Towing With A 2.3

[Guest shashman]

Hi there folks. Newbie alert!!

 

Been reading a lot about people towing caravans on TDI's and v6's, but no-one seems to have posted about their experiences towing with a 2.3i.

 

If I'd have thought I was going to buy a caravan, I certainly would have bought the TDI because of the higher torque figures/mpg, but hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it?

 

I'd expect that any Galaxy would handle well with a caravan, simply because of the size and weight coupled with the suspension setup, but I'd also expect to have to wind the 2.3 engine up a bit to get it to go, with a consequent hike in the fuel consumption.

 

Will I get by OK, or do I need to think about swapping for a TDI?

 

Cheers

 

Shashman

[Guest rusty]

Hi there Shashman,

 

If you're concerned about performance and mileage I guess you'd never buy a caravan.

 

I tow a 20' caravan with a 1.9 TDi. Great towing vehicle 99% of the time. I don't bother checking the mpg when I do, it gets into single figures too regularly. But I must say that where I have been glad of the diesel, is nearing the top of long steep hills, where all thought of accelerating went out of the window miles back, but you still need to keep going to the top....... and the 1.9 just keeps chugging along.

 

Used to tow with a 2.0i Carlton.... the car hated it. Overheated and nearly died up the same hills.

 

What size van do you tow?

 

regards

 

Rusty

[Guest shashman]

Thanks Rusty,

 

I don't tow at the mo'.

 

Have been a committed camper for many years. Any Galaxy is perfect for carting that sort of gear around, but two kids and a massive frame tent, then bikes and stuff have led us to exceed the capacity of car + roof box - so caravan's the next step up.

 

I'm sure the 2.3 won't have a great problem towing, but I'd like to hear from anyone who's done it before.

 

Shashman

[Guest yurir]

On a similar thread, has anyone towed a van with a 2.3 auto ?

 

Would I need to get a transmission cooler fitted ?

 

Many thanks,

Yuri.

[seatkid]

On a similar thread, has anyone towed a van with a 2.3 auto ?

 

Would I need to get a transmission cooler fitted ?

 

Definitely ...unless you plan to sell the car quickly...

[Guest Actuary]

I towed with a 2.3 manual for several years and it was fine. Haven't yet towed with the V6 (and may not as lawyer has just advised me to "request" Ford to replace the car) so can't compare. Just took it easy and didn't expect to get anywhere fast going uphill. I always thought that the 2.3 was quite a gutsy engine for a petrol, just not as refined or ultimately as fast as the V6 (especially at the top end).

[Guest Trevor]

Hi Sashman,

I tow my caravan (1156kg maw) with a 2.3 manual on the bigger hills it lacks a bit in power but I have not had any other problems infact I still get about 20 mpg with the lump on the back two children and the wife and me in the car.

If you buy a galaxy petrol you know that the fuel costs are going to be high but apart from when the van is on the back the petrol version in my opinion is a lot more responsive than the diesel version.

 

Trevor.

[Dally]

Haven't yet towed with the V6 (and may not as lawyer has just advised me to "request" Ford to replace the car) so can't compare.

Why this advice?