Is Towcare up to the job? Ford Escort Zetec 1.6

[swampy01]

Hello

We are new caravanners and have purchased a Sprite Major 1993 5 berth - unladed 855 - laden 1050.

Our car is a Ford Escort Finnese Zetec 1.6 - we checked what towcar website and this seemed to be a good match, we were looking for an older ligher van suitable for two adults and two kids 7 and 5 years old.

We have towed a few times now and have made it up some hills etc with no problems. We always try to load the van carefully to ensure correct nose weight and keep overall payload to a minimum. We are worried about safety and have had a full service, two new tyres etc.. and everyting is in order so far.

Has anyone else towed with this car? We have seen lots of caravans with some very powerful towcars/four by fours etc.. and are worried our car may not be up to the job. We have not experienced problems and the car appears to tow well. Having only travelled with camping stuff in the past we have nothing to compare when towing.

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks

Trist.

 

[norman_5111905]

Hi Trist, I tow a Fleetwood Colchester 2 birth (around the same weight as your van) with an 05 registered 1.6 petrol Focus Zetec. Have been towing approx 2 years now and never had a problem. On hills etc, the car is having to work perhaps more than a more powerful car, but we always get where we are going, albeit perhaps a little slower than the bigger engined cars. Never had a problem with stability, but I am careful with the loading of the van. On flat roads and no head wind,I manage to get into 5th gear with little trouble. Hope this is a help.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi Trist

if it goes up hills ok can maintain 60+ mph on motorways and most important is stable under tow dont worry about it, I used to tow an old bessicar with a 1.6 mondeo ok and its the same engine in the escourt pull the van up anywhere with over 1300kg on the back.

also dont be bothered too much about what others tow with you dont need a 7LTR double decker bus to tow a 1000 kg van.

colin