Auto or manual for towing

[Soup dragon]

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]

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

 

[emjaybee]

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

:thumb2

 

[russell.huffer]

Auto why work any harder than you have to.


Kind regards

Russell.

 

[emjaybee]

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]

Until it accelerates downhill and you burn your brakes out.

Manual every time.!

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

 

[elty001]

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]

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.
[emoji106]

 

[rayf3262]

The only problem is that Norfolk hasn't any
[emoji106]

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]

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]

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 :nenau

 

[firebobby]

I have towed with both and prefer the manual option.

 

[elty001]

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 :thumb2

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

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 :nenau

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]

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

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

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]

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]

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 [emoji37]

Auto every time for me. [emoji106]

 

[marti666]

mmmmm kind of. I think the stressful leg aching terrible journey there puts you in the correct mood to throw up an awning [emoji37]

Auto every time for me. [emoji106]

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]

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.