Auto or manual for towing - Page 2

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 09-07-2015, 21:59

all our cars have been manual for towing though 25 odd years ago did have
an auto maestro 1.6 that towed well. did tend to hold the gears manually
to save the box searching which is the cause of them overheating.

would certainly consider an auto next, a former member with a 3 litre auto
terrano towed a twin axle caravan (aprox 1700kg) to spain every year. then
replaced it with an auto patrol.

marti666 · 11-07-2015, 17:53

I've towed with both and really there not much in it as long as your within the vechicle's limits but from a personal perspective I prefer Auto's due the fact less footwork esp in tarffic..... the idea of caravaning is to enjoy the whole holiday not dread the journey there and back....

Blocky10 · 11-07-2015, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by marti666

I've towed with both and really there not much in it as long as your within the vechicle's limits but from a personal perspective I prefer Auto's due the fact less footwork esp in tarffic..... the idea of caravaning is to enjoy the whole holiday not dread the journey there and back....

mmmmm kind of. I think the stressful leg aching terrible journey there puts you in the correct mood to throw up an awning

Auto every time for me.

marti666 · 11-07-2015, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blocky10

mmmmm kind of. I think the stressful leg aching terrible journey there puts you in the correct mood to throw up an awning

Auto every time for me.

We best not mention awaning erection even after a reasonable journey there's always arguements...... why is it as soon as you go to put up the awning everyone and their dog needs to go in the caravan.....

jims-terrano · 11-07-2015, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by marti666

We best not mention awaning erection even after a reasonable journey there's always arguements...... why is it as soon as you go to put up the awning everyone and their dog needs to go in the caravan.....

I remember it well, lol.

Then the trapped fingers as the poles drop off the side of the caravan.

Blocky10 · 11-07-2015, 20:04

For just weekends away, I only roll out the roof. Any longer I put the whole thing up.

firebobby · 13-07-2015, 16:27

Just got back from the Cotswold's, nice weather apart from today.
We haven't used a full awning in years, we have the bag type that rolls out and is done in less than 5 mins. We used it in France but have a screen that fits the front, to give a bit more privacy.

Paultrol · 26-07-2015, 11:07

I would not go back to a manual, Auto every time.
no flaffing about on hill starts, eat your sandwich with out having to change gear.
steep hills drop it into 2nd or at times 1st thats going up and down hills.
Been all over Wales in the trol towing 2000kg and 7 people no worries.

melissachels · 26-07-2015, 12:25

I've towed with both, manual terrano & auto surf. Definitely prefer a manual, even tho its more leg work, I just feel its more controlled especially downhill and you don't get the a/t oil light/overheating bother with a manual as rick said

micktheshed · 26-07-2015, 14:01

I've done many 1000's miles over the last 40 years using both.

Apart from the supreme ease of slow speed manoeuvring, faultless hill starts & the lack of clutch abuse whist doing both, the auto wins every time for uphill gear changes as there's no time lag to loose momentum. Under very trying conditions this can require two ratio drops, rather than one, whereas the auto is so quick only one ratio drop is required. These things are invaluable if (like me with a 1.6t 'van @ 50%+ use) a lot of towing is done.

Downhill engine drag is simply a case of selecting the correct gear, though I've always considered cadence braking the cheaper of the two options & use this in the main, in conjunction with either type of box (it helps if you have complete faith in you're brakes LOL).

The price is higher fuel consumption but, hopefully, no clutch replacement bill so this will help to offset it. I would prefer a manual during normal use though, if only for the (psychological?) sense of cornering control it gives.

The number of people I know that have changed to auto (for various reasons)
all insist (after a few months to get used to it) they would not change back; especially those that tow.
It's all about what you're used to, & what you find suites you & is more important personally, in the end.

robertpanama · 17-08-2015, 01:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by elty001

Not if you use the gears properly, drop it into 1 and turn overdrive off and it will easily hold a 2 ton trailer back on steep hills with very little braking.
I don't tow that much with my auto but when I do I never have any problems.

With the automatic, the use of the o/d lockout and 1 & 2 gears has allowed me to descend with almost no use of brakes. If you just leave it in D you will over use your brakes. My location is actually in the Republic of Panama, 2009 Patrol.

