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warrentdo

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello all. I'm thinking of buying a tekna for towing my double axle caravan. It's also going to be the family bus when not towing & also taking me to work and back (90 miles per day).. What do you guys think about an auto verses a manual? I'm thinking about fuel consumption as well as there will be a few around town miles as well.
regards,
Warren.
 
#2 ·
I found my manual didn't like heavy towing. Any manoeuvring and the clutch pedal would sink towards the floor and only come back once it had all cooled down. Fine when running on the road though. I'm going for an auto next.
 
#5 ·
Auto every time for me. I had a 2.5 manual and as said above, manoeuvring got the clutch very hot.
 
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#6 · (Edited)
PCUK said:
That's a lot of towing!
Click to expand...
The 25k I referred to is his daily commute at 90 miles per day.

I agree that an auto is the best option for low speed trailer manoeuvring, no real difference when driving on the open road.

Just realised that the Tekna in question is an NP300, fuel consumption is quite a lot better than numbers I quoted.
 
#7 ·
I tow 4.3t of 5th wheel with a V6 auto (it's up-plated)
Even with a trailer half that weight, I reckon to go with a manual gearbox is crazy.
I have met so many people that have burned out clutches (some, multiple times) when towing big caravans. It' not the towing that destroys clutches, or even the stop/start in traffic (although that doesn't help), it's the manoeuvering on and off pitches, some with slopes, that get you.

Also, don't forget that any twin axle caravan needs a lot more force to turn it than a single axle (read: more clutch stress) because the tyres are forced to scrub, as the wheels have no left-right articulation. The tighter the turn, the more the scrub. It's why the wheels have such big bearings!
 
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#9 ·
PCUK said:
How do you go about getting the tow weight uprated? That would be very handy!
Click to expand...
Mine was done through Fifth Wheel Company, from whom I bought the truck (and Rambler,) ready to go with re-plate, air bags, electrics, hitch and spray plastic bed liner. They have some kind of relationship with SV-Tech (I think) who provide the tech paperwork....
 
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#10 ·
auto or manual for towing.

PCUK said:
The 25k I referred to is his daily commute at 90 miles per day.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ahh, I see now!

How do you go about getting the tow weight uprated? That would be very handy!
Click to expand...


Acknowledging this doesn't directly answer your question, NP300 tow ratings are up to 3500kg without modification, so it's just a paperwork issue if UK market vehicles don't allow that.

Sometimes they're the hardest though...

NP300 towing specs (scroll down to weights; Tekna is closest to ST-X in specification)
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Hello all and thank you for the comments. The majority of the driving will be the daily commute. Would the auto use that much fuel? Driving on and off pitches would only be 6 to 7 times a year and fully services so quite flat. Sorry about the newbie questions.
Regards
Warren.
 
#13 ·
If you have a big-ish caravan, you could quite likely prematurely wear a clutch by towing and parking 6-7 times a year.
My guess is any extra fuel cost is less expensive than a clutch change.

Just get the auto. It's much less stress all round. In the end what is the joy from a manual in a pickup truck? I'm all for manuals in a decent car - I hate both diesels and autos, but an auto pickup is best for my caravan, and when not hitched for towing the truck is very relaxing....
 
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#14 ·
cssuk said:
cant understand why you dont all use low 4x4 if the ground is grass gravel etc much lower revs reqd use the gearbox and transfer case for what it was designed for
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Fine on grass and gravel, but a lot of the manoeuvering is with the truck wheels being on sealed surfaces. And in much of hot Europe, even the so-called 'grass' is bone hard from the sun and almost like a sealed surface; also parking is almost never possible in straight lines.
 
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#15 ·
IMHO Auto is best for towing, I have a similar Fifth wheel trailer to freemansteve with my trailer weighing around 3600Kg. My previous Fifth wheel trailer was towed with a 2006 Aventurer with manual box and I finished up replacing the clutch twice in 4 years. The main problem was manoeuvring the trailer into site posiion which inverably means constantly slipping the clutch to keep the speed down when in reverse and/or 1st gear trying to align the trailer up on onto sites? I currently tow my present Fifth wheel with a 6 year old V6 Outlaw (auto) which gives much smother manoeuvrability at very slow speeds. Auto every time for towing!
 
#16 ·
warrentdo said:
Hello all and thank you for the comments. The majority of the driving will be the daily commute. Would the auto use that much fuel? Driving on and off pitches would only be 6 to 7 times a year and fully services so quite flat. Sorry about the newbie questions.
Regards
Warren.
Click to expand...
On this post, near the last pages, it looks like the NP300 gets around 34 for the auto and 37 for the manual.

http://www.nissan-navara.net/20-navara-chat/4639-re-how-many-miles-tank-post-40.html

In both cases they are going to cost you a quite lot more than the BMW, I haven't done the maths, but i am sure you can work it out. As above, you don't need an auto, but it is a bit nicer to drive and tows better.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
landmannnn said:
On this post, near the last pages, it looks like the NP300 gets around 34 for the auto and 37 for the manual.

http://www.nissan-navara.net/20-navara-chat/4639-re-how-many-miles-tank-post-40.html

In both cases they are going to cost you a quite lot more than the BMW, I haven't done the maths, but i am sure you can work it out. As above, you don't need an auto, but it is a bit nicer to drive and tows better.
Click to expand...
Hello, so that would be 10% between the manual and auto. When you say tow better I guess it's just ease of driving rather than any performance, stability, safety. I wonder what the tekna would do with my 335d lump in it? Over 313 hp and 630 Nm of torque would be fun.
because of the mileage I am swaying g towards the manual. I hope it's the right choice!
Warren.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
freemansteve said:
I tow 4.3t of 5th wheel with a V6 auto (it's up-plated)
Even with a trailer half that weight, I reckon to go with a manual gearbox is crazy.
I have met so many people that have burned out clutches (some, multiple times) when towing big caravans. It' not the towing that destroys clutches, or even the stop/start in traffic (although that doesn't help), it's the manoeuvering on and off pitches, some with slopes, that get you.

Also, don't forget that any twin axle caravan needs a lot more force to turn it than a single axle (read: more clutch stress) because the tyres are forced to scrub, as the wheels have no left-right articulation. The tighter the turn, the more the scrub. It's why the wheels have such big bearings!
Click to expand...
Thank you for the info.
another daft question. When towing your 5th wheel (which is huge compared to my 1950kg twin) does your nav always keep in top gear on motorway at about 60-65 . I know I will have to try one first just getting my head around would I need to keeping dropping down on the manual if on motorway.

Warren.
 
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