Towing for the first time

[peter_5065299]

Hi everyone i have bought a sterling europa 450es and my tow car is a ford focus estate 1.8 ghia.

I was just wondering if the car is up to the job of towing my van,i went about it the right way to match the van to the car the match that came up was 88% this was done by the dealer i got the van from, so as this will be my first time what do you think,

 

[mauron]

Hi Pete some good advice on Caravan Club website and on technical page of this website.

The problem with the 85% guide (it's NOT a rule) is that their are two variations. The UK one and the E.U one,

The UK guide states car empty with full tank of fuel, toolkit and fluids. The EU guide states car with fluids, 90% of fuel, 68kg (weight of driver) and 7kg of luggage!

I would also check that the weight of car and caravan is within the "Gross Train Weight" or equivalent given in the cars handbook. Hope this makes sense- I'm going to lie down now

 

[Steve_1]

You shouldn't have any problems with that, I tow a Swift Challenger 400SE (MTPLM of 1060kg) with my Focus 1.8 MP3 3dr. It has proved to be very stable and has adequate power. My only complaints would be the gear ratios but it's not a problem when you get used to it. You will find that 5th gear is not much use because the revs are so low at 60mph there is no torque there. Having said that it is perfectly happy in 4th gear at 60mph, and I have had it up to 75mph to get past something.....

 

[Lutz]

Hi Pete some good advice on Caravan Club website and on technical page of this website.

The problem with the 85% guide (it's NOT a rule) is that their are two variations. The UK one and the E.U one,

The UK guide states car empty with full tank of fuel, toolkit and fluids. The EU guide states car with fluids, 90% of fuel, 68kg (weight of driver) and 7kg of luggage!

I would also check that the weight of car and caravan is within the "Gross Train Weight" or equivalent given in the cars handbook. Hope this makes sense- I'm going to lie down now

I think you'll find that all reasonably new models, including the Ford Focus in question, are rated according to EU Directive 92/21/EEC.

 

[MARK_5074954]

Hello Steve,

Reading your comments about towing. New to towing vans. Having real problems with snaking above 50mph. New stabiliser fitted, using 3.9v8 Discovery. Caravan is a Elddis Avante 524 @ 1100kg. Dont what i am doing wrong. Been towing a Trailer with tents bikes and all sorts of gear probably 800kg not including trailer.

Any advice appricated.

 

[Damian]

Mark, towing trailers with bikes or tents in is a totally different ball game to towing a caravan. If you are having problems with snaking at above 50 then it is almost certainly down to bad van loading, and having the weight in the wrong places.

Most van handbooks, and CC and C&CC guides give the correct loading pattern for caravans. Make sure you load heavy items on the floor over the axle(s) with lighter items as low as possible and evenly distributed. Whatever you do, to get the noseweight correct , do NOT balance the van by putting extra weights in the rear, you will end up with a "Dumbell" situation, and then you will really know what its like for the tail to wag the dog.

I thought I had loaded the van properly, only to find it didnt feel right, and moving the awning and poles slightly forward over the axle solved the problem. Make sure the tyre pressures are correct on the van, and the car and ensure your stabiliser is set correctly, if using a leaf spring type.

Whilst it may be nice to look at if the van floor is clear, and everything tucked away,I have found that it is impossible to attain good weight distribution and have a clear floor.

 

[Steve_1]

Hi Mark, as damian has said it could be a loading problem.

Although there is another point to consider as you say you are towing with a Discovery, when the van is hitched up does it sit level, nose up, or nose down? If it is nose up this will cause instabilty at speed and you will need to fit a drop plate on your towbar to make it level.

For some loading advice take a look at

http://www.caravansource.co.uk

 

[MARK_5074954]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I think it is all down to the way i am loading the van. Really need to get this noseweight sorted out. Anyway thanks for all the help. Be a couple of weeks before i get back from work but will let you know how i get on.

Once again thanks.