Will a Ford Focus tow a horse trailer
Mike
Until fairly recently we had 3 horses and a trailer we were doing loads
of towing and as such bought a 4x4 (Ford Maverick 2.9TD). At the time
we were using it every weekend, more often than not with two horses in
the trailer.
We are now down to a single fairly large pony, our daughter has gone to
University and is no longer competing so we have no-where near as much
need to be be moving the horse around. It will just be the occasional
trip to the vet and so we would like to get rid of the 4x4 as it's
really just gathering rust on the drive.
We also have a Ford Focus 1.8LX estate and I'm wondering if it would be
up to the task of towing the trailer with one large pony in it, bearing
in mind we are not thinking of regular towing, just the occasional
trip.
The trailer weighs about a ton and the horse about half a ton.
One last thing. I can't just go and try this as the Focus has no
towbar fitted and as I have no other use for the towbar, I don't really
want to fit one and then find it's useless.
Many thanks for any help or advice
Mike
Brimstone
"Mike" <mi...@thelodge1.karoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1161765153....@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
The handbook should contain advice about towing including details of the
maximum weight it can tow. If not try the Ford website.
.
> I'm wondering if it would be up to the task of towing the trailer
a quick google shows that the focus can tow 1000kg
you do the maths.
Christian McArdle
> up to the task of towing the trailer with one large pony in it, bearing
> in mind we are not thinking of regular towing, just the occasional
> trip.
>
> The trailer weighs about a ton and the horse about half a ton.
The maximum permitted braked trailer mass of a (current) Ford Focus 1.8LX
estate is 1200kg, which is just under 90% of kerb weight (and thus
acceptable to an experienced tow driver).
Therefore, your 1500kg combination is not acceptable.
However, 1 tonne for a one pony trailer seems a little much to me. I would
take it down your nearest public weighbridge and check its empty weight.
Alternatively, if the trailer is still your old twin horse, then part
exchange it for something smaller.
For example, a new Ifor Williams single horse box has an unladen weight of
770kg. If your pony comes in under 430kg, you'll be fine. Even a large 14.5h
pony is unlikely to exceed 400kg. Indeed, a more typical 14h, 360kg pony in
the Ifor Williams box would weigh 1130kg, which nips in under the 85% rule
as well as the manufacturer's maximum mass.
Christian.
Christian McArdle
> estate is 1200kg, which is just under 90% of kerb weight (and thus
> acceptable to an experienced tow driver).
Another alternative is to part exchange your 1.8LX for a diesel. Both the
1.8 and 2.0 have a towing mass of 1500kg. This option drops your CO2
emissions from 167g/km to 139 or 149g/km. With the 2.0, it also improves
acceleration from 10.5s to 9.5s on the 0-60. All round, a much nicer car.
The 1.6 diesel is no good for you.
Note that all these weights are for the new shape Focus. If you have an old
shape, then they may be different.
Christian.
Dave Plowman (News)
Mike <mi...@thelodge1.karoo.co.uk> wrote:
> We also have a Ford Focus 1.8LX estate and I'm wondering if it would be
> up to the task of towing the trailer with one large pony in it, bearing
> in mind we are not thinking of regular towing, just the occasional
> trip.
If you look in the driver's handbook it will give maximum towing loads,
etc.
--
*I took an IQ test and the results were negative.
Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
Nick Finnigan
>
> We also have a Ford Focus 1.8LX estate and I'm wondering if it would be
> up to the task of towing the trailer with one large pony in it, bearing
> in mind we are not thinking of regular towing, just the occasional
> trip.
I'd be worried about long hill climbs and hill starts, even if they
were only occasional. The diesel engines may have a lower first gear.
Mike
All things considered I think this is not a great idea!
Maybe if it had been a diesel or the trailer a bit smaller (it's a full
size Ifor Williams so fairly heavy).
Looks like the Maverick will be staying for a little longer at least.
Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.
Mike
bucket
"Nick Finnigan" <n...@genie.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ehop5n$e2c$1...@registered.motzarella.org...
You could always get the horse out and ask it to pull the Focus :-)
Giddy-up!!
