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Has anybody had experience of towing with an automatic car? Hubby is fancying a Renault Vel Satis 3.5 petrol but we don't know if autos are any good for towing caravans. All opinions welcome.

Annie

Auto's are very good for towing vans.

1) You won't stall when starting off.

2) You can concentrate more due to not having to change gear as this will all be done for you.

3) All you will have to do is point it in the right direction.

On the down side though they tend to like a bit more fuel.

Hope this helps

I have an auto ,my first,and got it mainly by chance.Now I am looking for a replacement and will only look at an auto.

Apart from what has already been said and with which I agree ,there is also the added advantage of being able to make difficult reversing moves without riding and burning the clutch.I have to reverse up a steep drive on a tight bend.

Some makes may need an oil coiler for towing ,so you need to check

We used to tow with an automatic volvo estate, brilliant! 

Only through ignorance we saw off the gearbox by not having a secondary oil cooler fitted.  That was some 15 years ago, but not being of a mechanical bent, I dont know if that still applies to towing with automatics

Jenny

Hi Annie

We tow with an Auto Subaru Legacy 2.4 Estate.  Absolutely superb just put it in drive and it takes everything in its stride.

Check manufacturers towing allowance some allow a lot less weight for the auto against a manual  eg Honda CRV manual max towing 1500kg  Auto max towing 1200kg

As stated previously check to see if oil cooler is required for auto box.

Hope this helps  Regards  Jim                                                  

All good advice.

So, Mondeo, auto or manual?

3.5 petrol ??

wow id hate to pay your fuel bills !!

Autos are, in my view, very good to tow with.