Ford escort towing help please

[rogcov]

Hi All.

I am totaly new to caraving and am looking to start next summer , I have a 1997 ford escort estate 1600 petrol and am looking to buy a cheap caravan off ebay , i only want a 2 berth van , i have looked at a alpine sprite xl will i be able to tow this ok ,

Many thanks

Rog

 

[dougie201]

Hi

You will need to find out the kerbweight of the escort to safely match it against the caravan. And also the manufacturer towing limit for your model.
Also i would be a bit wary of buying off ebay , mostly for damp and any hidden problems . Is there not a dealer near you selling cheap 2 berth vans at least with them you would get a damp report and van would be checked over before you collected .
But anyway its a great life and hope you enjoy when you do get your first caravan.

Dougie...

 

[rogcov]

Hi .Again.
Thank you for reply, my escort has a kerb wieght of 1175kgand the caravan i looked at says 850 kg on the plate if that helps

Many thanks again

Rog

 

[Lutz]

If the 850kg is the allowable laden weight and not the ex-works weight, you should be alright, at least as far as legality goes. The data that I have quotes a maximum permissible towload of the Escort of 1100kg, so an 850kg caravan would be well within the legal limit and from the figures that you quote, the weight ratio is 72%, also well below any recommendation. Whether the performance of a 1600cc Escort is still acceptable when towing is something that you will have to decide for yourself. That is simply a matter of personal preference.

 

[Royston]

In my early days of towing , I had a ford escourt estate 1.6 unleaded,The van was a ABI dalesman 2 berth around 1000 kg fully loaded.
It complied with all the safety reg but when driving against head winds progress was slow, soon cahanged to a diesel, had far more pulling power..

 

[forestgump]

i would say you will strugle even if the wieght is ok (?) the lack of grunt from a derv will be a problem hills ect and a poor fuel return.

 

[kescorts8745]

Moderator Note;
Post Removed and user banned.
Inappropriate advertising of dubious nature.

(I dont know what the poster thought a "Ford escort" was, but not what he was advertising.

 

[Raywood]

We have had a couple of 1600 Escorts as tow cars in our time. They are very stable due to rear wheels at the very rear. Never had any great problem with a lack of power although they are no ball of fire.