Frogslegs Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 We have a ford mondeo 1800 turbo diesel estate. Have seen a caravane 900 kgs for sale. Will it be suitable.many thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogslegs Posted December 8, 2006 Author Share Posted December 8, 2006 oops...it's 900 kilos![:$] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Mondeo tech specs herehttp://www2.fordconnection.com/fordconnection/multimedia/gbr_en/00c/yyn/gbr_en00cyynmodelspc.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 There's a rule of thumb that the laden weight of your caravan should not exceed 80% of the weight of the tow vehicle.Very experienced towers may exceed this figure but this is not recommended for novice or occasional towers. The loading of the caravan is also iimportant. Most caravans tow better when they are loaded nose heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 cooperlolaWhat is technically permissible and what is prudent are normally two different figures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Very true Benjamin! As a regular tower of two ponies in a 1000k trailer, I agree. I have also found that the length of the vehicle in comparison with the length of the trailer affects things. For instance, when I moved up from an SWB Landy to a 110, I found it lessened the "sideways pulling" effect of heavy lorries quite considerably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 I have a 7.2m Campervan with a very long overhang at the rear which I use to tow a small motorbike trailer - and it's impossible to reverse it in a straight line....[:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 " What is technically permissible and what is prudent are normally two different figures."Quite agree, have a look at this - LOL!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRXmE5XNVCw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Hilarious! And it looks genuine, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 That is so funny..................................[:D][:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Tee hee. I used to regularly come across a lady who towed a two horse trailer with an Escort back in blighty. She must have got through about 5 clutches a year from the amount of smoke they produced when she was trying to pull away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogslegs Posted December 9, 2006 Author Share Posted December 9, 2006 thanks for that...but I am trying to convince my husband that a caravan is a good idea!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 The 85% 'rule' is a very good start point, diesels make good towing vehicles because of their torque characteristics.Loading is critical. All cars have a max recomended 'nose weight' figure which relates to the down force on the drawbar, it will be in the manual and will probably be somewhere between 20 and 50 kg. Get yourselves a nose weight gauge, very cheap from (say) Towsure. Use it every time, dont guess. Buy a stabiliser, they are very good for an increase in peace of mind, even if you or anyone else thinks you dont need one.If the van you buy has an onboard water tank, dont travel with it full or part full, water sloshing about whilst towing will definitely cause instability ( been there, done it, it was NOT fun).Caravanning is fabulous. We have towed all over Europe and UK for many years, going back to the days of using an Austin Maxi (great tow car). Take care, take advice, dont try to rush anywhere, enjoy.The municipal sites are, IMHO, the best to stay at in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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