Shogun for towing - auto or manual?

anj789

anj789

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I'm looking at a SWB Shogun 3.2D for towing, weights seem ok if I ever want to carry 2 hosses (usually 1 x 16.2hh) as am planning to get a Bateson Ascot trailer.
For those Shogun lovers out there, which tows better, auto or manual? And what's the trade-off, I would think automatics are more thirsty but maybe easier /smoother drive?
I prefer the SWB as it may also need to dress up as a work car on occasion & I don't want a tank!
Sorry all from a towing newbie, always been a lorry person but times change! thanks...
 
Had a SWB Shogun several years ago - it was brilliant and could tow anything off the showground (including stuck-in-the-mud-horseboxes!). Only problem was, it lacked space in the back for tack etc. Otherwise - great!

It was manual by the way.
 
I have an auto and i love it! Pulls very easily
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dad used to hav an swb pajero auto diesel towed fine but the old man says manual is better....
also apparently diesals give much better fuel economy for towing
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Can only comment on the LWB version. Get an auto easier to drive, nice and smooth, but so is a manual if you use the clutch and accelerator properly!! Don't think that fuel economy is that different when you're using 4WD and towing the aerodynamic equivalent of a block of flats around behind you.
The only thing I would suggest is think carefully whether you want SWB or LWB. I found the ride in a SWB very 'choppy' and quite tiring, not the case with the LWB although it is more of a 'handful' in town. Also room in the back cramped in SWB, sure Nemo the Lab wouldn't be my best friend if we had bought one!
 
I am going against the grain here and prefer manual for towing - hate auto's, so very expensive when the gearbox goes wrong and i like to have complete control over the car and not have it hunting for gears up and down hills...
 
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i like to have complete control over the car and not have it hunting for gears up and down hills

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This is the sign of someone who has never had any instruction on how to drive an automatic..... don't just stick it in D & leave it there, there are other gears in the box so use them.
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I tow with a SWB 3.2TD...its fab and makes mincemeat of our hills round here in North Devon.
AS TZ has pointed out there are plenty of gear choices for steep downhills etc.

Only downfall of a SWB is the space
 
We've got some big hills hear in the lincolnshire wolds and i have no trouble with the auto "hunting for gears" very smooth ride. Much better than some of my friends manual 4x4 who have to resort to dropping down a gear and jerking.
I do however agree on the space factor. Nice big area in back but the boot is tiny. I struggle for space if ive got two sets of tack other than if i fold the rear seats down which then gives loads of rooM!
 
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i like to have complete control over the car and not have it hunting for gears up and down hills

[/ QUOTE ]

This is the sign of someone who has never had any instruction on how to drive an automatic..... don't just stick it in D & leave it there, there are other gears in the box so use them.
confused.gif


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You beat me to it! I have an auto Disco, only really use D on long straight stretches, had a manual Disco before, auto is fab for hill starts!! As for economy, it equates to about 3 - 5 miles per gallon more to run the auto than the manual.
 
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We've got some big hills hear in the lincolnshire wolds and i have no trouble with the auto "hunting for gears" very smooth ride. Much better than some of my friends manual 4x4 who have to resort to dropping down a gear and jerking.
I do however agree on the space factor. Nice big area in back but the boot is tiny. I struggle for space if ive got two sets of tack other than if i fold the rear seats down which then gives loads of rooM!

[/ QUOTE ]

I've decided the answer is a roof rack or box
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thanks people, most useful comments - I guess I'll see what's around - certainly more autos than manual to choose from. Noted the restricted space too but I think I'll be better off SWB.
 
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