Thinking of changing my car to a 4x4 with an auto box, would be really interested in anybody preferences or experiences of towing with an auto box, Also how good do they reverse my van is a elddis 524 with a max weight of 1325 kgs, COME ON EVERYBODY ENLIGHTEN ME !!
Towing with an automatic gearbox
- Thread starter glen_374237991
- Start date
On my first auot 4x4 Glen and totally converted. Take a look at the auto v manual thread currently running in towcars.
The relative merits have recently been aired at length as Richard said but to answer your specific question.
Reversing as well as creeping forward with an auto depends on the ground the tow vehicle is standing on and how long it's stood on it. If its soft ground such as a field and the wheels have slightly sunk into the ground then the auto needs some revs to pull it out.
The consequence is that when it breaks out it jerks a bit more than a manual does. Not a big issue just be aware of it and roll some distance before you come to the hitch to get both axles clear of the indentations. Otherwise precise control is comparable with a manual.
If you learn to left foot brake at creeping speeds the auto is excellent at precise manoeuvres. If you can't manage this use the low ratio box, but that again has its own characteristics that need learning.
Reversing as well as creeping forward with an auto depends on the ground the tow vehicle is standing on and how long it's stood on it. If its soft ground such as a field and the wheels have slightly sunk into the ground then the auto needs some revs to pull it out.
The consequence is that when it breaks out it jerks a bit more than a manual does. Not a big issue just be aware of it and roll some distance before you come to the hitch to get both axles clear of the indentations. Otherwise precise control is comparable with a manual.
If you learn to left foot brake at creeping speeds the auto is excellent at precise manoeuvres. If you can't manage this use the low ratio box, but that again has its own characteristics that need learning.
In the mid 80's I bought a Automatic Toyoto Carina and before I did the deal I researched whether the the auto gearbox was reliable or not as I was to tow with it. I was told that in America most cars were automatics and you had to place a special order to get a manual gearbox. I bought the car and the auto box never gave me any trouble at all.
I have since those days have always bought automatics and together with modern additions such as Cruise control, ABS etc. find that towing and manoeuvering have increasingly become easier. I now have a 4x4 with permanent drive to all wheels and in most instances find that I can pull out of muddy and poor land conditions. IMHO.
I have since those days have always bought automatics and together with modern additions such as Cruise control, ABS etc. find that towing and manoeuvering have increasingly become easier. I now have a 4x4 with permanent drive to all wheels and in most instances find that I can pull out of muddy and poor land conditions. IMHO.
As JTQ has said, always use low ratio when manoeuvering, either forward or reverse. The car will move virtually on tick-over, giving very precise control, especially if you learn left foot braking, which I always use, even in normal driving.
Towing a 12' caravan with an automatic Range Rover, I have never needed to use either low range or left foot braking, though I imagine both would have their place with a heavier tow, particularly on a lumpy field.
I would never use left foot braking in normal driving, as it could develop some dangerous reflexes if you then get in a manual (as I do all the time).
I would never use left foot braking in normal driving, as it could develop some dangerous reflexes if you then get in a manual (as I do all the time).
Never found that a problem, oldfogey. I also drive a Morris Minor,and Lgv2 vehicles. I don't see how it can be a problem, when one has three pedals and the other only two. Personal opinion only though.
Hi,
I have towed with both auto and manual and my Sorento auto is by far the best way. It is graet in stop start traffic and for pitching I never have to think about clutch wear. Would not go back to manual.
Other Clive
I have towed with both auto and manual and my Sorento auto is by far the best way. It is graet in stop start traffic and for pitching I never have to think about clutch wear. Would not go back to manual.
Other Clive
Oldfogey.....
Left foot braking is very easy even if you swap from auto to manual. You have to use the clutch in a manual and this is usually when slowing or accelerating. SO as you slow you have to use your right foot for the brake so you can cover the clutch if you have to change down. Because it is so different you do not confuse the two different vehicles.
I have raced cars and Karts. Non-gearbox Karts do not have a clutch so we run left foot brake and right foot acclerator. After a days racing I have never ever used my left foot for braking when I needed the clutch as well.
BUT the ability to control the car with left foot brake in a manual car can be very helpful especially in slippy conditions. All rally drivers use this and it stemmed from the old 1000 lakes rallys where the local Finnish and Swedish drivers we so quick in all the snow and ice. Even now Scandinavian drivers are among the best rally drivers in the world. Being able to control a car in all conditions can mean we have to adapt the way we drive to suit and left foot braking is part of that.
Left foot braking is very easy even if you swap from auto to manual. You have to use the clutch in a manual and this is usually when slowing or accelerating. SO as you slow you have to use your right foot for the brake so you can cover the clutch if you have to change down. Because it is so different you do not confuse the two different vehicles.
I have raced cars and Karts. Non-gearbox Karts do not have a clutch so we run left foot brake and right foot acclerator. After a days racing I have never ever used my left foot for braking when I needed the clutch as well.
BUT the ability to control the car with left foot brake in a manual car can be very helpful especially in slippy conditions. All rally drivers use this and it stemmed from the old 1000 lakes rallys where the local Finnish and Swedish drivers we so quick in all the snow and ice. Even now Scandinavian drivers are among the best rally drivers in the world. Being able to control a car in all conditions can mean we have to adapt the way we drive to suit and left foot braking is part of that.
I can't add anything to whats already been posted with the exception I would never go back to a manual box, towing or otherwise. I personally find driving much more relaxing and enjoyable now :O)
Automatic everytime for me from now on.
