Tow car quandry

[peardrops]

Having used my in-laws van a few times (a bailey ranger)we have taken the plunge and have just ordered our first caravan a Sterling Europa 540 which we collect in May.

I currently run an 03 Mondeo hatch 2.0 TDCI 115 BHP.

I will be possibly looking to change the car around Sept due to a change in employment, but in the meantime I have spoken to the dealer who says it will be ok to tow with, checked the what tow car web site, it does comes in at over 85% around 93%. I spoke to the caravan club they would not recommend it at at all! , nor an x-trail and possibly only just a Ford S-Max, so I am a bit confused. I dont intend to load the van up heavily and dont really want to run a big 4x4, will the Mondeo be okay for now? Also, if I chipped it to increase the BHP to 130 would that make a big difference to its pulling capabilities at all?

and if the mondeo is not suitable at all will I have to get a big 4 x 4 or a large estate?

kind regards

 

[Lutz]

Actually, you're in an ideal situation. You've got from May to September to decide whether to stay with the Mondeo or whether you wouldn't feel more confident with a more powerful towcar.

As you are not new to towing, you should be able cope with 93% quite well, especially bearing in mind that you say that you won't be loading the caravan fully anyway.

 

[Garfield]

Power wise your Mondeo should cope, with adequate rather than good performance, we towed a 1400mtplm van with a 110bhp Sharan tdi that has now been replaced with a 2.0tdci s-max (140hp) Yet to tow with it, but fully loaded solo,it is more stable than the shaz which was very stable towing.