Can a Ford Territory tow a caravan? (a review)

In this guide, we will answer the following question: Can a Ford Territory tow a caravan? You will also read a short review of the Ford Territory and everything that you need to know about this car.

Can a Ford Territory tow a caravan?

Not only a Ford Territory can tow a caravan, but the Ford Territory is THE car for towing a fully-loaded caravan. With a towing capacity starting from 2300kg, it looks like this Ford model was built for long trips around the country.

Ford Territory Towing Capacity

YearTowing capacity fromTowing capacity to
20172300kg2700kg
20162300kg2700kg
20152300kg2700kg
20142300kg2700kg
20132300kg2700kg
20122300kg2700kg
20112300kg2700kg
20102300kg2300kg
20092300kg2300kg
20082300kg2300kg
20072300kg2300kg
20062300kg2300kg
20052300kg2300kg
20042300kg2300kg

Ford Territory: all you need to know

Ford Territory is an SUV for Segment C (compact). It was developed in partnership between Ford and the Chinese automaker JMC, to market it in the so-called “emerging markets.” 

There is only one engine available: it is a Mitsubishi 1.5 turbo after impeller (143 hp and 225 Nm). It is combined with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT with eight preprogrammed gears) and front-wheel drive.

Pros: Safety equipment. It comes standard with various driving aids (ADAS), including Autonomous Emergency Braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic parking system and collision risk alert.

Cons: In a new commitment to the SUV segment, Ford plans to attract the users of the Focus with the Territory, a car that was manufactured in Argentina in its first three generations and was discontinued without a direct replacement.

It comes standard with a 10-inch digital dashboard, 10-inch multimedia screen, leather upholstery, panoramic roof and seats with electrical adjustments (cooled and heated). The complete equipment is in the technical sheet to download.

Prices:Territory SEL, $ 41,600; Territory Titanium, $ 45,900. Tax the first scale of internal taxes. Three-year or 100,000-kilometer warranty.

Ford Territory: Engine and Transmission

When you open the hood, you find an engine bearing the “Ford Ecoboost” emblem. But it has nothing to do with the efficient and modern turbo engines, which the Oval brand manufactures in the United States and Europe.

The original design of this block of four cylinders goes back to the family of Orion Engines, developed by Mitsubishi in 1977. Of course, it is duly updated, but this base is not only used by JMC, Yusheng and Ford. Brands like Brilliance, BYD, Changan, Geely, Emgrand, Great Wall, Haval and Zotye also took advantage of it. 

The engine today is manufactured in China by the Austrian multinational AVL, that is why it is so common that there are Chinese vehicles with 1.5 mechanics (turbo and atmospheric).

This Ecoboost has a Miller Cycle, direct injection, turbo, variable timing and good performance: 143 hp (between 4,500 and 5,200 rpm) and 225 Nm (between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm).

It is combined only with an automatic box. It is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) manufactured by Punch Powertrain: it is a supplier of 80% of the automatic boxes that are installed in Chinese cars. The Ford Territory has it, but also several models from Baic, Dongfeng, Haima, Proton, Geely, JAC and -of course- JMC.

The version of this box that the Territory uses has eight preprogrammed gears. It has no gears, but eight steps that give the sensation of “passing gears.” Traction is front. Unlike several of its segment rivals, there is no all-wheel-drive option.

Ford Territory: behaviour on the road

The Territory’s cabin is spacious, well lit, excellent soundproofing, and good viewing angles. In theory, it is a great place to spend the day and enjoy it as a good urban vehicle.

However, the CVT box doesn’t help. As with other continuously variable transmissions, CVTs deliver an artificial response to a sudden demand on the throttle. Everything runs smoothly and progressively when you drive slowly. 

But, faced with a little more demand, there is that combination of engine noise and high rpm, but with little response in speed. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 175 km/h.

If you’ve never driven a car with an automatic transmission, CVT is going to be an important advance in terms of comfort and reduction of stress in traffic. But, if you’ve ever tried a car with an automatic torque converter or dual-clutch transmission, you’re going to notice the CVT’s awkward response. 

Automakers choose this transmission because it is cheaper to produce and reduce consumption (because it is lighter, not more efficient). It is a question of costs, not of technological advance.

The transmission is annoying even when braking at a traffic light. If you keep the transmission in D, you will feel a vibration on the brake pedal, as if the car wants to run away. 

Everything calms down when you go to P or N. And, when the traffic light turns green and you advance the first few meters, you will feel a vibration in the accelerator pedal: it is a strange crunch, like someone stretching the bones of the skeleton before they start running faster.

Beyond the blissful CVT, the Territory is a very tame vehicle for urban use. She only feels uncomfortable on rough roads. When there are cobblestones or even when we drive it on gravel, the front end transmits some dry blows to the steering wheel, a sign that the vehicle does not feel comfortable. 

Add to that the low profile tires don’t help: I’m sure the Territory SEL, with 17 ”wheels, is much better suited to our terrain.

The steering is very light: very comfortable in the city, although with a certain tendency to float on the road. It is clear that this vehicle was born to be an urban transport, with some occasional trips on the road. 

No off-road or sporty handling. It is a vehicle that, when challenged a little, is easy to correct and with well-calibrated driving aids. ESP and Collision Risk Alert are non-invasive – they really intervene when needed. 

In addition, it has very good brakes: with discs on all four wheels (front, ventilated). In those more demanding driving conditions, once again, it is the front end that does not convey feelings of robustness or confidence. It is one of the weakest points of the car.

Consumption on the road is very good: at 120 km/h, the engine works at 2,000 rpm and uses 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The tank has 52 litres of capacity, more than enough for long trips. Consumption in the city seemed a bit high: 12.5 l / 100km.

Conclusions

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.

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 Territory tow a caravan?

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.

How much does a caravan weigh?

You will find precisely how much a caravan weighs and its capacity in the manufacturer’s manual. If the caravan has brakes and weighs over 750 kg, it is driven with the B + E category or the driving school certificate.

References

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