Automatic everytime for me from now on.
Go for it, Glen. Go get that auto box, while your at it find a nice desk job, change your pet snake for a Labrador, wear slip on shoes instead of Nike air wear. Don't forget to buy that nice safe electric razor and throw away that cut throat that's served you well up to now (and kept elastoplast in business). Start paying homage to cardigans, slippers and Val Doonican records, make a down payment on that electric 3 wheeler that can climb 9 inch curbs.
Or.
Say "hell to it", be a devil and have a manual because your not yet ready to use that adult sized romper suit that you saw advertised in a magazine stuck through your door.
Let me remind you that people who convert to auto, say that they won't go back to a manual because the auto has already sucked them dry, of the will to live.
Isn't it great that on this forum, you can remain anonymous?
You aint seen me, right.....
Or.
Say "hell to it", be a devil and have a manual because your not yet ready to use that adult sized romper suit that you saw advertised in a magazine stuck through your door.
Let me remind you that people who convert to auto, say that they won't go back to a manual because the auto has already sucked them dry, of the will to live.
Isn't it great that on this forum, you can remain anonymous?
You aint seen me, right.....
With Lol on this one!,If you want a 4x4 why don't you hand back your pension book and buy a VW Golf R32 or the Audi A3 3.2quattro equivalent, unfortunately for me the garage wouldn't accept the kids as part exchange and had to make do with an mpv
Glen.
Have you seen Lol and Gary's tow cars.
They have a man with a flag walking in front and a dickie seat up the back for the man with the oily rag. No power steering and cable braking and leaf spring suspension and three speed crash gear box's. Lol's horn can't work as his rubber perished long ago.
No syncro mesh or window washers for Lol and Gary they are "real m_________ " and keeping up with modern technolgy is beyond them.
Go for the Auto Glen and forget the Luddites comments ;-)
Have you seen Lol and Gary's tow cars.
They have a man with a flag walking in front and a dickie seat up the back for the man with the oily rag. No power steering and cable braking and leaf spring suspension and three speed crash gear box's. Lol's horn can't work as his rubber perished long ago.
No syncro mesh or window washers for Lol and Gary they are "real m_________ " and keeping up with modern technolgy is beyond them.
Go for the Auto Glen and forget the Luddites comments ;-)
Hi,
I tow a 1400kg Bailey with a Sorento 5 speed auto and would not go back to a manual. There is no problem of braek out from soft ground as you just put it in low ratio 4wd and it puts torque to all four wheels immediately. I lose a couple of mpg but that can be minimised when towing by use of the selectronic pseudo manual settings. But if I am honest it stays in auto most of the time except for hill descents.
I tow a 1400kg Bailey with a Sorento 5 speed auto and would not go back to a manual. There is no problem of braek out from soft ground as you just put it in low ratio 4wd and it puts torque to all four wheels immediately. I lose a couple of mpg but that can be minimised when towing by use of the selectronic pseudo manual settings. But if I am honest it stays in auto most of the time except for hill descents.
Other Clive, whilst not wanting to teach my granny how to suck eggs, I'd respectfully suggest that you'd find it better to use high range and let the autobox do it's own thing when pulling out of mud. Low range would give you too many revs, and increase wheelspin.
Hi,
I know what works for me , having tried both options. I can keep the revs low by a light right foot and this way all four wheels take up the drive at the same time. Car in normal drive to seelct all wheel drive can lead to some damage to site grass especially if it is an uneven site.
I do accept that when solo on the Kia the normal appraoch to mud is to leave it in its normal road settings which will seelct all wheel drive if required. In 2005 I took it across the Salisbury Ranges and Wiltshire Byeways and it justs got on with it.
I know what works for me , having tried both options. I can keep the revs low by a light right foot and this way all four wheels take up the drive at the same time. Car in normal drive to seelct all wheel drive can lead to some damage to site grass especially if it is an uneven site.
I do accept that when solo on the Kia the normal appraoch to mud is to leave it in its normal road settings which will seelct all wheel drive if required. In 2005 I took it across the Salisbury Ranges and Wiltshire Byeways and it justs got on with it.
Returning to the issue of left-foot braking, I was out in the Range Rover yesterday, and thought I would try it again.
Now I know why I had written it off; the pedal is too far to the right, leaving a very awkward angle for the left foot to get onto it.
Hence for me, in this car, it will only be for extremely occasional use in very tricky manouvering - i.e. if the ground is very, very, lumpy and I only have inches to spare.
In almost all circs, delicate throttle control is all I need.
Now I know why I had written it off; the pedal is too far to the right, leaving a very awkward angle for the left foot to get onto it.
Hence for me, in this car, it will only be for extremely occasional use in very tricky manouvering - i.e. if the ground is very, very, lumpy and I only have inches to spare.
In almost all circs, delicate throttle control is all I need.
I've always done left foot braking in manual cars and on old british bikes and use it when racing is a must.
When first driving an automatic car it just seemed silly having two pedals and two feet but only using one foot so I just tuned myself to left foot auto braking as opposed to left foot clutch action when driving a manual.
It's now just a natural thing and I can move between manual and auto's with no problem. Its just a matter of training yourself. You've got two feet so use them!
When first driving an automatic car it just seemed silly having two pedals and two feet but only using one foot so I just tuned myself to left foot auto braking as opposed to left foot clutch action when driving a manual.
It's now just a natural thing and I can move between manual and auto's with no problem. Its just a matter of training yourself. You've got two feet so use them!
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