Not purchased yet , but at planning and prep stage.

[specsndrumsnsausagerolls]

Some really helpful info on here for beginners like myself, thanks.
What's the situation regarding towing with an automatic car? I have a BMW 318i Touring petrol auto.
Also does anyone know if caravan insurance is cheaper for British brands and where's best to get quotes.
Thanks.

 

[Mr Plodd]

I have been towing with an auto for years, much better than using a manual. Others will disagree (of course)
As for insurance, shop around. I have used Caravanguard for many years as they offer me the best deal.
Others will recommend other insurers, so do your research. I don't think country of manufacture makes much, if any difference to premiums, value is the major factor.

 

[birdman101]

For the last 25 years of 50+ years I have had Automatics and would never go back to manuals not even for solo use.As above Caravanguard for years now.

 

[otherclive]

Same here I’ve had automatics since my Volvo 245 estate, circa 1986, so much better for caravans, and my last two solo cars were auto as is my present one. However I’m not a fan of twin clutch autos as in close quarter combat they aren’t as smooth as a conventional torque converter auto, or CVT auto.

Visit Towcar. Info a matching site. It gives very good output for assessing the suitability of a car caravan combination.

 

[Mr Plodd]

I would second otherclives comments, a "proper" torque converter auto is my preferred option.
I did have a, so called, "automatic" motorhome some years ago, a Mercedes "Sprintshift" it was actually a fully robotised manual. Wouldn't want to have towed with it.

 

[Beachball]

I also been towing with autos for years i find it more easier with my mobility issues
As for insurance we was with Caravan guard . they offered me a great deal but some on here might preferred others ones .

 

[Devonisheaven]

Don’t let the DCT v “proper” Torque converter debate confuse you, they both have their pros and cons. It is purely a case of what you prefer. But don’t be put off a DCT Auto, they certainly have a few pros over a “proper” automatic transmission. 👍

But most definitely, Auto all day long. I even consider manual transmission totally pointless now.

 

[otherclive]

Don’t let the DCT v “proper” Torque converter debate confuse you, they both have their pros and cons. It is purely a case of what you prefer. But don’t be put off a DCT Auto, they certainly have a few pros over a “proper” automatic transmission. 👍

But most definitely, Auto all day long. I even consider manual transmission totally pointless now.

View attachment 8728

I found my two dual clutch transmissions (VAG DSG and Kia DCT) very good for normal driving but combined with an electric handbrake which is either ON or OFF they lacked smoothness whilst in close manoeuvring and despite turning off Autohold they were still less controllable than previous torque converter or CVT automatics. A slope would exacerbate their shortcomings. A manual handbrake/parking brake would have improved their control ability but such combinations are few and far these days.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I agree that many DCT/DSG gear boxes can be jerky at manoeuvring speeds, but is a small inconvenience rather than a don't buy.

Whilst I haven't towed with it I do have a VAG PHEV Passat with DSG box, and where as my previous diesel Passat with DSG did have a slight jerk when moving off from a standstill, my PHEV is silky smooth, becasue it usually starts of with electric only. The Passat GTE estate (which in April 2025 is the only Passat now manufactured) has a towed weight limit of 1600kg. Whether this is on your list I don't know but for space and comfort solo (and towing) its a good combination.

The same drive train is also used available in the Skoda Superb, Kodiaq , and some Seat and Audi models. Worth a look?

 

[GaryB]

Towing with automatics used to be problematic in days gone by due to reliability through over heating, modern autos are great for towing. Rowing through a manual gearbox to keep the revs up on an asthmatic diesel is now in the past. Modern autos and modern petrol engines are just fine for towing providing you keep within the car's limits.

Regarding insurance, we always get a good deal from the Caravan Club.

 

[Bluetonic]

Also does anyone know if caravan insurance is cheaper for British brands

I believe that some caravans such as Hobby can be difficult to insure as they tend to disappear quite a lot

 

[Buckman]

Based on previous experience with a Ford Mondeo, our preference is to avoid any car with the DSG gearbox as that car was downright dangerous!.

 

[otherclive]

Based on previous experience with a Ford Mondeo, our preference is to avoid any car with the DSG gearbox as that car was downright dangerous!.

Mondeo did not have a DSG auto gearbox as that is a VAG proprietary name. Ford changed away from the notorious Powershift with the various law suits, and these days their auto boxes seem not to be giving such problems as the Powershift.

https://www.uk-car-discount.co.uk/news/the-rise-fall-of-fords-dual-clutch-powershift-gearbox#:~:text=Global%20Phase%20Out,dependability%20in%20everyday%20driving%20scenarios.

 

[IanB1485]

I Also have automatic. I drove and towed with manuals for +30 years ( mainly boats) and got my Mitsubishi PHEV in 2018 which is automatic , haven't a clue what sort of gearbox it has , but it's ace at towing, so smooth both at low and high speeds. I wouldn't go back a manual as they are pants in slow moving stop/start traffic which is a really common situation these days.

 

[Buckman]

Mondeo did not have a DSG auto gearbox as that is a VAG proprietary name. Ford changed away from the notorious Powershift with the various law suits, and these days their auto boxes seem not to be giving such problems as the Powershift.

https://www.uk-car-discount.co.uk/news/the-rise-fall-of-fords-dual-clutch-powershift-gearbox#:~:text=Global%20Phase%20Out,dependability%20in%20everyday%20driving%20scenarios.

Weren't they similar? The gearbox on our 2004 Volvo S80 had the same "lag" issue that the 2010 Mondeo had. Both cars were brand new when bought. Admittdly the Ford dealer was very good about it and admitted that they could not resolve the issue. We got a full refund on the car plus a refund for the towbar despite the fact that we alreayd had the car for 6 months.

 

[otherclive]

Weren't they similar? The gearbox on our 2004 Volvo S80 had the same "lag" issue that the 2010 Mondeo had. Both cars were brand new when bought. Admittdly the Ford dealer was very good about it and admitted that they could not resolve the issue. We got a full refund on the car plus a refund for the towbar despite the fact that we alreayd had the car for 6 months.

That Volvo was designed and developed prior to Fords ownership of Volvo, and it had a conventional torque converter gearbox. Fords dry lubricated Powershift did give problems but since 2018 they moved to torque converter autos

 

[Beachball]

I believe that some caravans such as Hobby can be difficult to insure as they tend to disappear quite a lot

Probably have to check if they take a hobby at this site we are looking at in June if so it go the list

 

[DaveA1]

Towed with an automatic for more than 20 years. No problems what so ever.

 

[Buckman]

That Volvo was designed and developed prior to Fords ownership of Volvo, and it had a conventional torque converter gearbox. Fords dry lubricated Powershift did give problems but since 2018 they moved to torque converter autos

That is what we thought, but it was the earlier models that had the convential torque converter box. The issue was with the software controlling the gear changes. OH refused to drive either car as had nasty scares in both of them despite there being a several year gap.

 

[Dustydog]

Last 12 years autos, both Torque Convertors but one an earlier generation.

Earlier DSGs like the Ford Powershift system tended to,use dry clutches .. There are still outstanding law cases against Ford . It cost them a fortune in the USA. Early failure and juddering.

The VW TC scores over most for a number of reasons.eg once warmed up and over 1200 rpm the TC locks up like a manual clutch so no,slippage or fuel waster. More importantly the actual gearbox ,Aisin , is smart and adapts to lots of aspects of driving.
Reversing and parking up with the TC is silky smooth.

A friend tows with a Skoda Superb DSG and reports no,issues.

Auto every time but beware of dry clutch DSGs. I believe most modern versions use wet oil,clutches.