Towing with an Automatic car

Tedrut
Tedrut Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited February 2018 in Towcars & Towing #1

I am looking at purchasing a Kia Sprotage 2 ltr Diesel and keeping getting asked if a automatic would be okay there seems to be more automatic available then manual, but have never toured with an automatic I am wondering if there are a suitable tour car and the match your caravan to a car website these appear to be ok working out at 83%.

Can anyone offer me any advice on touring with an automatic car.

Comments

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
    100 Comments
    edited February 2018 #2

    Trust me, once you've had an auto you'll not go back.

    Towing is straightforward, no special tricks, nothing to wory about.

  • Chinster1957
    Chinster1957 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited February 2018 #3

    We bought an automatic Sportage 6 months ago after always having manual cars. The automatic is excellent. It's the best towcar we have ever owned.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2018 #4

    When looking for a used automatic Kia Sportage i found just the opposite that auto were much more rare,i have just changed our manual Sportage to an auto both are six speed boxes,the only diference is the tow limit on the auto is lower, but it is still capable towing our 1300kg  Bailey I had an auto years ago for towing and as far as i remember it was fine, but as i have yet to tow with our latest Kia can only go by what i have been told by others "why have you waited so long to change" as it is a much more relaxed tow

     

     

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #5

    Can anyone offer me any advice on touring with an automatic car.

    Yes, the club can..........wink

    https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/1022829/automatic-transmission-for-towing-mo.pdf

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2018 #6

    On the open road there's no difference in driving a manual or auto box car.  It's in start stop traffic and town driving that the auto comes into it's own.  My current car is a Kia 7 speed  Auto and the gearbox ratios are spot on, I really like it.  --- My previous car was a Sportage manual which I loved. --- Quite simply, choose whichever you get the best deal on. There is so little to choose between them.  Watch your towing weight though, as the Auto is rated lower than the manual. Also the Auto is a bit more thirsty than the manual. 

    K 

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited February 2018 #7

    not all auto's have a lower towing weight, the vast majority are higher than the manuals.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited February 2018 #8

    I don't know why some cars even have 3 pedals  😞 ...... auto every time

  • Phishing
    Phishing Forum Participant Posts: 597
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    edited February 2018 #9

    You really dont need advice its just easier!

     

  • IanTG
    IanTG Forum Participant Posts: 419
    100 Comments
    edited February 2018 #10

    No brainer in my view. Auto is a doddle..

     

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
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    edited February 2018 #11

    Auto every time

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #12

    We have been driving, and towing with, only automatics since 1972, mainly Volvos, but now a VW Touareg.

    Would never buy a manual.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #13

    We have a Sorento auto and it's just great towing or not. Great diesel engine too and I wouldn't now go back to a manual

  • bill
    bill Forum Participant Posts: 388
    edited March 2018 #14

    Always tow with automatics and have done for years.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #15

    Auto for every time.  Once you have one you will never go back to a 3 pedal car.

  • Bazalab
    Bazalab Forum Participant Posts: 24
    edited March 2018 #16

    I have been driving since 1959 and moved to auto in 1992.  All my subsequent cars have been autos and I will never go back to a manual. 

    Auto is very reliable now and perfect for towing; so relaxed and easy and more so when reversing and manoeuvring.

    Manual is dead - long live auto!!

  • Glenn T
    Glenn T Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited March 2018 #17

    Auto for me, it great

  • Frosty
    Frosty Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited March 2018 #18

    The diesel automatics are much better for towing purposes as they produce more torque at low revs ,so much for towing, hill starts and pulling away,less wear and tear on the engine and less stress on the driver.

  • Raymondgraham01
    Raymondgraham01 Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited March 2018 #19

    if towing with an automatic its worth considering getting a dedicated wiring harness for the towbar a bit more expensive but hill assist,antisway,and gear ratio are all optimised for towing   

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2018 #20

    That really doesn't apply any more. The latest generation of petrol engines is quite on par with diesels with respect to low end torque.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited March 2018 #21

    I will find out on Monday as it will be the first tow with an auto, and petrol at that, after years of manual diesel  tow carssurprised

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2018 #22

    What flavour of auto box? It potentially makes a difference wink

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited March 2018 #23

    it will drink petrol while towing, but I hope all goes well.

  • ainer
    ainer Forum Participant Posts: 24
    edited March 2018 #24

    Changed to an auto 2.2 diesel CRV Honda last year - wish I'd done it years ago !

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2018 #25

    There's not that much difference in mpg between the 3.0 petrol auto Omega I had & the 3.0 diseasal 4x4 R Class I tow with now. There's more to mpg than just petrol vs diseasal.

  • Briang
    Briang Club Member Posts: 670 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #26

     auto always

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #27

    I like that John Cadoghan too, very witty

  • countax
    countax Forum Participant Posts: 112
    edited March 2018 #28

    Auto every time! towing with Volvo V70s for 10 years in total. Excellent towcar particularly in the D5 Geartronic guise. 

    There are often 1 or 2 in the Classifieds. Anyhow, would never change back to manual. What’s the point of a gear lever and clutch? Totally redundant items. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2018 #29

    You'll not get very far without a clutch (or two) in a Geartronic auto wink

    I assume a Geatronic is a twin clutch DSG type auto which actually has not one, but two clutches innocent

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