Can a Ford C-Max tow a caravan?
In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Can a Ford C-Max tow a caravan? We will talk about the types of caravans that a Ford C-Max is compatible with and how to calculate how much a car can tow.
Can a Ford C-Max tow a caravan?
A Ford C-Max is capable of towing a caravan. Depending on the car’s model, a Ford C-Max has a maximum towing capacity of 1500kg for a braked vehicle. My recommendation is to follow the owner’s manual of your Ford C-Max. You can also check the table below for data on Ford C-Max towing capacity.
Ford C-Max Towing Capacity
| Car Make & Model | Max Towing Weight – Unbraked | Max Towing Capacity – Braked |
| Ford C-Max 1.6 Ambiente (2007) | – | 1200 kg |
| Ford C-Max 1.6 TDCi Ambiente (2007) | – | 1300 kg |
| Ford C-Max 1.8 TDCi Ambiente (2007) | – | 1506 kg |
| Ford C-Max 2.0 Trend (2007) | – | 1206 kg |
| Ford C-MAX (2010 onwards) 1.0 | 695kg | 1200kg |
| Ford C-MAX (2010 onwards) 1.5 | 700kg | 1200kg |
| Ford C-MAX (2010 onwards) 1.6 EcoBoost Titanium | 690kg | 1500kg |
| Ford C-MAX (2010 onwards) 2.0 | 745kg | 1500kg |
| Ford C-Max DIESEL ESTATE 1.5 | 700kg | 1,200 kg |
| Ford C-Max DIESEL ESTATE 2.0 | 745kg | 1,500 kg |
| Ford C-Max ESTATE 1.0 EcoBoost | 695kg | 1,200 kg |
| Ford C-Max ESTATE 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium 5dr | 695kg | 1,200 kg |
| Ford C-Max ESTATE 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium Navigation 5dr | 695kg | 1,200 kg |
| Ford C-Max ESTATE 1.0 EcoBoost | 695kg | 1,200 kg |
| Ford C-Max ESTATE 1.6 | 685kg | 1,000 kg |
Ford does not recommend towing with the following vehicles: C-MAX
hybrid, C-MAX Energi, Fiesta, Focus, Fusion Hybrid, Fusion Energi, Mustang Shelby GT350 / GT350R, Taurus SHO and MKZ hybrid.
If you do decide to tow a caravan using the above mentioned vehicles, you could lose your warranty and thus doing it at your own risk.
Ford C-MAX: Towing points
First: The towing eye has a left-hand thread. Rotate it counterclockwise to install it. Make sure the towing eye is fully tightened.
Front towing eye
- There is free space in the spare wheel housing.
- The towing eye must remain in the vehicle at all times.
- Remove the cover and fit the towing eye.
Rear towing eye
If your vehicle is equipped with a tow bar, you cannot install the towing eye on the rear of your vehicle. Use the tow bar to tow other vehicles.
Other questions you may be interested in
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Towing a caravan with a Ford C-Max (a guide)
Many motorhome owners prefer the convenience of taking a second vehicle when traveling. In fact, towing of a second vehicle by a motorhome has become more and more frequent in recent years.
Also, those who do prefer a second vehicle that can be towed without having to mount by means of a wheel trolley or a trailer. The table on the right shows the cars and trucks that can be towed on all four wheels on the ground. To ensure safe operation, towed vehicles (or wheeled trolleys or trailers) must be equipped with a separate operational braking.
Note: Some motorhome centers offer kits that can allow the towing of all four wheels on the ground of vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. Consult the Warranty guide for your new vehicle, because fitting such equipment could invalidate the warranty of your vehicle.
Trailer categories compatible with your Ford
Category I- Light caravan
- 2,000 lb maximum weight (trailer and load combined)
- Small camping trailers (folding and small trailers, boats, motorcycles, and snowmobiles)
- Lots of Ford vehicles can easily tow this trailer category.
- Load-carrying hitch: traditional.