Daviduk1 · 03-11-2015, 15:48

Just ducked into this forum from Nissan Pathfinder having broken my clutch.

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/f...ad.php?t=25932

Interested to see the antipathy to auto boxes. More modern autos have a lot more than 3 gears don't they? My wife's mini has 6 and can either be driven as a full auto or manual (virtually) (I think it has an electric clutch but have not investigated further yet) Surely the more modern 4x4s have more than 3 gears don't they?

09-07-2015, 21:59	#16
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	all our cars have been manual for towing though 25 odd years ago did have an auto maestro 1.6 that towed well. did tend to hold the gears manually to save the box searching which is the cause of them overheating. would certainly consider an auto next, a former member with a 3 litre auto terrano towed a twin axle caravan (aprox 1700kg) to spain every year. then replaced it with an auto patrol. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

11-07-2015, 17:53	#17
marti666 Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Yorkshire Vehicle: Was a T2 but now a Hippo Posts: 92	I've towed with both and really there not much in it as long as your within the vechicle's limits but from a personal perspective I prefer Auto's due the fact less footwork esp in tarffic..... the idea of caravaning is to enjoy the whole holiday not dread the journey there and back....

11-07-2015, 20:04	#21
Blocky10 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Welcome to Norwich, a fine city Vehicle: 2004 Terrano 3.0 SVE Auto Posts: 3,601	For just weekends away, I only roll out the roof. Any longer I put the whole thing up.

13-07-2015, 16:27	#22
firebobby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Bucks Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2005 Posts: 3,499	Just got back from the Cotswold's, nice weather apart from today. We haven't used a full awning in years, we have the bag type that rolls out and is done in less than 5 mins. We used it in France but have a screen that fits the front, to give a bit more privacy.

26-07-2015, 11:07	#23
Paultrol Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South east Vehicle: Patrol Posts: 403	I would not go back to a manual, Auto every time. no flaffing about on hill starts, eat your sandwich with out having to change gear. steep hills drop it into 2nd or at times 1st thats going up and down hills. Been all over Wales in the trol towing 2000kg and 7 people no worries.

26-07-2015, 12:25	#24
melissachels Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Near Armagh, Northern Ireland Vehicle: half of a T2 2.7td swb Posts: 1,216	I've towed with both, manual terrano & auto surf. Definitely prefer a manual, even tho its more leg work, I just feel its more controlled especially downhill and you don't get the a/t oil light/overheating bother with a manual as rick said

26-07-2015, 14:01	#25
micktheshed Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: warwickshire Vehicle: Dec 2004, terrano 3l Auto Posts: 313	I've done many 1000's miles over the last 40 years using both. Apart from the supreme ease of slow speed manoeuvring, faultless hill starts & the lack of clutch abuse whist doing both, the auto wins every time for uphill gear changes as there's no time lag to loose momentum. Under very trying conditions this can require two ratio drops, rather than one, whereas the auto is so quick only one ratio drop is required. These things are invaluable if (like me with a 1.6t 'van @ 50%+ use) a lot of towing is done. Downhill engine drag is simply a case of selecting the correct gear, though I've always considered cadence braking the cheaper of the two options & use this in the main, in conjunction with either type of box (it helps if you have complete faith in you're brakes LOL). The price is higher fuel consumption but, hopefully, no clutch replacement bill so this will help to offset it. I would prefer a manual during normal use though, if only for the (psychological?) sense of cornering control it gives. The number of people I know that have changed to auto (for various reasons) all insist (after a few months to get used to it) they would not change back; especially those that tow. It's all about what you're used to, & what you find suites you & is more important personally, in the end.

03-11-2015, 15:48	#27
Daviduk1 Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Cheshire Vehicle: 07 Pathfinder Trek Posts: 48	Just ducked into this forum from Nissan Pathfinder having broken my clutch. http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/f...ad.php?t=25932 Interested to see the antipathy to auto boxes. More modern autos have a lot more than 3 gears don't they? My wife's mini has 6 and can either be driven as a full auto or manual (virtually) (I think it has an electric clutch but have not investigated further yet) Surely the more modern 4x4s have more than 3 gears don't they?