[charlieparker]

I'm just about to buy a Bosal detachable towbar for self fitting. The supplier offers two types of electrics, their own, including bypass relay at £26 or vehicle specifc electrics at £121! Why such a huge difference? I don't want to invalidate the warranty so which one should I go for?

 

[Rspannerman]

Has the Bosal towbar got stability assist built in? This sould be in the towbar wiring so i would go for the expensive option if you are going to pull a caravan.

 

[charlieparker]

How does stabilty assist work, surely a towbar is just a towbar! What could you do to a towbar to make it more stable?

 

[Rspannerman]

The Stability assist works by looking at different sensors that are built in to the Kuga and if a problem is detected it starts to decrease power and or brake the Car to reduce the swing of the trailer. It does work with the genuine ford towbar speaking from experience

 

[the Bear]

learn something new every time I log on Iwas very impressed with my kuga now i'm even more impressed nowing it can do that

 

[Basil]

My garage confirms the info given by Rspannerman concerning the Trailer Stability Assist, but the technician went even further - apparently even when driving solo if the Kuga senses that it is cornering too fast and is about to roll, the brakes are selectively applied to prevent the vehicle from tipping. He reckons that they are virtually impossible to roll, but I am not about to test this one out ...


Incidentally, there appears to be a shortage of genuine Ford towbar kits. I opted for one, in order to ensure the benefits of Trailer Assist, and put it into the local Ford Garage for fitting. It came back with an apology - once they sorted the bits for the towbar supports they found some pieces missing. They then tried all UK Ford agents, without success, and then all agents in Germany - again without success. The bits are now on back-order in Germany, with predicted 4 week wait. I hope that none of you are planning a summer holiday that revolves around caravans/trailers ...

 

[Woodman]

This a repeat post as the one I submitted yesterday has disappeared!! I am about to receive my new Kuga in early January (maybe !!)with a factory fitted removable towbar. Has anyone had a factory fitted one as there has been a lot of info as to Ford not wiring all pins and others where they say they wire pin 9 and 10 to the wrong supply (ie fridge not via ignition ). It is only FACTORY fitted ones not Ford dealer fits I am interested in. Yes i will be able to test once i get the car but would be good to know the standard if anyone has one

 

[Kujonga]

Hope I'm not highjacking the thread here, but I too have a dilemma re Towbar fitting.
I went on-line to the Towequipe site with a mind to buy my own kit for a DIY fit. Their cheapest quote for a Kuga is £106 incl ball and single electrics. For a Kuga specific wiring kit (simply plug in) with all necessary relays there is a separate price of £57 ( down from £199!!) . So I could get a complete easy fit kit for about £150, (Witter).
For a Brinks towbar plus £57 electrics the total cost would be about £212 ( Is there a reason a Brinks towbar is more expensive than a Witter? --- other than special offer?)
Anyway I thought I'd check with our local professional towbar fitters and their price fully fitted and guaranteed to be reliable and fault free for 5 years for a Brinks towbar and 7 pin electrics same as OE equipment was £377. I queried their price and they came back to me with serious warnings about fitting cheaper kits (well they would wouldn't they). They did however refer me to other online sites which gave similar warnings. The warnings were along the lines of the electrics interfering with the car's own systems, the ECU not detecting the presence of a towed vehicle with subsequent effecdts on the cars systems ( eg brakes, intelligent AWD, lights (levelling and bulb failure detection) etc etc.
They went on to say that they frequently had to sort out reliability problems with self-fit kits and that the final cost was often more than if the professionals had fitted it.
Now I know that they are bound to be protecting their business, but I also know that lots of you guys on here have fitted your own kits with (seemingly) no problems. So what would be your recommendations??
For the sake of about £150 is it worth the hassle and possible future issues? I just don't know, although my current tendency is to go for the pro kit. I await the your combined wisdoms!!

 

[AMC1]

I bought a Westfalia detatchable with single wiring from Towequipe. Thought seriously about fitting myself but their recommended local fitter quoted £110 all in, so decided it was not worth the hassle and potential future issues.

Have you looked at PF Jones for an alternative quote?

 

[Kujonga]

In the absence of any advice on here, I went ahead and had a Brinks swan neck towbar and Kuga specific wiring from the local fitter mentioned in my OP. For total peace of mind I think it was worth it.
I think it probably depends on what you intend to tow, if your towing caravans or larger trailers then its DEFINITELY worth it unless you really know what you're doing (which I dont!) For the anti-snake alone it must be worth it.

 

[AMC1]

Agreed, and I only use it for a bike rack!

 

[KugaSpud]

Just found this towbar supplier/ fitter web site, which hopefully explains a little more about having a "specific wiring kit" fitted to your motor.

http://www.towriteupminster.com/#/dedecated-wiriing-looms/4549815633

For me its the trailer detection system that caught my eye, but does this happen with the Ford Factory fitted unit ?




Edited by: KugaSpud

 

[Woodman]

Hi Kugaspud......yes the factory fit unit comes with AST built into the car so can detect a caravan is attached and switch off reversing sensors and rear fog lights on the tow vehicle and switches in the anti sway detection which it does not on after market tow bars hence I had the factory fit. Gentow at Telford specialise in the extra cables which wire up pins 9/10 which are not connected on German built vehicles and done in such a way that all services of original are kept in tact. I am having mine done on Monday so will report back as they have all the kit to test the Kuga. The Ford fit installation is very neat and easy to use with both both plug and Towbar completely invisible .

 

[Woodman]

Towbar fitted...(.yes key needs to be removed )

 

[Woodman]

And removed....very pleased with cut out and fit

Edited by: Woodman

 

[KugaSpud]

Nice 1 Woodman,

Thanks for the quick response and yeah like the fact its all hidden.

When I get round to it I'm going for the Westfalia removal / hidden unit, but just need to make sure the "specific wiring kit" (13 Pin) from Towequipe for £83, does all those fancy things, as its alleged RRP is £295 !!

Thanks again,

KS.

 

[Woodman]

I am paying £83 for the loom just for the two extra pins to be wired but includes an hours labour. The GENTOW site is worth a visit as they are specialists in Towbar and towing electrics hence travelling 125 miles to get the service...still a nice run for the new car....250 round trip

 

[Kujonga]

Further to my earlier post here is some more info regarding the importance of having a Kuga specific wiring kit and programming the ECU to suit is contained at www.rightconnections.co.uk/viewpage.php?page id=32
This convinced me not to cut corners for the sake of a few quid. The Kuga, as I'm sure you all know (or are perhaps beginning to realise) is a very very clever piece of kit.

 

[Woodman]

As promised just returned from Genisis Towing at Telford....what a superb organization/facility.Took my brand new Kuga with Production line fitted electrics which means pins 9 and 10 not wired. Genisis do a dedicated lead to hook up the extra function and yes there are big difference in looms and relays hence there is a big difference in price. I delivered my car as arranged and 1 hour later car was good to go. From a comfy lounge you can watch the whole process at all stages they explain the activities and allow inspection at stages. Courtesy car available for shopping at Telford.Want a tow bar or electrics this is the place to have it done.....the best example of service and product i have seen in a loooong time ! highly recommended them