what wieght can i tow with a ford focus zetec 1.8 diesel

Nov 11, 2009
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what weight caravan can i tow with a ford focus zetec 1.8
Your V5 should show it and there’s the makers plate on the car which is the legal specification. Your owners manual should say where the plate is located and what the various figures mean. However the makers maximum specified braked towed load is often higher than would be safe towing a caravan. A caravan is a large area susceptible to wind and other vehicle disturbances which can induce snaking instability. So a guide is that the caravans maximum laden weight (MTPLM) should be 85% of the cars kerbweight. Also your licence if not BE will restrict the total weight of car and caravan combined to no more than 3500kg. This is the plated weight limit of car and caravan combined and even if both vehicles are unladen it’s the plated weight that is the legal maximum.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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You don't tell which exact model you have, so whilst the advice from Otherclive still hold true, the weight figure from Audiorob must be checked with the manufactures specifications for the exact model ( Year engine and trim) you are looking at.
 
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You will find the maximum weight the car can tow on the registration document and on a plate on the car. If you have the handbook it will also be in there.
 
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It’s a 1.8 turbo diesel. If the OP takes note of how to find its towing limits as advised in posts above it will be easier to give further advice.
if it a Diesel depending on what year 1998 - 2004 Maxium Tow 1200 Kg
But if it newer it could tow 1500KG
 
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Mar 14, 2005
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You will find the maximum weight the car can tow on the registration document and on a plate on the car. If you have the handbook it will also be in there.
The maximum weight a car is type approved to tow is not on any plate on a car. It should be on the towbar assembly, but if you are looking at a car without an EU compliant tow bar already fitted then its not given.

The car will have a weight plate (see your cars drivers manual for details of its location) the plate gives four values:
the Gross Train Weight, (GTW)
Gross Vehicle Weight, (GVW also its MAM)
and the maximum axle load limits for the tow vehicle.

The difference between the GTW and GVW gives the maximum towed weight permitted when the car is fully laden. Most manufacturers use that figure for the maximum permitted towed weight, but some may give a bigger maximum towed weight limit in the cars specifications subject to the GTW not being exceeded.

All the above is the legal side and must not be exceeded. Caravans are not ideal trailers so the industry suggests (subject to non of teh above being exceeded) that a novice caravanner should tow a caravan not exceeding 0.85 of the tow vehicles kerbweight, and experienced caravanners should tow a caravan not exceed the cars kerbweight.

Good towing is not just about weights, it also needs consideration of how the weight is distributed in the car and trailer. It's also important the car and trailer is maintained in good condition, and the driver drives sensibly, observing road conditions and remembering the extra length and width and how that affects handling. and most important of all watch your speed.
 
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Not withstanding the use of the trim level Zetec, you have to match all the vehicle details and again I will suggest Year (Zetec has been used over several model changes) engine (Fuel and power details) body style and trim.

Notably the Vaxhaull Zaffira Mk1 had an absolutely paultry towing limit for the 2.0L diesel variant whilst the smaller petrol engine version had a bigger towing limit!

Some sporty versions of cars are not even legally allowed to tow becasue they have not been type approved for towing whilst similar bodied cars are allowed to tow.

So the type and trim levels of some vehicles can affect their towing allowances.

So details are important.
 
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Nov 11, 2009
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I was of the belief that Zetec engines were petrol only, just confirmed by a quick Google.
We had a Mk 1 Mondeo Ghia Estate with the automatic 2.0 litre petrol 134bhp. A cracking car far ahead of most of the competition at the time. (Circa 1994) followed by another estate, then hatch. All excellent although the other two were TDDI 1.8. A bit of a rough old donkey though but did the business.
 

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