Auto vs Manual.

[cornish rattler]

Hi guys

i am a new member so please go easy on me

as well as owning a transcamper trailer tent for holidays i also want to tow a 3.500kg car transporter trailer, a.t.m. i have a 2003 land rover discovery 2 td5 auto e.s. but with all the probs i have had with it over the past year i have decided to sell it, and with the money i will get for it i will be able to buy a discovery 1 300tdi and buy a trailer aswell, but want to know which is best auto or a manual, i know some peops prefure autos as to manuals and visa versa but has anyone had both cars and towed a similar loaded trailer with both cars, how do they compair pulling away from a standing start, climbing hills, and driving on motorways, i know the discovery 1 300tdi is well capable of towing a 3.500kgs trailer, and i passed my driving test in 1980.

cheers
graham
________________
03 d2 td5 auto e.s.

[radix]

I bet the fuel pump, turbo, and swirl flap actuators were just 3 of the problems you experienced with the TD5? Either auto or manual are pretty ok for towing, BUT, if you're towing with an auto box that doesn't have a tiptronic option, depending on the RPM, especially with a caravan, it can start for example changing from 3rd to 4th, back to 3rd and into 4th, and back into 3rd again etc which is not only irritating but not great for the gearbox or fuel economy! An auto box is lovely for towing, especially if you've cruise control, but you'd want the tiptronic option which will obviously generally only be on the newer ones! So my number 1 choice would be an auto box with tiptronic, and failing that I'd go for the manual!

[Tilly18]

My Dad prefares an Auto (but then he is 70) and his set up is: Citreon c4 - Lunar Quasar 23ft.

I prefare Manual (Im 40) as I like to be in control of the gearing. my set up is: Renual Espace - Sprite Major 6. Niether of us have any problems with pulling, and have both just get back from Luxembourg.
So I would say its down to your own preference really.

Tilly.