09 LV Ford Focus TDCI Towing 4.1m Tinny ?

tommygun69 · 11-09-2012, 05:48 PM

I was looking at getting a 4.1m tinny and wondering what peoples thoughts are with towing a boat like this with a focus

For non braked towing it is rated for 650kg so I am thinking with precaution I should be ok? Not sure what a basic tinny with motor would weigh... I know the motor is 100kg, boat and trailer I am guessing would be in the 400kg mark plus gear so I am nearing the 650 mark. Maybe extra brakes are in order.

Being the diesel, you think I would have any trouble pulling the boat up a ramp if it was concrete?

here is the boat I am buying

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/lands...nly/1006637481

thoughts?

Franco Cozzo · 11-09-2012, 09:30 PM

Only issue I can think of wet ramp, FWD car with a lot of weight on the rear, but diesel engine is one heavy mofo and FWD engines are right over the front wheels.

Torque wise, no problem it'll pull it fine, you've got 340nm on tap.

Yellow_Festiva · 11-09-2012, 09:45 PM

The car in question has NO TROUBLE pulling what you describe:

I should know ;)

Doesn't even raise a sweat....... As for the ramp. No issues what so ever!

Go out and buy your boat ;)

**Ratmick** · 11-09-2012, 09:53 PM

I have the LV MKII TDCi with the Ford tow-pack and it pulls a 6x4' trailer fine.

It does say this in the manual:

Quote:

When towing heavy loads it is recommended that the highest gear selected is fourth. Towing in fifth or sixth gears under heavy load conditions, particularly on hot days, is less efficient for cooling performance and may cause a temporary reduction in engine operating power to protect against engine and transmission failure.

So I guess as long as you don't overdo the load capacity and keep the above in mind I reckon you'd be ok.

Would it be worth considering trailer brakes?

Mick

Yellow_Festiva · 12-09-2012, 09:36 AM

I never bothered reading the book regarding towing Mick. Probably should have!

Having said that, I have always just left it in top gear when on the freeway, and drove it much like an unladen car. Only difference was I would gear down a little sooner for inclines if needed. I can't see the rational behind driving at 100km/h in 4th to 'help cooling'????

I wonder what they define as 'heavy'?... I really hate vague statements like that! Heavy braked or heavy unbraked?? Quite a difference.

I don't think you would need any trailer brakes for circa 600kg. As long as you drive to the conditions you will be fine.

You will be very impressed at how easy the diesel pulls a load.

Expect to use about 2L per 100km more as well ;)

tommygun69 · 12-09-2012, 10:09 AM

sweet thanks for all the replies

gives me a bit more confidence now haha

now to find that gold fishing spot!

tommygun69 · 12-09-2012, 10:13 AM

i forgot to ask... what kind of tow bar setup do you guys have? and where did you get it from?

Yellow_Festiva · 12-09-2012, 05:33 PM

Got a HR setup. Was around $450 fitted aftermarket.

**Ratmick** · 12-09-2012, 09:06 PM

My car is an ex-Ford exec company car and it came with it.

Had to change my trailer plug for a seven pin inline job, but apart from that all good.

Mick

marg99 · 13-09-2012, 05:35 PM

I would be a bit cautious about loading up the boat as Ford only allows 650Kg including trailer, without brakes on the trailer. With brakes you can go to 900KG on those Focus models

Yellow_Festiva · 16-09-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marg99

I would be a bit cautious about loading up the boat as Ford only allows 650Kg including trailer, without brakes on the trailer. With brakes you can go to 900KG on those Focus models

I'm surprised at how low those numbers are when you compare them to similar cars.

Just checked my book. Your figures were slightly off

Petrol Auto - braked: 750kg, unbraked: 650kg.
Petrol Manual - braked: 900kg, unbraked: 650kg.

All diesels - braked 1000kg, unbraked 680kg.

The diesel figures could be slightly higher to be honest, could be the cooling / transmission setup is the limitation??

An 86 XF Falcon with almost identical power, weight and torque was rated at 800kg unbraked and 1200kg braked, or there abouts ;)

Then compare the Focus to a 2010 manual Fiesta. 400kg lighter, 12kw less power, HALF the torque, yet exactly the same braked towing capacitiy as the manual petrol Focus and 100kg off the diesel!!!!

So either the Fiesta is over-rated, or the Focus is under-rated - brobably a bit of both!

Oh... and the XR5 is not suited to towing ANYTHING according to the book. You would think with the power and brakes it has it would be on par with the diesel?????