Has anyone had experience towing a caravan with this automatic version? the towing capacity is just 500kg which seems very low. This would limit us to one of those tiny "Bed Bugs" or "Little Guy" caravans (which we would not immediately rule out)
We were considering using a caravan of around 750kg and running with minimal equipment (no awning for example). We only ever have 2 adults aboard.
Hi if your Ford can only tow 500kg you would be wise not to exceed the legal tow limit just in case of any mishaps not only that if your Ford is still within its warranty period it could be invalidated
maybe the auto transmission is only rated to 500kg
If the handbook gives a towing limit of 500kg then thats all you can tow, over that & your insurance will be void. I would guess the tiny 'bed bug' you refer to is an Eriba Puck, your best bet imho not just for weight but for build quailty, lack of depreciation & all round cuteness! even 80s/early 90s Pucks are usually in good dry condition. All Pucks, even new ones are under 500kg unladen. Always some on Ebay put Eriba into search.
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
No, a bed bug or liitle guy teardrop is smaller than a Puck. Even the Freedom Microlites are app. 600 Kgs unladen and I would be surprised if any Eriba is as light as 500 Kgs.
If the maximum you can tow is 500 Kgs then I think you are limited to a teardrop, or something like an old Combi Camp. (The new ones are too heavy.)
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Thanks for the useful comments. I agree with Neil and Lena that the limitation is probably due to the electric clutch (auto). The none auto can tow 750kg. Will google the Eriba puck , I hadn't come across them but it looks like a tear drop type is the max. We much prefer our motorhome currently, but just investigating alternatives in case of future fuel cost escalation. Our Fusion runs on LPG and is very very frugal. We towed in the past (from age of 17) until mid eighties but have lost track since "motorhoming" ! I loved our old Sprite Musketeer! We bathed the baby in the sink!
Marty, a big thanks! The Eriba puck does have version below 500kg which is astonishing! The latest ones are 535kg. the wife likes the cute look ane we could always put up with a lower spec if needs must! Cheers. I learn something every day!
on a different subject i see in your profile you have trigano tribute is it the 550 or 650 model and have you had any problems with it , i am currently looking into changing from a caravan to a motorhome and like the look of the trigano also what sort of mpg do you get .
Neil and Lena, we have a 2003 Trigano Fiat Ducato 2.3 not the latest model 550 or 650. (sorry for delay, only just seen this posting). We have covered over 10,000 miles with it. We have towed and motorhomed before. We have been very pleased with our choice. It has been very reliable indeed. We had a minor leak from one roof light which I removed and resealed but nothing else. It performs very well, no problem cruising at 70 mph (but never do. I am in no rush). Also great for sliproad acceleration and joining fast traffic. We drive at around 55 mph using sat nav for accurate speedo as the van reads fast. On our last trip to Cornwall the 350 mile motorway/ dual carriageway trip averaged , wait for it.......... 37.5 mpg. which is very pleasing. I do however add between 10 to 20% fresh, new, vegetable oil which enhances the consumption. I do not advise anyone to do this unless they are technically happy themselves. This added vege oil definately improves performance and if you do not go berserk then it improves our fuel consumption from about 35 mpg. Not sure what we average overall though. We travel fully loaded with 100 litres water and full fuel tank at start. The newer 550 and 650, although very nice, have much higher seat height than our model. This is due to thicker, more comfy seat cushions but our short legs cannot cope! We use additional mattress cover for better comfort. If we changed now, we would look carefully at the Autosleeper Warwick. I am concerned though, about the reports of reverse gear/clutch problems when reversing in the new "sevel" vans. see MMM this month and previous.
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Topic: Ford Fusion 1.4 Durashift
