Ford Kuga Towbars

Ford Kuga Towing Specifics

The Ford Kuga was first introduced in 2008 by the American manufacturer as a compact SUV, complete with impressive towing abilities. Currently, there are two generations of the Ford Kuga, 2008-2013 and 2013 onwards. We will cover the towing specifics of both generations below.

Ford Kuga 2013 Onwards Towbars

The Ford Kuga’s second generation was launched into the market in 2013. If you have a 2013 Ford Kuga it is important you correctly determine which model you have to ensure you get the correct towbar. You can find this information in your vehicle’s logbook.

Ford Kuga 2013 Onwards Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a Ford Kuga 2013 onwards vehicle are fitted with a dedicated electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit helps to guarantee modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors function correctly, while also helping to ensure that any vehicle warranty is not affected.

Although universal electrics kits are available for the Ford Kuga 2013 onwards towbars, these could invalidate any manufacturer warranty you may have and will also require a bypass relay.

Check your Audi warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All towbars for Ford Kuga 2013 onwards vehicles that are fitted using a universal electrics kit will require a bypass relay.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

A dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicle's software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Ford Kuga vehicles manufactured 2013 onwards will require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, Ford Kuga 2013 onwards vehicles may require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar. You have a choice of visible, non-visible and no bumper cuts for the tow bars offered with the Ford Kuga range.

Nose weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball. It is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the individual tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Any Ford Kuga vehicles manufactured after 2013, have a minimum nose weight of 100kg and a maximum nose weight of 105kg. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the Ford Kuga 2013 onwards towbars can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. The towing weight capacity ranges between 2100kg to 2150kg depending on which Ford Kuga 2013 onwards towbar you chose.

You will need to check the towing limit for your Kuga vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

How to identify which generation Ford Kuga you own, when on a change over year.

 

2008-2013 (Left image) - The area around the rear registration plate cuts upwards, the lower bumper spoiler has 3 grooves in it and the rear lamps have a white circular light on the inside edge.

2013-2016 (Middle image) - The area around the registration plate also cuts upwards, the lower bumper spoiler has only one grove that runs widthways, the rear lamps are more triangular with no circular white light and have the Red section at the top and the White section at the bottom.

2016 onwards (Right image) - The area around the registration plate cuts down, the lower bumper spoiler also has only one grove that runs widthways, the rear lamps are also triangular but the inner section is shorter and the Red and White section are reversed so they have the White section at the top and the Red section at the bottom.

Ford Kuga 2008-2013 Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a Ford Kuga are done so with a dedicated electrics kit, rather than a universal electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit not only ensures all modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors are functional but also helps to keep your vehicle's warranty unaffected.

We offer both universal and dedicated electrics kits for the Ford Kuga 2008-2013 towbars, but be aware that universal electrics kits can invalidate any manufacturer warranty your vehicle has and may also require a bypass relay.

Check your Ford warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All tow bars for the Ford Kuga year range 2008 to 2013 will require a bypass relay if universal electrics are fitted.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

Whereas a dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicle's software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Ford Kuga vehicles made between 2008-2013 will not require coding.

Coding is used to update your vehicle's software in order for it to run coherently with the new towbar through the dedicated electrics.

Bumper Cuts

Depending on the towbar, Ford Kuga 2008-2013 vehicles may require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar. You have a choice of visible and non-visible bumper cuts for the tow bars offered with the Ford Kuga range.

Nose Weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball, it is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. For any Ford Kuga vehicle manufactured between the years 2008 to 2013, the lowest nose weight is 100kg and the highest nose weight is 105kg. Nose weight varies depending on the towbar you choose and are displayed under each tow bar below.

Towing Weight

Towing weight is the weight that a Ford Kuga 2008-2013 towbar can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For the Ford Kuga range, the towing weight capacity for the tow bars is between 2100kg to 2150kg depending on which towbar you chose.

You will need to check the towing limit for your Kuga vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.