can i tow new van

[gcds50]

i have a (2004)2.0 ltr tdci mondeo hatchback 130 ps.

i presently tow a relativly small van but would like to upgrade to a bailey senator indiana (mtplm 1500kg)2006 fixed bed.

would this combination be o.k. as a match, or am i expecting to much from my ford ?

 

[anita marsden]

Without going technical on you, I'd say you're asking to much. It will pull it (engine wise) and also weight wise BUT ONLY IF you intend to put practically nothing in your van. Example - we had a Rialto 640/6 more or less size to Bailey Senator and an Audi A6 (bigger bhp and heavier than Mondeo)and after one journey out we changed backed to a Landrover for towing. Oh and love the van you're thinking of buying......we're considering this also.

 

[mcghee]

im not sure of the exact weights for the indiana but id guess at around 1200kgs empty,so even with frugal loading itl probably tip 1300kg.that will give you a noseweight of about 90kg.i dont know the noseweight limit of the mondeo,again id guess around 75kg.i always work out towing limits from noseweight since this is the load that actually acts the car.if my guesses are roughly right you could have a few nervous moments with this combination.ideally for that van id have a car with a noseweight of 100kg,which is almost entirely 4x4 territory.i used to tow a 1500kg swift with a saab which was heavier than the mondeo(1670kg)and had a noseweight limit of 90kg,and the van still used to push the rear of the car around on winding roads.

 

[Gary_5039903]

im not sure of the exact weights for the indiana but id guess at around 1200kgs empty,so even with frugal loading itl probably tip 1300kg.that will give you a noseweight of about 90kg.i dont know the noseweight limit of the mondeo,again id guess around 75kg.i always work out towing limits from noseweight since this is the load that actually acts the car.if my guesses are roughly right you could have a few nervous moments with this combination.ideally for that van id have a car with a noseweight of 100kg,which is almost entirely 4x4 territory.i used to tow a 1500kg swift with a saab which was heavier than the mondeo(1670kg)and had a noseweight limit of 90kg,and the van still used to push the rear of the car around on winding roads.

Craig, I tow a Sterling Eccles Jewel (1465kg) with a Mondeo TDCi estate (1560kg) and the car is fine. The Mondeo has a very high max. tow (1800kg). With any high sided trailer (caravans, box trailers etc) you are wise to try to keep the max weight of the trailer below the kerbweight of the tow car to help regain control should any instablility occur (this is actually the legal limit if you passec your test after Jan 97). Providing you load the caravan sensibly (ie. heavy items in the middle and low down) you should be okay. One point is that I suffer a lot of wheel spin pulling away from junctions so traction control would be a benefit on Mondeos.

 

[Royston]

geoff,

Look under Buyers guide Caravan , refernce new Pageant Burgandy, this is based upon the Senator Indiana layout mtplm of 1400 kg.

Royston

 

[DavidW1]

Geoff'

I'd go with the don't try it group here - unless you live and tow in Holland or the Lincolnshire Fens. You will be at or near 100% even with a restricted pay load and up to GTW if you shove it all in the car and have "family and stuff"

Field sites, hillstarts and hilly road stretches could be anything from a nuisance to dangerous scary!

 

[Lutz]

I'd be less worried about hill starts, after all the 2.0 TDCi Mondeo is approved to tow 1800kg up 12% gradients. For me it's more a question of being able to handle the outfit safely at speed.

 

[gcds50]

Many Thanks for all your replies to my question !

All a bit gloomy though )-: ...... Guess I had better think again

 

[mcghee]

im not sure of the exact weights for the indiana but id guess at around 1200kgs empty,so even with frugal loading itl probably tip 1300kg.that will give you a noseweight of about 90kg.i dont know the noseweight limit of the mondeo,again id guess around 75kg.i always work out towing limits from noseweight since this is the load that actually acts the car.if my guesses are roughly right you could have a few nervous moments with this combination.ideally for that van id have a car with a noseweight of 100kg,which is almost entirely 4x4 territory.i used to tow a 1500kg swift with a saab which was heavier than the mondeo(1670kg)and had a noseweight limit of 90kg,and the van still used to push the rear of the car around on winding roads.

your wheelspin is almost certainly due to the noseweight being too high.your 1800kg max tow is only a drivetrain rating as im sure you know.im not saying the mondeo wont pull your van,it definitely will,but that doesnt change the fact that it loads the rear of the car too much.maybe not enough to make it unsafe,but not ideal.

 

[RichardH]

looking at http://www.whattowcar.com they dont list the van you name but checking other baileys you are liable to be at 100% if you underload the van and over if you take the van to the max. May be worth checking if you are happy with the 100% match because the site says they are a great match apart from the weight being high on the van