Help on weights and towbar - yes a newbee - lol

I'd have thought swan neck is capable of of being seen by reverse sensors, but just not as much as a 2 bolt flange. And yes, you're OK with an Alko hitch on it without if fouling.

I'd contest the weight of your car though https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ford+mondeo+titanium&rlz=1C1DVCA_enGB361GB379&oq=ford+mondeo+titanium&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 this gives the weight as somewhere between 1485 and 1703. My 4x4 is 'only' 2300kg so I'd doubt that your car is nearly as much.

You've lost me with your figures, but as your caravan gross weight is 1450 and the lowest possible weight of a Mondeo is 1485, then at the very worst you'll be towing at a little under 100% so given you tow somewhat more when at work, I'd say you were experienced enough to tow your new caravan. 

can a Mondeo really weigh more than our 7.3m MH.

we are plated at 4250kg bit actually run (full continental 'race trim') at around 3700kg....the 'fully laden weight' quoted for the Mondeo above was 3970kg.....

can a Modeo really weigh 4 tons .....legally.....really....?

a quick google revealed this range of gross weights.....2,130 to 2,330 kg

Quite a while since we towed with our last Mondeo campbell91 - it was a '56 plated 130 bhp tdci and it towed our 1450kg Bailey brilliantly so you've got a great tow mobile. We only moved onto the Kuga as it was 4x4. Enjoy your touring.

Can't comment on you figures but don't forget about nose weight , if I recall Mondeos were under 100kg.

PS welcome to CT

Sounds as though you've confused unladen weight with max. GVW and laden weight with gross train weight, campbell91.

Swan neck is OK with ALKO Hitch. No experience of swan necks effects on reversing sensors.

The rule of thumb for first time towing is your caravans loaded weight (MTPLM) should be within 85% of the cars kerbweight, i.e. a car with a 1600 kg kerbweight is OK for a 1360 Kg caravan, however many tow up to 100%. of a cars kerbweight.

You need to recheck your cars kerbweight from the manual or weight plate, as your quoted weights are probably incorrect. Any weight you add in loading the car should not be included in the initial calculation.

Thanks all, as I said knowledge of Hgv but comes to caravan completly clueless, but have checked plating on car with handbook as follows....

gross vehicle weight.         2170kg

gross train weight.              3970kg

maximum front axle weight.    1140

maximum rear axle weight.     1075

maybe this would clear up my figures I gave at start and make more sense, but do I use 85% of GVW to give ideal caravan weight as these are the only figures on car plate, as can be seen I got confused with figures, I far better with a 44 ton vehicle...lol, was told nose weight of 110 but think I stick about 90-100, 

glad to hear swan neck ok for alko as being fitting soon

thanks again all

My 168 bhp Mondeo Estate happily towed my 1440kg Lunar Quasar. I think that the ratio was around 90%. 

The 85% recommendation relates to the ratio between the mptlm of the caravan and the kerb weight. To consider other figures just confuses the situation unless you don't have the necessary categories on your licence, which I assume you have.

I think that, with driver and 90% fuel your mondeo will be arounf 1650 kerb weight.

About 88% which sounds fine. I tow at 87%

Just found info in handbook, 

"overall height at EC kerb weight including roof bars".       1502-1548, so going by this figure yes I'm close to 100% but yet this is height and not weight as there is no mention of weights within handbook, but as with any vehicle weights you check plate so looking at GVW I'm now close to 85%, now going to sleep even more confused by my own figures, just hope I get weights correct at work tomorrow...lol