Hi we towed a van with a 1300kgs MPTLM with 2.0 tdci focus estate, 2006 model year and it pulled like a dream, we have changed to a volvo v70 2.0 d with the sample engine and approx 250kgs heavier, and wish we had stuck with the focus, much beteer toe car IMHO.
however about to change again in spet 12 and may again go for the focus III 2.0 d estate.
Thank you to everyone for your comments and I will take onboar all that has been said. I'd looked at what towcar dot com prior to buying the ford focus and all seemed fairly happy with theirs?
I will be very cautious and if, on our first trip away, it doesn't feel right, I may change the car, the caravan, or both to something more suitable. Happy caravanning to you all.
Hi chrisnpaula take you car to a weigh bridge and weigh it you may find the margin might be more than people on here have stated, i did this last year with my Mondeo the brochure kerbweight was showing 1557kg including 75kg driver and 90% fuel.
The actual weight of my car on the bridge was 1630 empty with 90% fuel add the 75kg driver takes it to over 1700kg almost 150kgs more than the brochure,
A mate of mine did the same with his c max and got a higher figure again.
The higher the car spec the heavier it gets. brochure weights are the basic car
My Problem is that i have a land rover discovery 300 tdi which i only have for the caravan holidays and i must say its A + But i only ever use it for just this.
my problem is i need to start cutting back on money so I’m thinking of selling the landrover which will save me the running cost’s tax mot insurance etc.
So I went to my local ford dealer and seen a ford focus 1.6 136bhp and has a 1220 kg towing weight I have just checked the tag on the caravan and its 1209 k9 and 1430kg max.
So judging by this thread the car I was looking at and keen on would be no good for me?
I used to tow a Bailey Senator Vermont of a similar weight to your van with a 1.8 diesel Focus Estate.I had no problems at all.Whilst I wouldn't have gone to the North of Scotland, it took us some miles in safty and kept up with the traffic.The 2.0 will obviously be a better tow car. I swapped the Focus for a 2.0 Passat, which was in a different league all together, you should be fine with the Focus, just load sensibly.
------------- It's not what you take when you leave this world behind, it's what you leave behind when you're gone
While I agree that a car to van ratio of 85% would be preferable,the OP unfortunately has a already bought the car & the caravan what I WOULD suggest is that he pays much attention to the art of loading the van & getting as near to the cars allowed nose weight without exceeding it,+ putting as much as of the heavy stuff as possible in the car.
Proper loading of the caravan is much more important than the 85% formula
Was having a read of "Practical Caravan" magazine whilst in Tesco today, being a tight wadd, I won't pay £4.10 for what is essentialy a mag of adverts.
Anyway, there was an article re the 85% rule, and it was saying that the rule was born a good few years ago, and since then modern cars have evolved to cope with not such a strict rule.
In fact the article said that it is time to moove the rule to 90% and that certain groups were making noises to this effect.
In fact I was at a caravan display just yesterday, and the Bailey Orion 430-4 that I was looking at, had an A4 poster from Bailey, promoting what cars are suitable.
Even my VW Golf Mk6 TDi 1.6 (105BHP) was featured as being OK at a 91% no mention that I noticed that this was for experience caravaner's.
I have never towed a caravan, yet the sales chap, said I would be fine, and I am sure I would be.
Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 26/4/20121430 would be too much for a focus.Personally i wouldnt pull it with a mondeo sized car either.
Something with a kerbweight of 1700kg+ and 160bhp+
But thats me.
I sorted the problem out today i brought a ford kuga Titanium so it looks like the Discovery will be on ebay next week :( Shame as its been great .
On the test drive today it seems to have plenty of grunt for a 2l diesel .
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Can it tow? Ford Focus 2.0 (136) Diesel
