Automatic Lorries

Mrs_Wishkabibble

Mrs_Wishkabibble

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We've been and tried a really nice lorry today that is automatic which we think is even better but was wondering if anybody knew if they were a potential problem as opposed to a manual gearbox on a lorry as we've not seen one before
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Hi, Sorry I dont have an answer to your question but woudl love to know if this was an old or new lorry.

I only have an automatic license and didnt realise that you could get automatic lorries.

How did you find this one if you dont mind me asking.
 
I assume it would be Ok getting it towed?! Only you know what parking is like at some events where you get towed in and out!! That would be my only concern.
 
Towing an automatic is not problem.

However getting stuck in the mud might be as would driving in snow!

If neither of them concern you then go for.

I have an automatic BMW and I LOVE it!!
 
Re- Nosy and Cracklinrosie.
Hmm, good point. We have a 4 x 4 and a BMW that are both autos but then we dont put two horses inside them and get on a showground in mud! Will have to find out about that. Thanks for that
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i tow an ifor 510 with an automatic navara aventura double cab and have no problems with mud etc. i love it much better than manual towing
 
Unlike an automatic 4X4 a lorry would only be 2 wheel drive like dustcarts, could be interesting in a muddy field. I guess it would have a diff lock.
 
I'm guessing your Navara has 4 wheel drive an not just 2!

Don't imagine the lorry would be.

As for fuel consumption, shouldn't be too much difference, if any!

If your lorry is 4x4 I'd go for it.
 
One of our liveries has an automatic 2 horse lorry which I drive and it is fine. It is odd slowing down not using the gears, but is very easy to drive and the horses all travel well in it. We haven't had it in a position where it would need to be towed though.
 
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It will cost you a fortune to run - much higher on fuel I believe

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I agree it will be very expensive to run compared to a manual. Cars are the same they say you loose up to 10mpg with an automatic as they often keep you in a lower gear for longer. If you just do local shows you would be ok but it something to think about if you do a fair bit of travelling round
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By Automatic lorry, I assume you are talking about a 3.5 tonne (renault Master or similar) these are panel van derived models and should therefore be viewed as van, I cant really forsee any additional problems with a newish model, but at W reg your choice is nearly 8 years old already, agree with the higher fuel consumption.
I everything is fine and you have had it checked then I would go for it, you can have as many problems with any other car or van or lorry for that matter!
 
Just because a vehicle has an automatic gearbox doesn't mean you just put it into drive & accelerate. There are various gears there to be used in various situations. Unfortunately very few drivers have ever been told how to drive & use an automatic gearbox correctly. If used properly there is little difference in performance betwen the two boxes although mpg is invariably lower with an auto.
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Many new heavy haulage lorries are automatic gearboxes in the future more will follow suit as test have shown better MPG with automatic boxes than manual boxes due to modern EMS
 
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Many new heavy haulage lorries are automatic gearboxes in the future more will follow suit as test have shown better MPG with automatic boxes than manual boxes due to modern EMS

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Older autos were less economical largely because they tended to have fewer gears. As autos have become more sohisticated in real world use they caught up with manuals as they tend to be in the right gear more of the time. Very few people (and I include myself) actually change gear enough on a manual and are in the wrong gear most of the time.

As mentioned above, modern autos and EMS generally mean autos are more economical than manuals. I did not even think about a manual on my Disco.
 
Hmm I thought you couldn't tow anything with an automatic gear box? As the gear box works on compression at both ends but in towing the compression would only be at one end and hence could blow the box entirley?
I'd still have an auto lorry though as have never needed to be towed.
 
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