My friend has a 2002 ford focus 1.6 petrol and is interested in my old caravan but is unsure if it will pull it, does anybody have any experience or advice on this matter. My old van is ABI Award Globestar 1993 and the paperwork says max weight 1250kg. But as I understand it that is not the actual weight, and I canot find it on websites that advise on towing, it simply is not listed.
PS: I have noticed that some peoples practical advice differs than what the actual manuals say, and that is probably more valuable!!
the 98 - 04 1.6 petrol ford focuses generally have a kerb weights between 1050 - 1200 kgs depending on the model.... they all seem to have a max tow capacity of 1200 kgs.
so although your friend will be able to tow the van legally (if he is v.carefull with payload) it would be unadvisable due to the weights/limits being so close.
Assuming your friend is new to towing he would be better with a heavier tow car to try to achieve a 85% ish match.
Quote: Originally posted by leegilbert on 14/2/2009
the 98 - 04 1.6 petrol ford focuses generally have a kerb weights between 1050 - 1200 kgs depending on the model.... they all seem to have a max tow capacity of 1200 kgs.
so although your friend will be able to tow the van legally (if he is v.carefull with payload) it would be unadvisable due to the weights/limits being so close.
Assuming your friend is new to towing he would be better with a heavier tow car to try to achieve a 85% ish match.
Sorry!!!
If the max weight if the van is 1250 Kgs and the kerbweight of the car only 1050 - 1200 Kgs as stated, it won't be legal if the driver only has a Category B licence - i.e. if he only has a car licence and passed his test after 1/1/97.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
I towed with a 1.8i focus estate and it was fine until we hit a steep incline then it was slow. In the wet, wheel spin was common and that was with a van lighter than you are suggesting.
Hi ,i tow a Dandy Dart with a 2005 reg focus 1.6 petrol zetec hatch (115bhp) and although it manages ok with the Dandy, i would not want to go any heavier than this.The car feels brisk on its own but just does'nt have the torgue for towing like a diesel does.I get between 27 and 35 mpg on motorways at around 60mph but even slight inclines kill the speed off quite quickly.
Just my personal experience ,hope it helps.
I have towed with a 1.8 Focus for the last 3 years. Never had a problem, and we have been France too. More use of the gears for hills, but tows well. Third gear is brilliantly pitched to tackle even the Telegraph hill into Devon.
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Topic: Ford focus towing question
