Can a Ford Galaxy tow a caravan?
By
Elaine Knight
In this article, we will answer the following question: Can a Ford Galaxy tow a caravan? We will help you stay within the legal limits when towing a caravan, and help you prepare for the trip with a few essential tips.
Can a Ford Galaxy tow a caravan?
The 2.0 TDCi 180PS engine of a Ford Galaxy is more than capable of towing a caravan. The Ford Galaxy is a stable car even when towing, and with the 85% rule you can tow up to 1473.05 kg, which is a fairly decent weight and within the 2000kg legal towing limit!
Meet the Ford Galaxy:
| Engine size | 1997 cc |
| Gearbox | 6 Speed Manual |
| Economy | 50 mpg – without towing |
| Economy Towing | 25 mpg – 35 mpg* – based on 30% – 50% reduction of efficiency due to towing |
| Kerb weight | 1733 kgs |
| Un-braked Manufacturers towing capacity | 750 kgs |
| Braked Manufacturers towing capacity | 2000 kgs |
| 75% of Kerb weight | 1299.75 kgs |
| 85% of Kerb weight | 1473.05 kgs |
| 95% of Kerb weight | 1646.35 kgs |
Ford Galaxy: Good Features
- Almost as spacious as a pickup truck but without the allure of a utility. If you want the ultimate family gear then this Galaxy is for you.
- Giant safe with an additional ceiling height worthy of an apartment!
- Giant roominess with three independent and sliding seats in the third row.
- Perfect modularity with the motorized third-row passing through the seats.
- Surprising road behaviour for this type of size, Ford offers a really good chassis.
- Very good suspension comfort, a bit better than the S Max.
- 4X4 version available, a real plus for some who really need it.
- The very honest quality of the finish is really surprising.
- You get a good value for what you paid!
Ford Galaxy: Bad Features
- It is more of a minivan, it looks less than an SUV as it is advertised. On the other hand, it is technically a much smarter choice than an SUV.
- Less delightful than an S Max yet almost as practical.
- A converter box would have been more suited to this kind of vehicle.
- A little less dynamic than the S Max which offers almost the same space.
- No Vignale version, unlike the S Max.
- No sports chassis like on the S Max.
- The trunk volumes indicated by Ford are a little misleading.
- No standard air suspension for the rear axle.
How much weight can I legally tow?
To be sure you are abiding by the law, it is best to consult the manufacturer’s manual, where the towing capacity for your Ford Galaxy will be highlighted.
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 kgs.
- A mid-size SUV with all-wheel drive or a pickup truck: 1500 kgs.
- And a full-size SUV or half-ton pickup: 2,500 kgs 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. I’ve seen many travellers with ATVs, boats, and campers in tow.
Many of these vehicles were improperly loaded with their headlights facing up and the rear bumper almost dragging on the ground.
An overload like this is especially dangerous because the front tires are not only used for steering, they also do 75% of the braking. With the weight of the car and everything it is towing, loaded and balanced incorrectly, you lose control of the steering and the ability to stop effectively. The vehicle’s transmission and suspension can also be affected.
What are the capacities of your vehicle?
Most SUVs and trucks have multiple engine and axle configurations that affect maximum payload and towing capacity. Sometimes the difference is thousands of Kilos. On occasion, manufacturers will list the much higher towing capacity that a particular vehicle can tow, however that value may not reflect all vehicle configurations.
For example, Ford advertises that its F150 pickup can tow up to 6,000 Kilograms, but that’s for a normal cab, 2-wheel drive long bed, 3.5-liter Ecoboost with a max towing, or heavy-duty payload. The same truck without the trailer package is limited to 2300 Kilos. Big difference.
You can’t just trust the commercial. Don’t trust the commercial about how much the truck you want to buy can tow, even if they look it up in their guides.
What does properly equipped for towing mean?
There are several options to consider when purchasing a tow vehicle. These options are usually listed as a trailer package, heavy-duty suspension package, or a maximum trailer package and include things like transmission oil coolers or hitch receivers.
Transmission oil coolers protect the transmission under the extreme duty of towing heavy loads by maintaining the transmission cooler and preventing oil breakdown.
Heavy-duty suspension parts can include upgraded shocks and stabilizer bars that help you control the tow vehicle under load by keeping the tires firmly on the road and limiting rear squats and preventing the trailer from having a life of its own.
Some vehicles will have multiple trailer package options. An HD or Max trailer package could include things like a bigger gas tank, HD tires, upgraded axles, and trailer brake controllers.
Larger fuel tanks are very convenient, especially on a road trip, what are we using it for? Stopping too often to fill the fuel tank can be a hassle, and some service stations are too small or too narrow to get in and out.
When travelling into unfamiliar territory, you may not know the best stations to get in and out of, or if there is a lot of traffic and you need fuel. That extra space in the fuel tank gives you peace of mind that you can get where you are going and make better decisions on the road.
Axis relationships. On rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the rear axle ratio is an important part of a successful towing equation. It is expressed as the ratio of the revolutions per minute of the driveshaft to the revolutions per minute of the rear axle.
It is always given as a numeric expression, for example, 4.1: 1. This means that the small pinion at the end of the driveshaft must turn 4.1 times for each of the rear axle rotations.
Every rear axle ratio in the spectrum offered has a plus and a minus. A “low” ratio in the number of driveshaft rotations for each shaft rotation results in lower engine rpm, better fuel economy, longer engine life, and quieter operation. But it won’t be good for quick acceleration, climbing, hauling, or towing.
Conclusions
Your Ford Galaxy will manage a smooth ride while towing a caravan, just make sure you follow the legalities when it comes to the weight you are carrying. Remember the 80% rule and don’t overload your caravan.
Please let us know if you have any questions or comments on the content.
FAQ on Can a Ford Galaxy 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 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.
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.
