Ford Focus towing a 4m rib?

[whisper]

Hi,

I was thinking of fitting a towbar to a ford focus 1.8 16v it's a mk1 year 2000. I just wanted to know if it would make a good tow car for my Avon SR4, also would it be good on long trips and be ok on the slipway?

Thanks in advance

[Downhilldai]

Yes, it will be fine. You could tow an SR4 with a pushbike!
Just be careful of the towing capacity of your car for an unbraked trailer and compare this with the plated weight of the trailer.

[Poly]

You should be fine. In terms of slipway it depends on two things: the slipway and the tyres. If in doubt use a long rope so the car is on better surface / shallower slope. If you get stuck on a slippy slip - then remove the trailer and chock it - then use sand/gravel under the wheels - it seems very effective at cleaning slime off concrete.

[Shaz]

Don't forget to keep a couple of bits of wood in the car for those annoying slipways which don't have loose lumps of rock the right size to use as chocks (or they might, but they are a little bit too far to run from the car whilst it's making a horrid groaning noise)

OK, maybe thats just me being disorganised and not picking them up first ...

Mine's on a Peugeot 306, although it is the 2l HDI, don't know if that helps for comparison at all.

[9D280]

I had no probs, but I had the diesel. As said, check the towing weights, but an SR4 should be well within the Focus' capabilities.

[whisper]

Thanks, I’ve seen some brand new towbars with electrics on ebay for around £75

290464536293

270636473691

I don’t know if they are any good but they are certainly cheap.

[slimtim]

Absolutely no problem, I have exactly the same car and tow my 5.2m (on a braked trailer). Admittedly I only tow it 1.5 miles each way but I do pull it out of the water and up a steep slipway. Never had a problem if I give it some beans.

[actions]

Originally Posted by whisper

Thanks, I’ve seen some brand new towbars with electrics on ebay for around £75

290464536293

270636473691

I don’t know if they are any good but they are certainly cheap.

I purchased a witter towbar as they are known to be a very good strong make. Try PFjones.co.uk. One for a focus on year 2000 is £74.90 complete with elecs. At least this way you know your getting a good make. http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/-f...hatchback.html

Also i have a valiant 380 with 30hp on the back, towed by a 1.8 Vectra. No issues whatsoever being towed.

All the best.

[9D280]

Originally Posted by actions

I purchased a witter towbar

Yep, me too. And don't believe the bit in the instructions about cutting the back bumper (assuming of course they haven't changed the design!) It will fold slightly but means should you want to remove the tow bar to sell, no damage. Just remember to keep the rear crossmember that the towbar replaces if you want to remove the bar for selling.

There's a handy vent either side (under the bumper) to lead the cable through - saves drilling the boot floor.

[willfinch36]

Originally Posted by actions

I purchased a witter towbar as they are known to be a very good strong make. Try PFjones.co.uk. One for a focus on year 2000 is £74.90 complete with elecs. At least this way you know your getting a good make. http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/-f...hatchback.html

Also i have a valiant 380 with 30hp on the back, towed by a 1.8 Vectra. No issues whatsoever being towed.

All the best.

Just out of intrest, how many knots do you get out of your valiant 3.80? My old rib was a Valiant 3.80 with a 25 Mercury 2 Stroke and did 26 knots!!

Will

[actions]

[QUOTE=willfinch36;375330] Just out of intrest, how many knots do you get out of your valiant 3.80? My old rib was a Valiant 3.80 with a 25 Mercury 2 Stroke and did 26 knots!!


Hi,

The most i have clocked is 28.7 on the Gps. But that was with the wind behind me, downhill, ha ha.

Not a huge difference then between then 25 and 30.

Matt.

[whisper]

Thanks for all the great advice, looks like i'll be mobile again soon

[Jizm]

Me and my mate used to use a Fiesta 1.1 to tow the Avon 3.4 we had, never had any worries.