Hi all, I am new to this so can anyone help me please. I have a Ford focus estate 2015 it's a 1.6 auto and I need to know what my towing limit as in caravan size would be.
Regards Dave.
Regards Dave.
Ford Focus estate 1.6 Auto
- Thread starter merseydave
- Start date
Look at your car V5c certificate for "Mass In Service" or similar. This approximates to Kerb Weight.
Look at the weight plate on the car door pillar. There are 4 numbers, take the difference between the first 2 and this gives you max trailer weight (for an 'ideal' trailer, but note that caravans are NOT 'ideal').
The recommendation is for the max caravan weight (MTPLM) to be no more than 85% of the kerb weight, or lower if max trailer weight is lower.
Edit - an Internet search gives kerb weight at 1350 kg (if I've got the right car/trim level), which gives a max caravan weight (MTPLM) of about 1150 kg.
Look at the weight plate on the car door pillar. There are 4 numbers, take the difference between the first 2 and this gives you max trailer weight (for an 'ideal' trailer, but note that caravans are NOT 'ideal').
The recommendation is for the max caravan weight (MTPLM) to be no more than 85% of the kerb weight, or lower if max trailer weight is lower.
Edit - an Internet search gives kerb weight at 1350 kg (if I've got the right car/trim level), which gives a max caravan weight (MTPLM) of about 1150 kg.
The difference between the first to numbers (ie max trailer weight) is only 1000 kg I'm afraid, ie less than 85% kerb weight. 
So you must use this figure of 1000 kg.
Edit - the 4 weights are:
Max Gross Vehicle Weight
Max Gross Train Weight
Max Front Axle load
Max Rear Axle Load
So you must use this figure of 1000 kg.Edit - the 4 weights are:
Max Gross Vehicle Weight
Max Gross Train Weight
Max Front Axle load
Max Rear Axle Load
- Jun 20, 2005
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WC.
Looking at the sites the Prof, quite correctly, decries state the OP vehicle is
only rated at 750kgs max. I assume this is because the transmission and braking systems can't cope with more.?
What do think? This kind of throws your rule of thumb out the door?.
Am I looking at the wrong data and worrying about the Rain master spoiling the Woosiefest
Looking at the sites the Prof, quite correctly, decries state the OP vehicle is
only rated at 750kgs max. I assume this is because the transmission and braking systems can't cope with more.?
What do think? This kind of throws your rule of thumb out the door?.
Am I looking at the wrong data and worrying about the Rain master spoiling the Woosiefest
The car weight plates are the legal figures, not rule of thumb, and are specific to that model/trim.
Dustydog said:WC.
Looking at the sites the Prof, quite correctly, decries state the OP vehicle is
only rated at 750kgs max. I assume this is because the transmission and braking systems can't cope with more.?
What do think? This kind of throws your rule of thumb out the door?.
Am I looking at the wrong data and worrying about the Rain master spoiling the Woosiefest
Don't know what to do now, can I tow 1000kgs or just 750kgs.
Regards Dave.
- Mar 14, 2005
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Dustydog said:
Hello Dusty,
Yes Renault and some other manufacturers used to fudge the issue by quoting a maximum towed weight limit that was greater than the difference between the Gross Train Weight minus the Gross Vehicle Weight.
However this greater weight could only be towed provided the combined weight of car and trailer did not exceed the Gross Train Weight. In the case of many Renaults you could only tow the stated maximum towed weight if the car was no heavier than its unladen weight. Under all circumstances the combined weight must not exceed the GTW on the weight plate.
Thanks for all your help Guys, it should be fine as I only need a two berth so I can now start looking.
Regards Dave.
Regards Dave.
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