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Subject Topic: Manual or Automatic Gearbox
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Personidmainian
22/2/2014 at 3:53pm
 Location: Halifax West Yorkshire
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For the last 25 years that I have been towing caravans I have always had motors with a manual gearbox and I have enjoyed driving and towing with them.For the last 6 years I have been using a Nissan X trail 2.2 sport with a manual box,however last week we went out to search for a newer version and found one but it has a automatic gearbox this is no problem for me as I drive an automatic wagon for a living I just wondered if anyone had a preference or any bad experience while towing with an automatic our caravan is not very heavy a 2 birth Bailey Ranger     

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Sandy Gulls caravan site
Mundesley
North Norfolk
1st July to 22 July


Personblueexpo97
22/2/2014 at 4:21pm
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Here are the results from the search facility, obviously yours is included in the search.

I think you will find though that the majority of automatic owners, including myself, would now not go back to manual, and love towing with an auto.



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XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


Personchelseafc
22/2/2014 at 5:31pm
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Big mistake buying our automatic car specifically to tow our (now new to us) caravan. As we have driven automatics fore years living in the US we bought one here.

The c5 auto has a max tow weight of just 1300kg, its manual brother 1560kg......all because its an automatic.....torque converter  see 


Personrabb_uk
22/2/2014 at 6:04pm
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But its all down to the individual vehicle, not just because its a auto box, My unimogs rated towing capacity onrail is 350 ton...yep 350t,and all down to the auto box, But back to the original question auto all the way..

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Doing as little as possible for as much as possible...


Persongeoff+emmy
22/2/2014 at 6:44pm
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AUTO for one thing it's so much easier to reverse..


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PersonRob and Tina
22/2/2014 at 6:58pm
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Towing with an auto is much easier, auto with cruise control must be fantastic when towing.

Rob


Personalpiner
22/2/2014 at 6:59pm
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AUTO, every time.

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alpiner


Personlisterdiesel
22/2/2014 at 7:33pm
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There are more answeres than questions here, but our Discovery V8 with a 5-speed box is far better than the equivalent 4-speed automatic.

Reversing I have never had problems with, including our two LWB Renault Trafic vans and four-wheel trailer.

It's a comfort zone thing with most drivers, I prefer the options with manual, and not having to lock the auto in one gear to stop it jumping between gears and kicking down on full throttle.

Fuel consumption is generally better with manual, although modern boxes do have lock-up over 45-50 mph.

Peter


Personbigstu99
22/2/2014 at 7:45pm
 Location: Reading
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Manual all the way, like to have the most control possible and for my car the road tax is cheaper . Win win :)


Personjaiash
22/2/2014 at 7:52pm
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Auto every time. 8 ratios and manual control if you need to hold a gear for a while longer.


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PersonColin21
22/2/2014 at 10:32pm
 Location: East Herts
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Definitely auto. I have towed all sorts of trailers and caravans, with both auto and manual gearbox vehicles, and I certainly know which I prefer!

The torque converter is not a problem, it's an advantage. It has built-in, designed slip, which in effect gives you a gear lower than first when you need it. With the torque converter effect, you have the equivalent of many more gears than the box actually contains. The controlled-slip of a torque converter is not the same thing as slipping a clutch. Unlike slipping the clutch, it does no harm, as it is designed to work that way. When you get up to cruising speed, modern torque converters lock up, so there is no slip. This improves the fuel economy quite significantly.

There is no way it would ever consider going back to a manual gearbox, as it is too much like hard work, and for nothing! Possibly a manual on a sports car, just for fun, but for normal driving and especially towing - no way! However, I suppose it is down to personal preference really.

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Best Regards,
Colin


Personpompeyjon
22/2/2014 at 10:43pm
 Location: Notts
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Auto always Less stress and easy towing ..and yes i have held a licence since 1975... so can drive a manual(and Have ) or auto

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jon


PersonColin21
22/2/2014 at 10:51pm
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Likewise, pompeyjon. Showing my age now, as I passed my car test in 1966, and my PSV test in 1972 on a double-decker bus with a crash-gearbox. (Designed without syncromesh, for our younger drivers.)

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Best Regards,
Colin


PersonBMW52
22/2/2014 at 11:02pm
 Location: East Staffs
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8 gears in auto, could be 12 for all I know as never feel it change and never in the wrong gear. Auto makes all driving, towing or not, an absolute pleasure!

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Brian Walker


Personpompeyjon
22/2/2014 at 11:07pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 22/2/2014
Likewise, pompeyjon. Showing my age now, as I passed my car test in 1966, and my PSV test in 1972 on a double-decker bus with a crash-gearbox. (Designed without syncromesh, for our younger drivers.)



About the same time me got me bus conductors badge For real ...job between terms at college get where you coming from re gears and omg what would youngsters do without power steering

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jon


Personpompeyjon
22/2/2014 at 11:07pm
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Quote: Originally posted by BMW52 on 22/2/2014
8 gears in auto, could be 12 for all I know as never feel it change and never in the wrong gear. Auto makes all driving, towing or not, an absolute pleasure!




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jon



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