Towing with an Automatic
Hi, still looking at a potential new car for next year. A number of options are 'automatic' which may not be a bad idea in my old age. I have driven auto's so I am quite familiar with them but would be interested in views on their use as tow cars.
More specifically the options in my sights atm are Ford Mondeo Powershift and the Mercedes 2litre diesels. I hope to buying something like 2017 or newer versions if that makes a difference.
Any comments would be helpful.
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After years of towing with manual gearbox cars, medical problems "forced" a change to an auto box last year, (kia sportage) and the diference in modern autos compared to years ago, makes me wish I had changed before even in cruise control the auto box is far superior to a manual ,the higher road fund tax band is well worth it
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Ford's Powershift is an automated manual and is similar to VAGs DSG ... if you Google it, you'll see it's not without its problems. Mercs use a conventional slushbox torque converter auto. You need to drive both to get a feel of how they driver differently from each other.
Torque converter slushbox every time for me ..... I've only been driving for 40 yrs and about 30 of them have been with an auto. 2 feet ... 2 pedals
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Can't comment on the cars you mentions but in support of the idea of towing with an automatic my last two towcars, before changing to a motorhome, were automatics. Initially I was reluctant because of previous bad experience with a Vauxhall auto but the two Kia Sorento's were spot on. We towed all over Europe with them and they never missed a beat. Encountered all sorts of roads, even up in the mountains and the auto box coped really well.
David
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Curious as to the problems with your Vauxhall .... I had a couple of 3.0 Senators & a 3.0 Omega, all autos & had no problems at all with them (only towed with the 24v Senny & Omega) despite their 4 speed gearboxes being fairly antiquated by modern auto standards.
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Hi, my current tow vehicle is a 2016 Ford Edge Sport 210 with Fords Powershift auto box,for me this is a huge improvement over the 6 speed manual box I had in my 2011 Ford S-Max.
I find it best to tow in Sport mode as this doesn't seem to hang on to the gears as long.
Dean.
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I've towed in both the UK and all over France with a Powershift automatic Mondeo for the last 8 years (two different cars) with absolutely no problem. They have both been a dream to drive and, in my opinion, excellent towcars. Average mpg solo = 48 average towing = 31.(1350kg caravan).
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I've towed all across the UK with a 7 speed Mercedes torque converter auto (two different cars) with absolutely no problem. Excellent towcars ..... 😉
I'm just relating what the Interweb says & have never driven one (though I wasn't keen on a VW DSG)
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/64745/ford-powershift-gearbox-fault---unacceptable-issue- and there seem to be many in the States that are unhappy. But each to their own.
Just ensuring that Sandgroper realises that comparing the two cars mentioned is like comparing apples with oranges .... they're the same, but different.
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I have been towing with VAG 'automatics' (ie there are only 2 pedals!) for the past 10 years - a Passatt and 2 x Tiguans. Over at least 60k miles towing with them, over the Alps down to Croatia etc, I have never had any problems. Both your options seem to be excellent tow cars so give them a good trial and make your choice. Autos are excellent tow cars.
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The latest Ford powershifts are TC boxes from about 2016. I have driven and towed with 2 cars with VAG DSG well over 100k miles. If serviced properly there isnt a problem with the wet clutch versions however best to avoid the dry clutch types.
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I have towed my whole driving life with manauls until two years ago when I bought my Rexton. The Mercedes 7 speed gearbox is a proper auto with a torque converter, and I wish I had gone over to an auto years ago.
I won't be having a manual car anytime soon. No anxiety worrying about getting stopped in traffic on a hill, or pulling away on hills and buring the clutch out.
Just foot off the brake, foot on the throttle and away you go. It is so much easier and stress free. I love it, and I never thought I would say that.
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