--
bucket
I have come to understand that there is nothing quite as satisfying as a
nap. In fact I am asleep right now (Nick Abbot).
bucket
I think that's a good decision. I know there are all the recommended towing
weights etc, but I never like to tow anything approaching 50% of the pulling
vehicle weight and the heavier the towing vehicle the safer I feel. Its all
very well in ideal conditions, but cross winds and other unforeseen
problems, especially with a horse possibly shifting about or panicking, I
think its good to have a large safety margin to stop the proverbial tail
wagging the dog situation.
--
bucket
Freedom of speech is wonderful - right up there with the freedom not to
listen.
Christian McArdle
> towing
> weights etc, but I never like to tow anything approaching 50% of the
> pulling
> vehicle weight and the heavier the towing vehicle the safer I feel.
85% is just fine, though, even for people with limited experience (but
without attitude problems, like doing 95mph down the M4 in the outside
lane). Limiting yourself to 50% is completely OTT and might lead you to own
an overly expensive polluting vehicle unnecessarily.
Christian.
bucket
"Christian McArdle" <cmcar...@nospam.yahooxxxx.co.uk> wrote in message
news:45409573$0$577$4d4e...@read.news.uk.uu.net...
I still stand by my personal opinion and it is just that. Pulling 1250KG
(85%) with a 1500KG car seems to leave little margin for problems to my
mind. I like a large safety margin. Probably because I come from the "over
engineer it" school. My van pulling a caravan feels just right for me. The
van is totally in charge as outweighs the caravan about 4:1. Each to their
own though, I'm just happier doing it my way.
--
bucket
Rules were made for the obedience of fools and guidance of wise men
Adrian
were saying :
>> > I think that's a good decision. I know there are all the
>> > recommended towing weights etc, but I never like to tow anything
>> > approaching 50% of the pulling vehicle weight and the heavier the
>> > towing vehicle the safer I feel.
>> 85% is just fine, though, even for people with limited experience
>> (but without attitude problems, like doing 95mph down the M4 in the
>> outside lane). Limiting yourself to 50% is completely OTT and might
>> lead you to own an overly expensive polluting vehicle unnecessarily.
> I still stand by my personal opinion and it is just that. Pulling
> 1250KG (85%) with a 1500KG car seems to leave little margin for
> problems to my mind.
Of far more importance than the absolute weight ratio is the nose weight
and the style of driving.
Who ever checks the noseweight? Besides, in the case of a horse trailer
with half a ton of dogfood wandering about in the back, the nose weight can
and will change - not to mention any lateral instability through having one
horse in a two-horse box.
I don't have any problem with being close to the towing limit in a
balanced, well secured load - such as a car on a trailer, or even a <spits>
wheeled garden shed - but with a load that's inherently assymetrical and
liable to move around, like a horse in a box, then I would be very inclined
to want plenty of margin for error.
In the OPs specific situation, I think I'd be tempted to get shot of all
three vehicles - Maverick, Focus and over-large box - and get one Mondeo-
size (or larger) car and a single horsebox.
Christian McArdle
> three vehicles - Maverick, Focus and over-large box - and get one Mondeo-
> size (or larger) car and a single horsebox.
That would, indeed, be a very sensible suggestion, especially if the new car
was a diesel.
Christian.
Martin
>>wheeled garden shed
I thought you owned a few of these?
Adrian
saying :
>>>or even a <spits> wheeled garden shed
> I thought you owned a few of these?
Not that type, the beige type you tie to a back bumper.
David R
news:12k147t...@corp.supernews.com...
> You could always get the horse out and ask it to pull the Focus :-)
> Giddy-up!!
Neighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh bother at all.
Martin
>>
>>> I thought you owned a few of these?
>>
>>Not that type, the beige type you tie to a back bumper.
Can't see how that would effect you - my wheeled garden shed would overtake
yours going up a steep hill, oh and mine is white!
I know that your garden sheds do contain petrol lawnmowers as you can hear
them running as the sheds move.
I'm having fun here!
Brimstone
> Can't see how that would effect you
<snipped>
> I'm having fun here!
You'll have more fun when you learn to use English correctly.
Martin
So speaks Mr Arial (aerial)