What is the "better" type of auto gearbox for towi
Thinking of changing to an Auto box tow car which type of gearbox is best for towing?
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Go for the Ford Kuga Titanium 180PS. It has 6 gears changing through 2 clutches one does 1,3,5 the other2,4,6. Its so smooth, I can only tell sometimes, even when towing, that it's changed up or down, by the rev counter. I tow a Unicorn 3 1500kg now with a 17 plate previously a 13 plate
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Another vote for the TC.
Others will probably do the job but the TC is head and shoulders above the rest.
I'm surprised you ask JV after all the other threads on the subject.
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much a matter of preference.
CVT continuously variable transmission, no specific gear ratios as such actual type depends on manufacturer. Uses metallic bands and variable diameter pulleys to vary gear ratios. Some use a torque converter to start off eg Nissan X-tronic but note that The tow capacity of an Xtrail drops by 500Kg with the CVT auto.
Robot gearbox basically a manual system with actuators for clutch and gearchange as on some vans. 6 speed
Dual clutch or DSG similar to robot but further developed, automated dual friction clutch, each clutch handles set gears eg Clutch1 = gears1,3,5,7 and 2 = 2,4,6 can have wet (Oil bath) or dry clutch. up to 7 speed.
Torque Converter, oil is used rather than friction material to transfer power from engine to gearbox on start, latest ones quickly lock in to gear in each ratio up to 9 speed (10 in US Ford)
My preference would be Torque converter, these used to have a MPG penalty but no longer, The advantage for towing is that engine torque is amplified up to 3x on pulling away. Tow capacity can go up with TCs eg Jeep Cherokee has a higher tow weight with auto than manual.
Then maybe a wet Dual clutch as these probably have a better wear characteristic for towing than the dry version.
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a live link for you ...... basically what viatorem said
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Are you getting some clues, JV?
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I have recently read a post that says Ford are going to phase out DSG boxes due to problems?
I have a cx-5 torque convertor box and am really pleased with it. There is however a 3mpg penalty due to transmission losses.
I do know that such as BMW auto don't penalise as much, but put that down to having 8 gears, mine only has 6, and could benefit from at least one more gear to drop revs when travelling over 70mph.
I forgot to mention that some autos will not tow as much as the manual version, Xtrail and CRV for two.
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A full auto gearbox is supposedly the best. I however currently tow with a 7 speed DSG Audi hauling 1,800 kgs and I am very pleased with it. It will be having it's oil change though about 5,000 miles earlier than the manufacturer recommended mileage.
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And another for the torque converter, would not bother with dsg or equivalent
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Not sure of all the technical details of the gearbox but my BMW X5 Sport (40d -313BHP) automatic box is so smooth you are hardly aware of it changing gear.
In addition it will hold 8th gear when towing 2000KG even up a gradient and when using the paddles on a long decent (eg in the Alps/Apenines) you get great engine breaking.
Fuel consumption is fantastic 50mpg solo and 27 mpg towing.
I use to be a Land Rover man but BMW is technologically advanced.
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It's a torque converter auto .....
How big a gradient ...... not all gradients are the same. Cant see it holding 8th up Birdlip Hill
Mmm? 50mpg & 27mpg ...... how do all these 2.5 tonne 4x4 cars all claim to do mega miles per gallon & mine does nothing like ..... unless your figures are out of the brochure ☺
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"It's a torque converter auto ....."
That figures.
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I've just acquired a C4 Picasso with 6-speed semi-auto. Basically it's a manual with a little robot doing the clutch and gears for you. But I can over-ride with flappy paddles. Only done one run so far but flappy paddles worked brilliantly. Bear in mind that the majority of us tow maybe 4-6 days a year and for the other 360-odd we can switch to "A" and get 55mpg - happy days!
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4-6 days? We used to tow near on 50 days a year. That puts a different light on getting by with a semi auto.
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The fuel consumption figures are genuine and based on my first 12000 miles both towing and solo. If one decides to select sports mode with launch control and run it as >100mph one would never see 50 mpg - more like 29mpg.
i used to tow with a Audi Q7 but it hunted up and down the gear box on the slightest gradient or when driving into a wind. When motorway driving in the UK my X5 will hold eighth gear all the time.
Not sure where bird lip hill is or its gradient, the point I was trying to make is it will hold eighth on all motorway driving. It is easy to see why this car one tow car of the year in 2016.
Are you towing with a X5?
regards
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My 1 litre Smart turbo only just manages 50mpg ...... My R320 does half of that knocking about.
If your car maintains 8th all the time it makes you wonder why BMW added the in between gears
Birdlip Hill is on either the A417 or A419 ..... you hear of accidents near the Air Baloon pub at the top of it on the travel news.
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Mollys Mummy
I believe the reason why the 40d engine is genuinely very economical is related to its high torque of 630N achieved at 1500RPM, with 460N being achieved at 1000RPM. Translated this means that it has sufficient pulling power to pull the caravan with an engines speed of 1200RPM in top gear. Naturally gears 1-7 allow to get the car up to speed, during this period of driving consumption is very high.
Thanks for the info about Birdlip Hill; while I was not aware of the name I travel up it once a month on my journey from Ediburgh to Tisbury (Wiltshire) to do my slot of baby sitting for my daughters children.
Regards
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https://youtu.be/4OSDw-uyP98
