Are cars with automatic gearboxes better for towing?
Discussion
We got our fist caravan last spring and have used the car my wife already had, a Freelander 2, for the towing duties.
She has been talking about getting a new car and there is for sale locally another Freelander 2 which would be ideal. It has a higher specification, it's newer, has lower mileage and already has a Witter removable tow bar. It is however an automatic, her current car is a manual.
I was under the impression that an auto was better for towing and although my car is an auto I've never towed with one. What do you reckon, would it be a good tow car?
The fuel economy will be worse and the road tax is higher, but she is happy with that.
She has been talking about getting a new car and there is for sale locally another Freelander 2 which would be ideal. It has a higher specification, it's newer, has lower mileage and already has a Witter removable tow bar. It is however an automatic, her current car is a manual.
I was under the impression that an auto was better for towing and although my car is an auto I've never towed with one. What do you reckon, would it be a good tow car?
The fuel economy will be worse and the road tax is higher, but she is happy with that.
Would be interested in the replies to this but above all else it must be less fatiguing for the driver especially if on a congested route.
My Dad's last tow car was a Volvo with an auto and that had no problems. It's still going strong now (P reg), my brother took it on as a tip / dog walking car.
My Dad's last tow car was a Volvo with an auto and that had no problems. It's still going strong now (P reg), my brother took it on as a tip / dog walking car.
Years ago it was good practice and recommended to fit an additional transmission oil cooler if an automatic car was used for towing.
I don't know if that is still the case but it is something to consider. It depends what kind of auto it is, if a tiptronic (duel clutch) type auto then it shouldn't be an issue.
I don't know if that is still the case but it is something to consider. It depends what kind of auto it is, if a tiptronic (duel clutch) type auto then it shouldn't be an issue.
Think it makes little difference nowadays with some proviso's.
A boiled a gearbox on a W210 by making progress with a caravan on the back. I was pushing it, it was a big caravan - and was fine after it cooled down.
Never struggled with any of the other cars - the only annoying part being a bit of hunting at certain speeds - but it's easy to lock down to the lower gear when this happens.
A boiled a gearbox on a W210 by making progress with a caravan on the back. I was pushing it, it was a big caravan - and was fine after it cooled down.
Never struggled with any of the other cars - the only annoying part being a bit of hunting at certain speeds - but it's easy to lock down to the lower gear when this happens.
Balmoral said:
I would have thought that the same pros/cons apply as for driving an automatic solo, especially for manoeuvring and reversing.
That reminds me.. That little 2 -3 inch 'rock' that some cars do when you put them in Park, is a pain in the arse when trying to hook up to the car..I would say that the automatic would make a better tow car, I am new to caravanning and have limited knowledge, but in my experience with a manual car heavy traffic and hill starts at junctions are challenging, it must be so much easier to not have to keep slipping the clutch and let the auto box look after it,it might be better if your car has a low ratio box, I remember backing the caravan onto a plot up a slight hill and you could smell the clutch, now I just pull up alongside and use the motor mover, it takes the stress off the car.
I tow with a 520d BMW auto - its a doddle and makes close quarter maneuvering easy too. I also own and drive a manual (its a Mustang so possibly not what you would want to use for towing) but even so I would actively choose an auto over a manual for towing duties. The issue of oil ccolers has been much debated (look on the some of the dedicated camping/caravanning websites). The general view appears to be that it might be relevant if you tow in Alps all the time or are perhaps towing at maximum weights but if you operate within sensible parameters you should be fine.
I did research what BMW did so long back that I can't remember the details but I think it was actually an uprated cooling fan rather than anything else - again unlikely to be necessary unless you are heavily loaded somewhere very hot and hilly perhaps
I did research what BMW did so long back that I can't remember the details but I think it was actually an uprated cooling fan rather than anything else - again unlikely to be necessary unless you are heavily loaded somewhere very hot and hilly perhaps
Towed with 2 XC90's, both autos for the last 4-5 years and had no problems.
Caravan is just under 1500kg fully loaded and we have 3 kids and 5 bikes on the roof.
So much easier than the manual towcars we had before.
No issues with overheating but I wouldn't expect any with modern auto boxes.
Caravan is just under 1500kg fully loaded and we have 3 kids and 5 bikes on the roof.
So much easier than the manual towcars we had before.
No issues with overheating but I wouldn't expect any with modern auto boxes.
Robertj21a said:
Interesting comments. I don't tow anything but a friend went on one of those Caravan Towing Training courses last year and they were very clear that a manual gear change would be better (no idea why).
