Ford S-Max Towbars

Ford S-Max Towing Specifics

The Ford S-Max was first introduced in 2006 by the American manufacturer as a large MPV, designed with strong towing abilities. Currently, there are two generations of the Ford S-Max, 2006-2015 and 2015 onwards. We will cover the towing specifics of both generations below.

Ford S-Max 2006-2015 Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a Ford S-Max 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 S-Max 2006-2015 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 S-Max year range 2006-2015 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 vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Ford S-Max vehicles made between 2006 – 2015 will require coding.

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

Bumper Cuts

Depending on the towbar, Ford S-Max 2006-2015 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 S-Max 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 S-Max vehicle manufactured between the years 2006 to 2015, the lowest nose weight is 80kg and the highest nose weight is 90kg. 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 S-Max 2006-2015 towbar can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For the Ford S-Max range, the towing weight capacity for the tow bars is between 1750kg to 2000kg depending on which towbar you chose.

You will need to check the towing limit for your S-Max 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.

 

The main differences that can be observed from the rear of the vehicle are

On the 2006- 2013 and the 2013 to 2015 facelift model, the rear lights have rounded edges, where as on the 2015 on models the light corners are not curved but angular.

Lower Bumper are black plastic on the 2006 - 2015 and have bumper reflectors, on the 2015 onwards there is less black plastic and the bumper reflectors are on the coded bumper section.

Ford S-Max 2015 Onwards Towbars

The Ford S-Max’s second generation was launched into the market in 2015. If you have a 2015 Ford S-Max 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 log book.

Ford S-Max 2015 Onwards Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a Ford S-Max 2015 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 S-Max 2015 onwards towbars, these could invalidate any manufacturer warranty you may have and will also require a bypass relay.

Check your Ford warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All towbars for Ford S-Max 2015 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 vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Ford S-Max vehicles manufactured 2015 onwards will require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, Ford S-Max 2015 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 S-Max 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 S-Max vehicles manufactured after 2015, have a minimum nose weight of 85kg and a maximum nose weight of 90kg. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the Ford S-Max 2015 onwards towbars can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. The towing weight capacity ranges between 2000kg to 2100kg depending on which Ford S-Max 2015 onwards towbar you chose.

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