What transmission for towing?

[EddScott]

What would be the best transmission for towing a twin axle trailer weighing about 12-1500Kg?

Auto

Good - always in the right gear, won't roll back quickly.

Bad - Costly if it breaks, heavy on fuel.

Manual

Good - Engine breaking.

Bad - Clutch wear if doing lots of hill work, Get caught in the wrong gear on a steep hill and you might have a problem?



Looking at Shoguns around the 96/99 Diesel and Petrol (LPG'd) and manual/auto. Leaning towards an LPG'd Petrol as I think it's less likely to cause problems than the diesel (assuming the LPG system is spot on) and I think overall LPG will be the cheaper fuel over diesel.

 

[Rich1988]

for towing I would certainly choose an auto, as far as shoguns go, its hard to choose between the 2.8td and the 3 litre v6, (although if your going for a v6 get the 3.5 ).

There isnt as much difference in fuel economy as you would think either really both are thirsty as hell. I wouldnt say any is really more reliable than the other either as far as I know.

Lpg'd v6 is what I would go for though.

 

[Vauxmad]

for towing I would certainly choose an auto, as far as shoguns go, its hard to choose between the 2.8td and the 3 litre v6, (although if your going for a v6 get the 3.5 ).

There isnt as much difference in fuel economy as you would think either really both are thirsty as hell. I wouldnt say any is really more reliable than the other either as far as I know.

Lpg'd v6 is what I would go for though.

The 3.5 V6 on lpg actually returns better fuel economy than the 3lt for some reason!

Wish i had the 3.5 in my shogun!

 

[Alibaba99]

I would go for an auto when towing, just so easy. Makes creeping and manoeuvring at low speeds with a rig easy as well as engine can be left at idle and then just control on the brake.

 

[Scania]

Bad - Clutch wear if doing lots of hill work, Get caught in the wrong gear on a steep hill and you might have a problem?

Use the right ratio's and operating the clutch properly should not drastically increase the wear rate even on hills,imo is giving it loads of revs & slipping the clutch that will.
As for the wrong ratio, that's down to the driver as opposed to the transmission in my view.

personally, I'd rather tow with a manual, that way you have the right gear and the trans won't decide to change up just when you don't want it to like my sodding automatic Scania tends to - I drive it in manual mode for this reason.

 

[PMKeates]

Automatic because it will be easier and nicer to drive.

 

[Overlag]

Manual because we don't live in America