELINE goes out the window as the car will be a lot heavier than the caravan and you will have a caravan that you wanted behind you.Take it easy for the first couple of times towing until you get used to a large caravan on the back and you should be okay. Perhaps in a year or tow you will trade in the car for something a bit better.
In the meantime enjoy yourself1


A 1.6 (100bhp)Petrol engined Focus will struggle with 1.2 tons behind it especially with extra luggage and passengers .
While it may be legal to tow 1200kg it certainly not a good match .
The to main clubs recommend that you don't tow above 85% of your cars kerbweight if your inexperienced .
Your Focus is to underpowered for much more than 1000-1050kg max and will almost certainly struggle if asked to pull anymore .

Post last edited on 13/09/2012 17:30:44

Post last edited on 13/09/2012 17:32:09


Personcwdc56768
13/9/2012 at 6:25pm
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Never ask how much can you legally tow, but how much can you safely tow. It's all very well loading up a van to the hilt and max of your train weight but its a late on a uphill start to find that your car can't manage to pull away....

Phil



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If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe    


Personneil and lena
13/9/2012 at 6:42pm
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Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 13/9/2012

Never ask how much can you legally tow, but how much can you safely tow. It's all very well loading up a van to the hilt and max of your train weight but its a late on a uphill start to find that your car can't manage to pull away....

Phil






Good Post


PersonSurfer01
14/9/2012 at 8:18am
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If the car is rated to tow up to 1.2 tons then it should have no issue as to be able to tow this weight it needs to be able to start and pull off at least 5 times on a gradient of 12% as stated in the Ford manual or brochure. Ford normally publish two gradients 8% and 12%. So no worries if you feel you are experienced enough. You can safely tow at 120% if you are experienced and use a lot of common sense like loading correctly and keeping your speed within reason. Thousands of horsebox owners cannot all be wrong!


Personcwdc56768
14/9/2012 at 8:28am
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Well that's OK then. Been pulling a trailer with his tent etc in and now wants to pull a caravan. No difference at all. Get as heavy as you can then.

Phil



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If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe    



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