Category II – Average size caravan
- Gross trailer weight from 2,001 to 3,500 lbs
- Large camping trailers – folding, axle trailers simple, short in length to medium (up to 18 feet)
- Compact trucks and SUVs Ford can be equipped for tow these trailers (1)
- Load-distributing hitch: traditional not required unless it is required for a specific vehicle.
Category III – Heavy caravan
- Gross trailer weight from 3,501 to 5,000 lbs
- Two-axle caravan or large camping trailer with a single axle
- With the appropriate equipment, the Most Ford trucks and SUVs can tow these trailers
- Load-distributing hitch – traditional not required unless is required for a vehicle in particular.
Category IV – Very heavy caravans
- Gross trailer weight over 5,000 lbs (2)
- The largest trailers camping and caravans at fifth wheel hitch for recreation
- Most trucks and some Ford SUVs can be equipped to tow these trailers
- Most require a distribution hitch traditional charging station or a fifth wheel hitch.
What is the largest caravan or trailer that my Ford can tow?
When you decide that you are going to buy a caravan and you will need to know how big the caravan you are going to buy can be without having to buy a new car or vehicle and that it is enough for what you need.
The first place to look to determine how much your vehicle can tow is your owner’s manual. In some vehicles, this can give a very simple and straightforward answer. On small cars, you could just say that towing is not recommended or list a maximum towing capacity. While the owner’s manual is a good place to start, it can be very vague.
Vehicles that have multiple engine options, wheelbases, cabin styles, and/or gear ratio options will have a table with the combinations and how much each will tow. Read these tables carefully. Many times they will only apply if the vehicle has the towing package.
The tables will also include footnotes. Some boards will be ranked by gross combined weight or gross vehicle weight as the determining factor, as well as the ratio of the wheel, motor, and axle.
For safe and stable towing, it is generally recommended that the caravan or trailer weighs no more than 80% of the towing vehicle’s weight, especially if the driver is new to towing. The more experienced drivers tow a total of 85-100%, but the tail could start to wag if the caravan weighs more than the car pulling it. This way we will achieve a safer trip.
Depending on the type of vehicle and the options you have in the car, you will be able to know how much it can tow.
But a general rule of thumb could be:
- For a front-wheel-drive car or a small SUV: Maximum towing weight 750 Kilos
- A mid-size SUV with all-wheel drive or a pickup truck: 1500 Kilos.
- And a full-size SUV or half-ton pickup: 2,500 kilos or more.
Don’t overload your vehicle. Not exceeding your vehicle’s capabilities is as important to occupant safety as it is to the safety and protection of your vehicle’s transmission.
Conclusions
A Ford C-Max can surely tow a caravan, but always consider that the caravan’s GVWR should not exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity. Remember to include the equipment you are going to put in the towed vehicle, which adds to the dry weight.
Then you have to compare the load capacity and tongue weight. The total weight of the equipment loaded in the towing vehicle, in addition to the drawbar weight exerted by the trailer, must not exceed the load capacity of the towing vehicle.
If you have any questions or comments, let us know.
FAQ on Can a Ford C-Max tow a caravan?
Can a Ford S-max tow a caravan?
A Ford S-Max can tow a caravan. Depending on the car model, a Ford S-max could tow a maximum of 750kg of an unbraked weight up to 2505kg of a braked caravan or trailer.
Can Fords tow a caravan?
Ford does not recommend towing a caravan with the following vehicles: C-MAX
hybrid, C-MAX Energi, Fiesta, Focus, Fusion Hybrid, Fusion Energi, Mustang Shelby GT350 / GT350R, Taurus SHO and MKZ hybrid.
What are the legal requirements for towing a caravan?
The legal requirements for towing a caravan is to have a Category B drivers licence. You can pull a trailer or a caravan as long as both vehicles’ combined weight is not more than 3500 kg or 7.71 pounds.
Can a Ford Focus 1.6 tow a caravan?
A Ford Focus 1.6 can safely tow a caravan weighing 1200 kg or less, following the 85% rule. The kerbweight of a Ford Focus is 1421kg.
