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Topic: Towing advice

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Scan113

07/7/2014 at 10:43am
Location: Shrewsbury
Outfit: Bailey Scorpio Champagne CD

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Hi there, new to this forum. After a bit of reassurance. Currently we tow our Bailey Scorpio Champagne CD with a 2002 Ford Ranger double cab pickup, however the fuel it uses is scary!!! We have a 2013 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel ecotec would this car be ok to tow our baby at a more efficient pace?

Rob and Tina

07/7/2014 at 11:01am
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Motorhome

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It depends on the weight of the caravan and the tow limit of the car.We have a Focus brochure for last year which states that some of the 1.6 diesel versions can only tow 300kg so you need to check the V5 or the weight plate on the car or tell us the model details so that we can give better advice. In the event of an accident the authorities will use the plated weights so it's important to check them rather than rely on our advice.

We use a 2013 Focus 1.6 diesel estate which has a max tow of 1200kg so it may be possible to tow your caravan depending on the MTPLM and your particular vehicle.

Rob

tango55

07/7/2014 at 12:05pm
Location: Lichfield
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There are two versions of the Focus 1.6 estate diesel actually, one with 89 bhp which will tow a max. of 1200 kgs. and another which is 109 bhp that will tow a max. of 1300 kgs. It was the opposite way round in the Ford brochure which I thought was wrong so I asked the Ford dealer to confirm by Ford UK if the details were incorrect. The salesman received an e-mail which I seen for myself from Ford UK confirming that the brochure details should be the opposite way round so the above details are correct. However, I would check with a Ford Main dealer whether the ecotec version can tow a trailer or not as one version wasn't designed for towing which could well be the ecotec.

Post last edited on 07/07/2014 16:00:19

Scan113

07/7/2014 at 12:21pm
Location: Shrewsbury
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Hi thanks for the advice it's a 1.6 ecotec diesel Zetec checked towing weight on vin plate it's 1200kg. Caravan is 1059kg so I take it this is legal.

Rob and Tina

07/7/2014 at 12:27pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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Yes, the brochures are often wrong. Ours is the 115ps version with a max tow of 1200kg and that's the weight on the plate, this is a car delivered in December last year. The brochure from the end of last year list 3 1.6 diesel estates with the 2 lower powered versions having a max tow of 300kg. It just shows how often the models (and brochures change) so it's so important to check the individual car and not trust the well intentioned advice on the forum.

Rob

Bridgelayer

07/7/2014 at 12:31pm
Location: West Yorks
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Only if that's the total laden weight (MTPLM). Your best bet would be to take it to a weighbridge when it's ready for the road.

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Scan113

07/7/2014 at 12:56pm
Location: Shrewsbury
Outfit: Bailey Scorpio Champagne CD

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Ok thanks again we took delivery of Focus last July. Just spoke to Ford Dealership they're saying it will be fine. As the salesman that sold is the car tows a Bailey Ranger 4 berth with his, which apparently is heavier than our old girl. Thanks again for the quick helpful response. Think I'm going to like this forum. ;)

fredted

07/7/2014 at 7:39pm
Location: None Entered
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Have a look on here... http://www.towcar.info/index.php

Grampian91

08/7/2014 at 12:08am
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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The problem is the dealership wont be responsible if you get it wrong.

How old if the caravan? Are you sure 1059kg is the max laden weight?

Figures i have for the 1992/1993 models put it around 1200kg.

Scan113

08/7/2014 at 4:30am
Location: Shrewsbury
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Hi Grampian you're right I've done my homework. You're absolutely right the vans weight is 1196kg the car's let weight is 1318kg. Is this ok?

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