Towing - automatic vs manual

[Blythwind]

I currently tow on a b licence with my car.

I am now planning to take the test and purchase a 4wd. I've Found one that fits all the requirements - age /mileage/towing capacity/budget! It's a 57 plate Kia Sorento

However, it's an automatic. I've never driven one before so it'll take some practice.

Is it a bad idea to tow with an automatic? I gather they are much more thirsty..?

Any advice welcomed..

 

[Izzwizz]

I had a Kia Sorrento auto and towed an Ifor 510 and it was excellent. No more thirsty than the Isuzu Trooper I had before. Loved it, nice car and so much easier than a geared car, dont think you will have any problem

 

[Greylegs]

i tow with an automatic Shogun. Perfect for the job IMO and very easy to drive.

 

[be positive]

I rarely tow but had to a few times using an automatic and found it very easy, it gives a much smoother ride especially in busy traffic, through towns etc as the gears change at the optimum time, also much less work for the driver, you still have to drive smoothly but no worrying about whether to change up or down, I actually enjoyed it, after many years of driving lorries I could almost be converted to using a trailer.

 

[Enfys]

Where I live it is easier to find rocking horse poo than a manual (ok, slight exaggeration, but only slight) I would say that 75% of all drivers here have never driven a stick shift, and those that have tend to think they are special.

All our trucks have been automatic, never had a problem with towing anything from stock trailers to RV's.

 

[pec]

The first car we towed with was a 4trak, the 2 disco's all three manual. Two and a half years ago we bought an automatic Shogun. I have used it to travel horses from West Wales to London, Nottingham and Yorkshire. We would not go back to a manual, given the choice. We cannot find anything that a manual can do that an outo can't.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I wouldn't have another manual. Auto all the way. As for getting used to it you'll probably once do an emergency stop looking for the clutch then you'll be used to it!

 

[Sealine]

I bought an auto diesel 08 Kia sorento as my first ever tow car over 5 yrs ago having never driven an auto or towed before. I found really easy to drive and wouldn't go back to a manual now. Helps to give the horses a nice smooth ride too. Still got the same car and it's never let me down.

 

[Whoopit]

When I upgraded to a Discovery3 they rarely come in manual but I wanted an automatic box for towing anyway - who can bothered faffing about with gears in traffic and uphills and ohhhhh, no I just couldn't be bothered with the clutch anymore 😊

 

[Sprout]

I tow with a Land Cruiser auto and find it brilliant.

 

[Equi]

I had an auto when I first started towing. I hated it. It drank fuel. off road it was crap. In ice it was crap. Manual all the way!

 

[case895]

Auto are recommended for towing as the gear changes are smoother.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I wouldn't have another manual. Auto all the way. As for getting used to it you'll probably once do an emergency stop looking for the clutch then you'll be used to it!

Hehee, this is me atm! Have to remind myself constantly to relax my left leg. Have just upgraded from our venerable old manual Shogun to a newish auto Shogun.

I wanted another manual but as others have stated, its almost impossible to find one in the big 4x4s now. The auto box is growing on me, but I haven't towed with it yet. I'm pleased to hear so many upbeat views on towing with one.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Hehee, this is me atm! Have to remind myself constantly to relax my left leg. Have just upgraded from our venerable old manual Shogun to a newish auto Shogun.

I wanted another manual but as others have stated, its almost impossible to find one in the big 4x4s now. The auto box is growing on me, but I haven't towed with it yet. I'm pleased to hear so many upbeat views on towing with one.

I nearly put my daughter through the window and she said "what what what's happened!?!" I had to sheepishly point out I was just ahem, getting used to the controls. I've driven an auto on and off over the years for short periods and done it every time this is the first time I've had one full time tho and it's brilliant in every way. Especially if stuck in traffic. Had a defender before and this is so much better all round.

Once you've done your accidental emergency stop you'll be fine

 

[PorkChop]

I towed for many years with an automatic, no problems at all

 

[Blythwind]

Thanks for all the replies. Other than the one negative comment about the thirst, it's reassuring that people rate the automatics and the sorentos

 

[Orangehorse]

Get the Sorrento well checked out though, I know that they have problems that mean scrap heap.

Towing with an automatic should be OK, lots of people do.

 

[hibshobby]

I asked my LandRover dealer when I had the choice - he said not much in it and down to personal preference. I went with manual as had experience with manual and I don't like automatics very much.

 

[sunnyone]

We much prefer an automatic for towing. Yes fuel consumption is greater, but the effort of driving was sooo much less. My first 100+ mile tow was through France and over the Pyrenees. Concentrating on the over hanging rocks was bad enough, I can assure you.

 

[Clannad48]

I have an 05 plate automatic Sorento that I use to tow my Ifor 505 with, best thing ever. The only thing I would have checked which can both be done for free under warranty
a) the fuel tank delamination issue - sometimes needs a new tank fitted and fuel lines cleaned through
b) rear bracketsnchecked and if necessary replaced

I bought my Sorento six months ago and it required the fuel tank replaced - now bearing in mind that I was the fourth owner and the car had done 105k miles I was not expecting any assistance from the dealership - surprise, surprise they were excellent, all checked and replaced in a day without question and the car cleaned (embarrassingly rear was full of hay and shavings leftovers)

 

[Equi]

Mine was a CRV petrol automatic by the way, so if you do get one, don't get that one! lol

 

[rascal]

We currently have a Toyota hilux surf and that is auto, and I love it. I much prefer autos.
We used to have manual range rover, but I wouldn't go back to one now. I got used to the auto by taking it on an empty car park to play.

 

[[59851]]

I have towed with both and far prefer the Auto!!

 

[gina2201]

I prefer to tow in an auto as modern autos are very smooth, with 7+ gears(!) and not much difference in thirstiness than they used to be compared to manual versions.

Remember to take your test in a manual otherwise if you take it in an auto you will be restricted to only towing with autos.

 

[Milliepony]

Another vote for auto. I have towed with a manual, but much prefer my automatic, for all the reasons already mentioned.

 

[Dubsie]

Given that my experience of autos was a 1970s ex-taxi, with shot-to-pieces transmission and dodgy brakes as temporary company car (I refused to drive it), you can imagine I've a jaded view of automatics. However we just got a new auto Shogun and I'm very impressed with how smooth it is, and think it'll be far better than the manual at towing, less of those awkward 'do I don't I' change gear moments up the Surrey hills next weekend. Am looking forward to it, but then again I won't be driving as OH will want to come too!

 

[marmalade76]

Where I live it is easier to find rocking horse poo than a manual (ok, slight exaggeration, but only slight) I would say that 75% of all drivers here have never driven a stick shift, and those that have tend to think they are special.

All our trucks have been automatic, never had a problem with towing anything from stock trailers to RV's.

I gather fuel is a lot cheaper where you are. The fact that autos use more fuel is the main reason why I will never have one.

 

[dibbin]

I tow with an auto Shogun and it's brilliant. Much smoother pulling away than a manual and less likely to burn out a clutch if you've got hills!

 

[FfionWinnie]

I gather fuel is a lot cheaper where you are. The fact that autos use more fuel is the main reason why I will never have one.

Comparing my auto pick up to a defender and to my oh's same age manual pick up, mine uses much less fuel than either of them. Perhaps years ago automatics were thirstier but don't think that is necessarily true now.

 

[Blythwind]

Thanks everyone