New to towing and caravaning

Class55 replied on 05/07/2012 12:11

Posted on 05/07/2012 12:11

Hi all,

 To begin Laughing

 We have a 2002 Ford Focus 1.6 Ghia.

 In May we got the chance to purchase a caravan, we went to a well known dealer, and had a look around, settling on a Lunar Astara 392 (2002), we informed the sales person, who checked if we could tow it, and he came back and said all was ok and that it was ok for the car.

 Based on that all the HP agreements were signed and a friend collected th caravan for us later in the month.

It is currently stored at out friends, since buying it we have had towbar with electrics fitted and have arranged a 5 day break at a CC site - I have still not towed it!

We are due to collect the van from our friends next Friday evening - I assumed that towing later in the day for a first timer was best - to bring to our home prior to the 5 day break starting on Sunday.

However, I've been reading around, trying to match car/van for the 85% limit - never seem to get anywhere for the exact car on matching sites - and even when I do a manual workout of limits, I get around a 92% match Sad 

This is where panic starts to set in, is the car capable of towing this van?, has the salesperson given us the wrong advice to get a sale?

We can't really take it back as everything is signed for and HP payments started lol, and we can't afford a bigger/better car, or is it just me missing something out or being extra careful.

As a ps, whilst I have never towed before, I have for a few years driven v large Vans, and for 2 years driven a 7.5 tonne wagon, so am not a fast/foolish driver. 

All help/advice would be gratefully received and appreciated. 

near Malvern Hills Club Campsite Member photo by Andrew Cole

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