The Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi with a Swift Challenger Sport 640 with an actual weight of 1742 kg is a match just suitable for most journeys but also with some limitations.
The motor preformance of the Ford is in general fairly good. But the weight of the Swift with a normally distributed User Payload (200 kg in the caravan and 200 kg in the car including passengers), is (too) heavy. Move the luggage from the caravan to the car and drive not too fast and carefully. Remember to load your caravan correctly, insuring that the noseweight of the caravan is sufficient and the weight is distributed properly. But even so, a starting caravan driver is better off choosing a smaller and less heavy caravan!
Flat roads
Towing Performance
217
230
Mountains
Risk of snaking
229
81
Weight ratio: 98% (110% of kerbweight)
1742 kg
1784 kg
Free does not exist
Good and independent information cannot be free on the Internet.
You can continue to use the TowCarCalculator by paying a contribution towards the costs of this website.
Please be so kind as to donate a small contribution to Caravantrekker for every useful calculation you made.
Thank you!
Number of useful calculations:
x
Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Swift Challenger Sport 640
Actual Weights
Swift Challenger Sport 640: 1742 kg.
Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi: 1784 kg.
Noseweight: 95 kg.
Actual weight ratio: 98%.
Performance
The engine's performance is generally good on flat roads (performance score to compare 217 points).
Speeds of 74 mph (119 km/h) to 79 mph (128 km/h) are often quite possible.
There is more than enough power at low engine speeds (score to compare 230 points).
Higher revs (1600 rpm) are usually not necessary on flat roads, under most circumstances.
Acceleration from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) is theoretically possible in 22.2 sec.
In the mountains the performance is generally good (score to compare 229 points).
No problems are to be expected on steep mountain roads. Hill starts are possible on steep slopes up to 15%, but do require some experience from the driver.
On motorway inclines higher revs (2800 rpm) are needed.
A speed of 62 mph (100 km/h) is usually possible on most motorway inclines.
Weight
The towing limit of the Ford is more than sufficient (check this in your vehicle documents).
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997, you will need a B+E (or B96) driving license.
Weight ratio between the laden caravan and the loaded car is 98%. Common in the UK: the weight ratio between the laden caravan and the kerbweight of the car is 110%.
The risk of snaking at higher speeds, strong side winds and thoughtless driving is great. Even if the combination normally feels stable, the forces by deflection side to side are so great that it could be dangerous. Only if the driver has a lot of knowledge and experience in driving a caravan it should be safe to drive slowly. Proper and careful loading is essential! An electronic stability system in the car and / or on the caravan is definitely recommended.
Recommended noseweight is 95 kg.
Safe speed up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Stability and safety score to compare is 81 points.
If the caravan starts to snake you should reduce your speed and slow down directly! Lift your feet off the accelerator and brake gradually. Hold the steering wheel into a fixed position.
Conclusion
Performance is fairly good.
Proper and careful loading is essential!
It's a fairly good match, only for experienced (caravan) drivers and with some limitations.
Influence of User Payload on stability
Weight distribution and noseweight are vital in obtaining a stable caravan.