Enough grunt to tow?

[Terrier_Jimlad]

Picked up a motorcycle trailer at the weekend as we'll be using it to carry 2-3 bikes (around 175kg each) to trackdays etc. I picked the trailer up with the in-laws 1.9 TDI Golf which pulled it fine and I suspect it will be fine once loaded as they use the Golf to pull their caravan and boat.

However, there will be occasions where I will have to use my own Focus, its a 2010 1.6 Zetec (petrol) and whilst it has enough squirt on it's own, will it be okay towing what will be circa 500-600kg of weight? I'm always thought to tow anything the car needed a bit of "grunt" which the Golf has over the Focus.

Does anyone else tow with a 1.6 petrol Focus and find it ok?

 

[Maccapacca]

It'll be fine.

 

[OhEsEcks]

It should be fine as it's below the towing weight the car is rated for. I think the 1.6 petrol is rated for about 700 - 800kg. Diesel of course will nearly double the towing capacity.

 

[ci_newman]

It'll be fine but don't expect to do 60mph on the Motorway or for your fuel economy to be any good

 

[Terrier_Jimlad]

It'll be fine but don't expect to do 60mph

 

[sovietspybob]

It'll be fine but you'll really feel it especially on any gradients on the motorway!

I towed 2 bikes to Germany behind my 300bhp impreza and you really felt the extra weight behind you.

 

[Maccapacca]

Need more torxs innit

 

[OhEsEcks]

It depends on the engine you have. If it's a second gen focus with the duratec engine, the limit is what I stated above and as newman says, it won't pull nearly as well. If it's the first of the third generation with the 1.6 ecoboost engine, then it has a 1500kg capacity I think. There's also an updated 1.6 duratec in the third generation, but I don't know if it's rated the same as the ecoboost, since the ecoboost produces nearly twice as much torque in overboost which is of course better for pulling loads.

Need more torxs innit

Pretty much.

 

[Terrier_Jimlad]

Pretty sure it's the Duratec engine, un-sure of exact generation. The Golf has a 1500kg limit, Focus is 700kg ... looks like i'll need to sweet talk the in-laws when I need to pull 3 bikes

 

[ubersonic]

Considering 60MPH is the speed limit on the motorway for a car towing something it isn't really much of an issue, unless by not doing 60 they mean more like 40-50 XD

 

[Scythe]

I'm going to be towing a single trailer with my track bike on with a 1.4 Clio, from reading on other forums it should be bearable (just about)

 

[sovietspybob]

I'm going to be towing a single trailer with my track bike on with a 1.4 Clio, from reading on other forums it should be bearable (just about)

It'll only be the same as having 4 fat mates in the car plus a bit more rolling resistance!

 

[Lopéz]

I towed a Mini on a trailer with a wheezy 1.8 Sierra years ago and whilst it wouldn't stop, going wasn't too much of an issue.
Don't expect to win a traffic light grand prix, but it's not exactly unbearable.

 

[Scythe]

It'll only be the same as having 4 fat mates in the car plus a bit more rolling resistance!

Pretty much!

Getting a new car before the year end, something a bit more suitable.

 

[leigh_boy]

3 bikes on a bike trailer i find is nearly impossiable to load unless mx bikes.
pulling them thought will be fine but slow.

 

[Terrier_Jimlad]

Aye, the last 3 trackdays i've done we've only taken 2 bikes to be fair, both around 170kg and the trailer I guess-timate around 125-150kg so my "typical" laden weight of the trailer would be circa 500kg ... thats 250kg under the towing limit of the Focus. I guess i'll have to trial it at the end of May for Oulton Park and see how it goes!

 

[wingman]

and whilst it has enough squirt on it's own

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Accelerating isn't the problem with towing. Stopping is what you want to think about most.

Is the trailer braked? Is it single or double axle ie will it put weight onto the two bar (therefore applying lift to the front wheels?)