Clutches
Comments
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No matter how “die hard” they are, they’ll have great difficulty in answering your ‘how long is a piece of string’ question.
If people could tell you, they would. I think you’ll just have to make your own mind up, GC. Good luck.
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Agree with Tinwheeler, on a car forum I belong to some have reported clutch failure as low as 20,000 miles and others still going at 80,000 miles and more. Both solo driven so there is no answer other than treat the components with respect, and pray to God the next vehicle will be a two pedal TC
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So which dealer/salesman told you that you have a CVT. The reason that you "pull a 1800kg van without a cough/twich/judder or anyting just a smooth ride towing and solo." Is probably because you have a ZF 9 Speed TC auto box similar to the one in the LR Evoque and Disco Sport, as far as I know only the Dodge Caliber, Jeep, Compass, and Jeep Patriot were fitted with a CVT with 6 artificial steps.
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I have had no trouble with my Powershift Kuga's auto transmission, tows 1550KG very well. No problems reversing either.
It is a little quirky but you soon learn to overcome that, dropping in to sport at roundabouts etc.
Transmission needs to be serviced ever three years (oil and filter change), other than that I can't fault it.
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Back in 2012, we looked at new cars for the first time. We tried a Kuga with power shift and didn't like the way it changed gear. not unlike trucks I have driven. We ended up with a VW Tiguan 2 litre Diesel 7 speed DSG. Have to say most of the time it was fine but let it really get hot in traffic and it made some very rough gear changes.
Current car (Freelander 2) with 6 speed auto with TC with lock up clutch is flawless.
I can only speak from my experiences and from what I know from working in the industry but If CVT was a viable option it would have been introduced by now. Most PSV systems use either a ZF, VOITH or Alison gearbox with a torque converter that has a lock up function. The Truck Industry tend to follow the automated manual system with the exception of Dustcarts, Road sweepers etc where the auto with TC seems to employed.
I do think that a CVT system with programmed steps is a bit misleading as the whole idea of a CVT is it is completely variable given driving and road conditions and not limited to a given amount of ratios.
Just thought I would also add I have never worn out a clutch or had to replace it on any manuals I have owned
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Thank you thank you milothedog your last paragraph was all I was looking for.
Thanks to harrib0 as well.
All I was asking for was people's experiences, not their guestimates of how they think their choice of towcar will perform.
As TW said, guess I'll just have find out myself.
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I can’t remember the last time I had a clutch changed on a car.
PS. I buy new, or nearly new, and don't keep them very long and haven’t towed with a manual for 20 years. Nope, it doesn't help you at all.
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Just a question, no more, but why do motorhomers not suffer from clutch problems to the degree that tuggers seem too! I remember my tugging days and clutch slip and 'fried ferodo' was a constant concern. Even these days you can often smell those new arrivals on site!
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I have had only 4 manual tow cars in 35 years of caravans. The first one, high mileage 4 year old, I sold after 3 years as I had chance of good deal on next car which I got at 3 years old and gave to daughter 10 years later. Next one from 4 year old until a write off 10 years later. Present one 12 years old.
Not experienced any clutch problems
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I believe that is one of the easier questions. Motorhomes unless towing a toad etc are handling 100% or just a little less than their designed gross vehicle weight.
Domestic cars towing caravans are hauling generally between 185% and 200% of their designed gross vehicle weight. That they fail all too readily working far over their optimised design point is no surprise to me.
Plus the auto reverse brake on caravans can make life far worse for the clutch when reversing up inclines where the van wants to roll forward.
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before we had a motor mover we always got a smell of clutch after reversing but since having one (2003) we always let the motor do the reversing every single time and no more smell.
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We have a manual Jeep Wrangler, owned it 16 years, towed caravans and trailers tens of thousands of miles in that time, and up hills like Haldon, some of the biggies up here in Yorkshire. Still on original clutch. Depends on the driver more than anything else, I should think. We have watched (and smelt!) a few clutches pushed to destruction on a few campsites down the years.
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The Wrangler is though a vehicle aimed at users where a bit more ruggedness in its transmission etc is expected than say we would expect in a family saloon or the sudo SUVs.
That said I agree a lot depends on the driver and their sensitivity to what is happening, rather than the blindly thrashing it type.
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I have been towing now for more than 35 years and every car prior to my current one was a manual gearbox. Most had high mileage when I sold them, one being in excess of 200,000 miles. I never had any problems with any of the clutches. I did have a main bearing collapse on my Rover 800 gearbox but I am not convinced that had anything to do with towing. I think it really comes down to a combination of correct use and a little bit of luck.
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Thanks guys, great response.
See TW ?? Opinions given and appreciated!!
That's made me a little more relaxed about getting a stick shift.
Thank you hope everyone has a great Christmas, and a prosperous and eventful new year.
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Thanks for the comment fella, but you wouldn't get over 30mpg solo in the later model GC, plus the massive road tax bill.
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Having been a club member for 46 years I have done a bit of towing. Until 4 years ago I had manual transmission. No clutch problems but it has to be said that method and car sympathy greatly influence how long a clutch lasts. One vehicle a BMW 3 series manual I kept for 80,000 miles without problems including towing.
I now have a BMW X1 automatic. This is a ZF 8 speed box with a torque converter and it locks up from 2nd gear on. The box is rated to tow up to 2.0 tons so my 1350 kgs is well within its capabilities. I have towed all over UK and some European countries without problem. Although I have gear change paddles behind the steering wheel I rarely us then except to select a higher in some circumstances. For acceleration it is willing to change down using kick-down. Generally I let the gearbox do its own thing.
I agree with comments about automated manuals they are truly dreadful. I have no experience of CVT so will not comment.
My conclusion is that I will favour a good auto over a manual any day. But wont rule out this being an age thing as well!!
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Yes.....I have a BMW 3 series with the ZF Torque Converter auto. It was my first auto (other than holiday hire cars) and I was a bit unsure whether I was doing the right thing buying one.....
But after a year of ownership i am totally converted (
) and would not go back to a manual.The FIL has an automated manual Renault Captur which I ferry them round in regularly but the gearbox is not as good as my proper TC auto.....
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Since every second post references torque converters I'm wondering how many of the experts in this post actually know / understand how torque converter works? Don't need any links to you tube etc thanks
Auto boxes still have clutches to change gear sets, ok they'll mainly be oil immersed but there still clutches.
Fuild flywheels have not a mention either? Suspect there are few vehicles with auto boxes actually use a fuild flywheel as opposed to a torque converter.
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Over to you, MollysMummy or perhaps you can’t see the point of the post either.
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@ Apattullo
I know you said you didn't think you needed YouTube links ..... but your post shows you know the square root of SFA
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