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Car and Caravan Outfit Matcher

Ford

Ford Focus 1.6 16v
Polar 520 (2.3)

Polar
Performance
Weight

The towing limit is exceeded by 170 kg!
It is not allowed to drive with this Polar.
Make sure the towing limit is correct.

We now give advice based on the assumption that the legal maximum towing weight is higher for your car and that the car should be allowed to tow this caravan!

The Ford Focus 1.6 16v with a Polar 520 (2.3) with an actual weight of 1370 kg is a match just suitable for most journeys but also with some limitations.

The motor preformance of the Ford is in general just sufficient. But the weight of the Polar with a normally distributed User Payload (200 kg in the caravan and 200 kg in the car including passengers), is (too) heavy. Move the luggage from the caravan to the car and drive not too fast and carefully. Remember to load your caravan correctly, insuring that the noseweight of the caravan is sufficient and the weight is distributed properly. But even so, a starting caravan driver is better off choosing a smaller and less heavy caravan!

Flat roads
Towing Performance
155
58

Mountains
Risk of snaking
131
81

Weight ratio: 95% (110% of kerbweight) 1370 kg 1445 kg

Payloads

Specify the User Payload in the car (including all passengers) and caravan:

Car
Caravan




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Ford

Ford Focus 1.6 16v
Polar 520 (2.3)

Polar

Actual Weights

Performance

 

Weight

  • The towing limit is exceeded by 170 kg (check this in your vehicle documents).
  • If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997, a B driving license is enough.
  • Weight ratio between the laden caravan and the loaded car is 95%. Common in the UK: the weight ratio between the laden caravan and the kerbweight of the car is 110%.
  • The risk of snaking at higher speeds, strong side winds and thoughtless driving is great. Even if the combination normally feels stable, the forces by deflection side to side are so great that it could be dangerous. Only if the driver has a lot of knowledge and experience in driving a caravan it should be safe to drive slowly. Proper and careful loading is essential! An electronic stability system in the car and / or on the caravan is definitely recommended.
  • Recommended noseweight is 75 kg.
  • Safe speed up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
  • Stability and safety score to compare is 81 points.

If the caravan starts to snake you should reduce your speed and slow down directly! Lift your feet off the accelerator and brake gradually. Hold the steering wheel into a fixed position.

Conclusion

  • Performance is just sufficient.
  • Proper and careful loading is essential!
  • It's a fairly good match, only for experienced (caravan) drivers and with some limitations.

 

Influence of User Payload on stability

Weight distribution and noseweight are vital in obtaining a stable caravan.

Distribute the User Payload by yourself in the caravan and the car and then find out the stability rating of your loading configuration.

More information

More detailed information and specifically calculated top speeds and performance of this outfit.


Specifications

Ford Focus 1.6 16v
1998-2004

Power
101 PS (74 kW)
Torque
145 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Kerbweight
kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
kg
Towing limit
kg
Towball limit
kg
Gross Train Weight (GTW)
kg

Polar 520 (2.3)

Mass in Running Order (MIRO)
kg
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM)
kg


User Reviews

Mats reviewed a Ford Focus 1.6 16v:

"The caravan is too heavy for the car. On a flat road it can maintain 80 km/h (the speed limit in Sweden) but as soon as it goes uphill we're soon down at 55-60 km/h to prevent the temp to go into the red field. Last summer we blew the waterpump, probably due to the heavy load.
Overall, the car can't nearly take the 1200 kg it's spec:ed for."

See more Ford Focus reviews.

Review your Ford

Tell other caravanners what you think of your Ford Focus 1.6 16v towing a Polar 520 (2.3) (1370 kg).

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