Towing -> Towing a Trailer for Your Ford Kuga SUV Second Generation (2013-2018)

Towing  
The trailer vertical weight on the tow  
ball is essential for the driving stability  
of your vehicle and trailer.  
TOWING A TRAILER  
WARNINGS  
The vertical weight on the tow ball  
should be at least 4% of the trailer  
weight and not exceed the maximum  
permissable weight. See Capacities  
and Specifications (page 226).  
Do not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h).  
The rear tire pressures must be  
increased by 2.9 psi (0.2 bar) above  
specification. Do not exceed the  
Reduce speed immediately if the trailer  
shows any sign of swaying. See Trailer  
Sway Control (page 166).  
maximum pressure stated on the tire  
sidewall. This could cause serious personal  
injury. See Wheels and Tires (page 209).  
Use a low gear when descending a  
Do not exceed the maximum gross  
train weight stated on your vehicle  
identification plate. This could result  
in the loss of vehicle control, serious  
personal injury or death. See Vehicle  
Identification Plate (page 226).  
steep downhill gradient.  
Note: The maximum permissible trailer  
vertical weight on the trailer identification  
plate is the trailer manufacturers testing  
value. The vehicle maximum permissible  
trailer vertical weight may be lower.  
The stability of your vehicle-to-trailer  
combination depends on the quality of the  
trailer.  
Towing a trailer changes the handling  
characteristics of your vehicle and  
increases stopping distances. Adapt your  
speed and driving behavior according to  
the trailer load.  
Do not exceed the maximum  
permissible trailer vertical weight on  
the tow ball as stated in the vehicle  
specification chart. This could result in the  
loss of vehicle control, serious personal  
injury or death. See Capacities and  
Specifications (page 226).  
The anti-lock brake system does not  
control the trailer brakes.  
The gross train weight stated on the  
vehicle identification plate applies for road  
gradients up to 12% and altitudes up to  
3,281 ft (1,000 m) when towing a trailer. In  
mountainous regions the engine  
When towing a trailer:  
Obey country specific regulations for  
towing a trailer.  
performance decreases due to lower air  
density with increasing altitude. In high  
altitude regions above 3,281 ft (1,000 m),  
you should reduce the stipulated  
Do not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h)  
even if a country allows higher speeds  
under certain conditions.  
Place loads as low as possible and  
central to the axle of your trailer. If you  
are towing with an unloaded vehicle,  
you should place the load in your trailer  
toward the front, within the maximum  
vertical load, as this gives the best  
stability. See Capacities and  
maximum permitted gross train weight by  
10% for every additional 3,281 ft (1,000 m).  
Note: Not all vehicles are suitable or  
approved to have a tow bar fitted. Ask an  
authorized dealer for more information.  
Specifications (page 226).  
165  
Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing  
Towing  
WARNINGS  
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL(If  
Do not modify the trailer coupling.  
Equipped)  
Do not disassemble or repair the tow  
ball arm.  
WARNING  
Turning off trailer sway control  
increases the risk of loss of vehicle  
control, serious injury or death. Ford  
does not recommend disabling this feature  
except in situations where speed reduction  
may be detrimental (such as hill climbing),  
the driver has significant trailer towing  
experience, and can control trailer sway  
and maintain safe operation.  
Note: This feature does not prevent trailer  
sway, but reduces it once it begins.  
Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers  
from swaying.  
A 13-pin trailer socket and the tow ball arm  
seat are provided under the rear bumper.  
Turn the trailer socket down through 90  
degrees until it engages in the end position.  
Note: In some cases, if vehicle speed is too  
high, the system may activate multiple  
times, gradually reducing vehicle speed.  
This feature applies the vehicle brakes at  
individual wheels and, if necessary, reduces  
engine power. If the trailer begins to sway,  
the stability control light flashes. The first  
thing to do is slow the vehicle down, then  
pull safely to the side of the road and  
check for proper tongue load and trailer  
load distribution. See Load Carrying  
(page 162).  
Unlocking the Tow Ball Arm  
Mechanism  
TOW BALL  
WARNINGS  
When not in use, always transport  
the tow ball arm securely fastened  
in the luggage compartment.  
1. Remove the protecting cap.  
2. Insert the key and turn it  
Take special care when fitting the  
tow ball arm as the safety of your  
vehicle and the trailer depends on  
this.  
counterclockwise to unlock.  
3. Hold the tow ball arm. Pull the  
handwheel out and turn it clockwise  
until it clicks.  
Do not use any tools for mounting or  
dismounting the tow ball arm.  
166  
Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing