Ford Focus C Max as a Tow car

[Alan_374360291]

Hi

I have a 2002 elddis avante 524 and am looking for a new tow car

dose any one know if a ford focus cmax 2ltr tdci would be ok

Many Thanks

 

[machighlander]

hi alan, no doubt you are in the right place to get some advice, sorry i cant give ye any as i am a newbie. but i have had all the relevant info i need in here.

have a gid ne'erday.

 

[Damian]

Alan, try this site: http://www.whattowcar.com/

It gives a good idea of match, looking at yours there are two variants of your van, and taking the heaviest it comes out at 93% which is not bad, a bit over the magical 85% but not a lot

 

[Alan_374360291]

Hi Damian

Thanks for the advice had a look on this website it looks very good do you know how accurate the info on this site is?

Alan

 

[Lutz]

No website is accurate enough to be relied on 100%. In the end, only official data from your V5c certificate and the car's and caravan's VIN plate can give you definitive information and this should always be used to confirm website results.

 

[Dave_374330759]

Hi Alan

We've been towing a Bailey Pageant Provence (1420kg) around for the last three years with an 2006 2.0Tdci Ghia C-max. I reckon it's about 94% match. The towball load is 75kg and max rated towing capacity is 1500kg. Over that time we must have towed the best part of 5,000 miles, 2000 of which we did this year touring around the highlands of Scotland.

The car pulls like a train and tows impeccably - nice and stable and very little effects from lorrys and white van man. It will easily get up to 70 and beyond although we found that 55-60 gave us better fuel consumption (average about 32 towing)and there is plenty in hand to overtake. It really needs to be going at 65 to use 6th gear when towing but the fuel consumption is better in 5th at about 55-60. Solo the fuel consumption is up to 55 on a decent run and about 45-48 out and about in the country lanes where we live. It also goes like a rocket and handles as well as a Focus.

Bags of room for four to five adults and all their kit and it is one of the most comfortable cars that we've had (the most according to my wife, who's car it is).

Prevously we had a 2.0 petrol Focus which towed well but needed a fair amount of gear changing to make decen progress.

 

[donb]

Hi Alan

I have towed with 2ltr tdci 04 cmax for a couple of years now,current van is an 04 bailey champagne, no problems except once while reversing up hill the clutch gave out an almighty smell so I installed a motor mover to avoid future problems. I only tow in 5th and 30-34 is easily acheivable fuel consumption.Pre 06 Cmax not ultra reliable, look in CMAX owners club sites for further info but the newer ones are much better. eletric hand break takes a bit of getting used too but as an ex hgv, psv I soon got used to it.

 

[Dave_374330759]

I don't think the C-max is unique with a pongy clutch when reversing, almost everything will smell if you are slipping the clutch for a long period of time. There are plenty of reports on this and other forums about smelly clutches from most of the other manufacturers so don't get too hung up about it and either get a motor move or learn to reverse without slipping the clutch.

I concur with the comments about the electric handbrake - it's OK once you get used to it but its a bit disconcerting when you first try it out with a van on the back, halfway up a steep hill with the bloke behind so close that you can't see him. Our Ghia has the electric brake and heaved the van all round Scotland and through Glasgow without any problems.