Towing with Ford Falcon wagon

Submitted: Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 14:11

ThreadID: 79846 Views:7819 Replies:5 FollowUps:7

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Towing Techniques

Many people either tow trailers, campers, boats or caravans when they travel. When it comes to towing a trailer or camper on the trip, the traveller will now have much more storage space.

Geoff qld

Hi - I am new to caravanning and have just purchased a camper trailer. Am considering buying 2006 Ford Falcon wagon as it can tow 2300 - trailer only 1900. Wife does not like huge 4x4 vehicles. My query is: will the back door lift open when the van is attached? I hope to be able to access the esky etc when pulling over for a cuppa. Any advice will be appreciated.

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Reply By: Tenpounder (SA) - Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 14:23

Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 14:23

Hi. The simple answer is that it depends!!
The Falcon may have a factory towbar, or else a third party product. There's no reason to assume all towbars are the same.
Second, if your towbar has a 'standard' 50mm square tongue, then there are different lengths and lift dimensions, and there is no one standard dimension.
Third, the hitch could be a 50mm ball, or a Treg, or one of several others. The height above the tongue will vary heaps, depending on what hitch you choose.
So I suggest you will have to persuade the dealer or seller to let you try out the alignment before you buy. If the Falcon has no towbar fitted, then perhaps a visit to a towbar retailer would help?

AnswerID: 422983

Follow Up By: Geoff qld - Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 17:34

Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 17:34

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. Many sincere thanks Geoff

FollowupID: 693408

Reply By: Outbacktourer - Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 16:44

Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 16:44

If the trailer is an "on road" version with a 50mm ball hitch the answer is probably yes. If it is an "off road" version with an "off road" coupling the answer is probably no. That aside you will find the Falcon wagon an excellent tow vehicle and very comfortable and economical over long distances.

OBT

AnswerID: 422996

Follow Up By: Geoff qld - Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 17:38

Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 17:38

The trailer is an on road model - we intend to drive only on bitumen. I assume a Hayman Reese 2300kg+ set up will be suitable? Thank you for your reply. Geoff

FollowupID: 693409

Follow Up By: Outbacktourer - Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 17:57

Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 17:57

Hayman reese 2300KG set up is good because the standard square reciever allows you get the correct tongue to level the rig. If you can get the trailer wheels with a Ford stud pattern it would be good too.

OBT

FollowupID: 693416

Reply By: chingate - Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 18:05

Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 18:05

Falcon capable tow vehicle, but....

I've just had one for the last 2 years as work vehicle, and I hate it.

I'm average Australian height, 185cm, (6'2"), and find I cannot get comfortable. I also frequently bump my head getting in and out.

However, Falcons are capable, reliable, reasonable size, cruise well.

Note that the dedicated gas model is 25% less power.

AnswerID: 423010

Reply By: Road Warrior - Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 23:01

Sunday, Jul 04, 2010 at 23:01

The other thing to do if you get one of these is get rid of the factory transmission cooling system and run with a totally stand-alone trans cooler. BF auto trans had stronger internals than the BA unit, but the trans cooling circuit is still a weakness. Especially if you're going to maxing out the car's towing capacity.

AnswerID: 423042

Follow Up By: ChrisE - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 22:30

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 22:30

Partly agree.
If the wagon was optioned from the factory with the heavy duty tow pack the trans cooler is added as well (but still uses the in radiator cooler/heater as well - ie. it cools but it also heats up the trans fluid when starting in cold temps - so it does have a function in cold startup and getting trans up to operating temp).
A weakness in the circuit is the radiator itself, as it can crack internally (like all current radiators) and mix the engine coolant and trans fluid - happened on an aftermarket radiator in my XR, less likely if you stick to the black top I think.

FollowupID: 693571

Reply By: Stinz - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 11:02

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 11:02

We towed a Camel on-road camper trailer with a BF wagon. The tail gate opened up fine. There is ample power for overtaking and great fuel economy (we got around 12l per 100km's sitting on 100kmh on the highway). The only issue we had was that the rear end sagged considerably - but was solved with a load equalising hitch.

AnswerID: 423064

Follow Up By: DesF - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 18:12

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 18:12

Hi, My mate has just got a BF 2006 and we have found that the earlier model Poly Airs go straight on , the dealers etc will tell you they wont fit, but they do,
we have just come back from a weekend in the Flinders towing a H/D trailer with 2 lge trail bikes on it plus the back loaded with all the riding gear etc and it travells great,
He also has a rear door van and he has been on a test run and you wouldn't know it was on there.
He has fitted new injected gas system and that works great as well, we got about 6.8 ks to the ltr towing at a 100ks on gas, thats up thu the pass etc, we will have got heaps better coming home, but we have not filled up yet as he is doing a test to see what you get from the gas tank.
I have photo of the Poly Airs fitted but I cant put it on here ,
Can send to address if needed.
Cheers Des.

FollowupID: 693524