I think the problem is that individual people will have a preference, in this country it was towards manual gearboxes for a lot of years, but it is slowly changing, my son who was dead against auto boxes purchased a BMW 3 series with an auto box , now he would not go back, I also have my concerns about the new DMF clutches. My personal preference for driving pleasure is a manual gear box. My every day vehicle has an auto box whilst my weekend car is manual.
After our last weekend away with the caravan in October the slave cylinder failed on my wife's car the day after we returned. This meant a new slave cylinder and clutch.
I don't know if towing the caravan could have caused this as there is a particular tee junction that is on hill, on a corner that is murder on the clutch of any vehicle ,that we have to contend with when we go to our favourite site in the Lake District.
After our last weekend away with the caravan in October the slave cylinder failed on my wife's car the day after we returned. This meant a new slave cylinder and clutch.
I don't know if towing the caravan could have caused this as there is a particular tee junction that is on hill, on a corner that is murder on the clutch of any vehicle ,that we have to contend with when we go to our favourite site in the Lake District.
PH5121 said:
My personal preference for driving pleasure is a manual gear box. My every day vehicle has an auto box whilst my weekend car is manual.
After our last weekend away with the caravan in October the slave cylinder failed on my wife's car the day after we returned. This meant a new slave cylinder and clutch.
I don't know if towing the caravan could have caused this as there is a particular tee junction that is on hill, on a corner that is murder on the clutch of any vehicle ,that we have to contend with when we go to our favourite site in the Lake District.
off topic but which site is it in the lake district ? we are always looking for new ones. intend going to one one the side of the lake on coniston this year.After our last weekend away with the caravan in October the slave cylinder failed on my wife's car the day after we returned. This meant a new slave cylinder and clutch.
I don't know if towing the caravan could have caused this as there is a particular tee junction that is on hill, on a corner that is murder on the clutch of any vehicle ,that we have to contend with when we go to our favourite site in the Lake District.
I've towed a van with a Freelander 2 automatic many times with no problems. Pulling a 1600 kg 4 berth van.
Always pulls well, never the smell of burning clutch as you try to do that tricky, uphill, around the bend, backwards manoeuvre. The auto let's you be quite precise with small movements. You can hold gears manually if you ever feel the need.
They are designed to tow up to their maximum train weight in higher temperatures than you will find in the UK and Europe, so no additional cooling required.
Always pulls well, never the smell of burning clutch as you try to do that tricky, uphill, around the bend, backwards manoeuvre. The auto let's you be quite precise with small movements. You can hold gears manually if you ever feel the need.
They are designed to tow up to their maximum train weight in higher temperatures than you will find in the UK and Europe, so no additional cooling required.
GreatGranny said:
Towed with 2 XC90's, both autos for the last 4-5 years and had no problems.
Caravan is just under 1500kg fully loaded and we have 3 kids and 5 bikes on the roof.
So much easier than the manual towcars we had before.
No issues with overheating but I wouldn't expect any with modern auto boxes.
Why would you put the kids on the roof? Caravan is just under 1500kg fully loaded and we have 3 kids and 5 bikes on the roof.
So much easier than the manual towcars we had before.
No issues with overheating but I wouldn't expect any with modern auto boxes.
Towed my Superstorm (1800kgs) with an auto A6 which was a joy, with a manual Pathfinder which was ok and with my current Q7.
Having recently completed a 450 mile round trip p/xing it for a Buccaneer Caravel (2000kgs) I can say it is a far more relaxed tow with an auto.
Something to think about as I drive a wagon for work and most wagons etc now are automatics of some form as it cuts down on clutch wear and is often more economical.
Having recently completed a 450 mile round trip p/xing it for a Buccaneer Caravel (2000kgs) I can say it is a far more relaxed tow with an auto.
Something to think about as I drive a wagon for work and most wagons etc now are automatics of some form as it cuts down on clutch wear and is often more economical.
I got the caravan back from storage at the weekend, the first time I've towed with the wife's new automatic Freelander and it pulled it a treat. My wife moved the 'van on the drive and has said that she'll have a go towing as it is easier with the auto box.
I also discovered that her new car has a switch for disabling the parking sensors which is great as the beeping when reversing always made it hard to hear the directions that my wife would shout at me when parking (and the beeping was bloody irritating too).
I also discovered that her new car has a switch for disabling the parking sensors which is great as the beeping when reversing always made it hard to hear the directions that my wife would shout at me when parking (and the beeping was bloody irritating too).
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff