AUTO'S FOR TOWING?

[Malcolm2]

I have a Mitsibihi Carisma 1.8 automatic and would like some views on wether this would make a good tow car? Is an auto better than manual?

Regards Malcolm.

 

[DEANO3528]

I would doubt you'd have a very good experience with such a small engine. I don't have any torque figures for your motor but I do know that you lose around 40bhp through the drivetrain with the ZF 4 spd fitted to our RR. My manual Disco is a far better towing platform but I prefer the auto for offroading.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Malcolm,

Vehicles with automatic gearboxes are much easier on the driver especially when towing, and vehicles with modern automatic gearboxes give almost as good consumption figures as their manual equivalent - by modern I mean an integrated gearbox and engine controlled by the ECU.

www.whattowcar.com is a good site for information on what is possible with your car, how well it will perform under actual conditions, and make a comparison against a different car.

Robert

 

[DavidW1]

I too think you would struggle with any but the smallest van in a makers range - such as a Baily Discovery or the like.

Auto in a small car would I agree, sap too much power and you would probably find top speed and hill climbing very slow.

However, Auto in general I personaly find a boon for towing with much of the hassle removed.

Make sure you have a transmission cooler though, specially in a low powered car such as yours.

If you were to consider a lightweight pop up, such as an Eriba then I think you could tow with much less stress and have a lot of fun.

 

[rob_jax]

Malcolm,

David is right, you could have a lot of fun in an Eriba Touring - you could tow any model from the range with the possible exception of the Eriba Troll.

The pop-top design means less aerodymanic drag, the curved shape is also more aerodynamic than a square sided van, and with the pop-top raised you have plenty of space isnide.

However if you want a shoebox shaped van, you could also look at the KIP Vision, or the new Eriba Feeling - both are straight sided vans with a pop-top.

Robert

 

[Gary_5039903]

Look at the manufacturers specifications (specifically bhp and max. tow limit) which will give an idea as to whether the car has enough grunt to tow. I used to use a 1993 1.8 automatic Mercedes 190E to tow a 1992 Elddis Hurricane with no problems.

Also check with the manufacturer to see if an additional gearbox oil cooler is needed, an overheated auto box is a dead auto box!!!!

 

[Malcolm2]

Thanks for your comments. They are very informative. I checked with the local Mitsibishi dealer who told me that so long as I do not tow above the limit stated in the hand book I will not need an oil cooler.

Thanks again everyone.

P.S. My caravan is a Swift Challenger 400 SE.

 

[emmerson2]

Malcolm,I should get your dealer to put that in writing!If the car doesn't already have a gearbox oil cooler, you will need one.

I tow with a Range Rover auto, and temporarily disconnected the cooler cos it leaked. I towed my 26cwt Royale for 35miles on motorways and cooked the box. Cost me