We will probaly purchase a 20 foot van or thereabouts. We have been thinking of a turbo diesel ethier a Triton, Navara, Hi lux or BT 50 as a tow vehicle. My question is. Is there any difference between a auto or manual transmission?(other than the obvious!!) Is one more suitable than the other?
My wife prefers a auto but I feel a manual may be a better option.
My inlaws had a Jackeroo and blew their transmission up three months into their big trip at Fitzroy Croosing at a cost of $4000(1995) to replace and a fortnight to do. They were told it was because they had been using 5th gear to tow the van. (18 foot)
Most , if not all, new 4WDs that you mention allow you to select gears manually - certainly my BT 50 does and we use it regularly even when not towing as the diesel engine isn't always happy about going up some hills in the gear selected by the auto transmission. Best of both worlds I reckon.
What ever you like is good but if getting an Auto, make sure you fit a really good aftermarket cooler for the transmission. Most autos crack it when they overheat so you need to ensure that they are cooled sufficiently. I prefer manuals, my wife autos and hopefully, Lotto Gods willing, our next tug will have a 6.6 litre Cummins and their superb 7 speed auto box. attached.
Auto for me every time. It's the 21st century and they've come a long way since the 50's and 60's. When I hear Manual, I immediately think of FJ Holden's.
Ozjohn.
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Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
Hi we have had both and both vehicles have been Navaras. We now havethe 550 and other half says he would never go back to a manual . He can still select gears when he wants to eg hills
As said auto with good trans cooler.. DON'T be afraid to pull it down through the gears if required on hills..
In fact its not a bad idea to practice before you have to..
The Allison auto in my M.H can go to 2nd gear very easy coming down the blue mountains..
Manual maybe on bigger rigs to save on fuel ?
Both manuals and auto's have improved big time the last 10 years..
Reversing is easier with auto.. Saves clutch..
.. with recent purchases of both a Tug and Caravan, I was fortunate enough to be able to test (2) similar tugs (in both auto and manual) with caravans hooked up ..
Being in a built up area and with all the stopping and starting, auto was an easy choice. Even executed hill-starts in both forward and reverse and again found the auto handled it best and smoothest.
I'll grant you that the Caravans would not have been greater than 1.7 tonne .. but it gave me a base weight concept to consider.
Hi Collo, I just add my comments in here as well. I tow a 23 ft Roadstar with a 100 series cruiser with an auto box. No hassles at all but has a cooler fitted as a matter of course. One of the things I love about it is that I can manually select a gear if I want to as sometimes the auto box is a little late in going down a gear, just makes for a better hill climb.
One aspect about this box is that I will on occasions select "D" but only if it's a flat road or down hill a little, no head wind and it has to be able to hold better that 80 kph and not go above 2000 rpm. If it cannot do that then it stays in 4th gear.
The technology these days has just about got it right as i am concerned.
enjoy the journey where ever it takes you
Brian
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You only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough !!!!!!
