Auto or manual for towing

Soup dragon · 04-07-2015, 09:44

Morning all,
as per heading looking for a 2.7 to tow a 1200k caravan am I better off with a manual gearbox or is the automatic strong enough to cope, any advice well appreciated.
Cheers
Soup dragon

solarman216 · 04-07-2015, 10:03

manual for towing every time, the box itself may be up to it but the oil cooling often lets them down, Rick

emjaybee · 04-07-2015, 10:21

Always tow with a manual. Better towing capacity, strong gearbox, better control on down hill runs.

russell.huffer · 04-07-2015, 10:26

Auto why work any harder than you have to.

Kind regards

Russell.

emjaybee · 04-07-2015, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by russell.huffer

Auto why work any harder than you have to.

Kind regards

Russell.

Until it accelerates downhill and you burn your brakes out.

Manual every time.!

Banshee · 04-07-2015, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjaybee

Until it accelerates downhill and you burn your brakes out.

Manual every time.!

VERY good point!!!!!!! never thought of that

elty001 · 04-07-2015, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjaybee

Until it accelerates downhill and you burn your brakes out.

Manual every time.!

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.

Blocky10 · 04-07-2015, 13:35

My caravan is max at 1900kg and have had no problems with hills either up or down. The only problem is that Norfolk hasn't any so found some in Yorkshire!
When you need to maintain a steady speed down hill, first of all switch off the overdrive, which is usually enough, but if she's a steep one, brakes and back into second. Only had to do this once and the revs were up but could leave off the brakes.

rayf3262 · 04-07-2015, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blocky10

The only problem is that Norfolk hasn't any

The closest in Norfolk I can think of that resembles a hill, is Ketts Hill in Norwich!

Anyhow, I find the auto performs well when towing a 1300Kg van. If you keep a check on the speed the fuel consumption is not too bad either.

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 04-07-2015, 15:38

for terrano2 need to factor in trailer weight,

manual 2.7 2800kg , manual 3.0 3000kg.
auto 2.7 1700kg auto 3.0 2000kg.

these are official max trailer weights based on a restart uphill 1 in 8 gradient.

patrols are all 3500kg regardless of gearbox type.

Barrbeast · 04-07-2015, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas-the-Terrano2

patrols are all 3500kg regardless of gearbox type.

You sure bud? All the specs I've seen say 3500 manual Trol, 2500 auto Trol. That was one of the main factors in me getting a manual as I knew I would be towing livestock/horse trailers

firebobby · 04-07-2015, 17:48

I have towed with both and prefer the manual option.

elty001 · 04-07-2015, 18:21

I prefer manual for towing but I was just pointing out that driven correctly towing with an auto is also no problem as long as you know your weight limits and keep the transmission fluid at the correct level and in good condition

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 05-07-2015, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrbeast

You sure bud? All the specs I've seen say 3500 manual Trol, 2500 auto Trol. That was one of the main factors in me getting a manual as I knew I would be towing livestock/horse trailers

Sorry my error. Checked several sites and giving zd auto trol as 2800kg odd as green oval autos match their fellow manuals so some how along the way thought the big nissan did too.

Terrano Steve · 09-07-2015, 21:53

I am sure the Auto is more than capable of towing & stopping a 1200kg caravan.
Personally I would prefer to tow with a manual

04-07-2015, 09:44	#1
Soup dragon Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: google Vehicle: 2.7 terrano Posts: 15	Auto or manual for towing Morning all, as per heading looking for a 2.7 to tow a 1200k caravan am I better off with a manual gearbox or is the automatic strong enough to cope, any advice well appreciated. Cheers Soup dragon

04-07-2015, 10:03	#2
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,427	manual for towing every time, the box itself may be up to it but the oil cooling often lets them down, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

04-07-2015, 15:38	#10
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	for terrano2 need to factor in trailer weight, manual 2.7 2800kg , manual 3.0 3000kg. auto 2.7 1700kg auto 3.0 2000kg. these are official max trailer weights based on a restart uphill 1 in 8 gradient. patrols are all 3500kg regardless of gearbox type. __________________ 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!

04-07-2015, 10:21	#3
emjaybee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Oxfordshire Vehicle: 3.0Di SVE '05 5 door. Posts: 1,536	Always tow with a manual. Better towing capacity, strong gearbox, better control on down hill runs.

04-07-2015, 10:26	#4
russell.huffer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: South East Vehicle: Patrol 3.0 SVE Posts: 276	Auto why work any harder than you have to. Kind regards Russell.

04-07-2015, 13:35	#8
Blocky10 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Welcome to Norwich, a fine city Vehicle: 2004 Terrano 3.0 SVE Auto Posts: 3,601	My caravan is max at 1900kg and have had no problems with hills either up or down. The only problem is that Norfolk hasn't any so found some in Yorkshire! When you need to maintain a steady speed down hill, first of all switch off the overdrive, which is usually enough, but if she's a steep one, brakes and back into second. Only had to do this once and the revs were up but could leave off the brakes.

04-07-2015, 17:48	#12
firebobby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Bucks Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2005 Posts: 3,499	I have towed with both and prefer the manual option.

04-07-2015, 18:21	#13
elty001 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Aflreton,Derbyshire. Vehicle: 2000se+ 2.7tdi terrano II Posts: 6,832	I prefer manual for towing but I was just pointing out that driven correctly towing with an auto is also no problem as long as you know your weight limits and keep the transmission fluid at the correct level and in good condition

09-07-2015, 21:53	#15
Terrano Steve Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: South west Vehicle: Terrano Posts: 522	I am sure the Auto is more than capable of towing & stopping a 1200kg caravan. Personally I would prefer to tow with a manual