Auto tow cars

Well, can’t speak about the technicalities of exactly what type of gearbox, but I had a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe with absolutely zero trouble. Now changed to BMW X5 last September . Limited towing so far but very good as far as I can tell. Got it for more power with heavier van.

Neither vehicle of course had done the mileage yours had.

'Tiptronic' is a red herring. There are 'proper' slush box, torque converter autos that have flappy paddles to manually change gear eg my ML Merc but there are also automated manual gear boxes with flappy paddles eg VW's DSG & I think your Ford Kuga.

I would not tow with an automated manual .... though many here do so

The torque converter auto boxes are the old tried and tested and, in many people's view, the best.

Dual clutch boxes, CVT, and automated manuals have often been found to be lacking either in performance or reliability.

It's noticeable that the motor industry is gradually moving back towards the good old TC boxes, including some of the French offerings, and I think I'm right in saying that Hyundai and Kia have always used them in their bigger cars - Sante Fe and Sorento. That's where I'd start looking, B&W, and always get the salesman to find out what sort of box is used.

The trouble with asking the sales staff is that they don't always know their ar5e from their elbow. I asked about Kia' s autos at 2 different places & got 2 different answers  😉

That's why I said "get the salesman to find out"🙄. That is, ask a man in the workshop.

The reality is that Ford’s copy of the VW DSG box is poor and unreliable, (just search on Honest John) hence they have now reverted to T/C skushbox. The VW DSG comes in 2 versions, dry and wet clutch. The former is cr8p, the latter is fine as long as it is regularly serviced (40k miles). I believe the same applies to the Ford version insofar as they need regular fluid and filter changes as does the Haldex 4wd differential. I have had 2 VW group cars with wet clutch DSG towing to over 100k miles without any problems. my current tug, Volvo automatic has a T/C box but it is still unofficially recommended to have a fluid change every 50k miles or so if towing. 

best source for info for any car is to look at a forum dedicated to that brand. So search for a Ford UK forum to get a better informed response.

That's what I did at the 3rd Kia dealer 😉

It's what I always do, ED, either directly or via the salesman.

I have towed with an automatic for the past 20 years. The first 8 years with a torque converter ('slush' box) then 7 years with a CVT and 5 years now with an automated manual. Couldn't fault any of them.

I have driven and towed with VW DSG cars since 2009 (a Passat and 2 x Tiguans) and never had any trouble.   I have towed all over Europe, over the Alps and as far as Croatia.  The OP has been very unlucky!