Automatic versus Manual for towing

I have the 4 speed auto hdj100, go for the 5 speed auto or manual, both boxes are up to the task, it just comes to personal preference. The 4 speed is more than capable bu not as good as a 5 speed

A bit like the tyre talk, this one. After towing with both I would not go back to a manual. Mine is a 4 speed & handles a light C/t with ease. A heavier tow may
require attention to transmission cooling & I have seen talk of locking out 5th
on some vehicles. Even suggested in the manuals of some I believe. With all
such considerations dealt with, the auto is just so much easier to drive. The
manual freaks wont agree, but thats my take on it, cheers....oldbaz.

i reckon that anyone who has towed first with a manual and then with an auto - would never use manual again. Thats me.

I used to tow our 21' van with a 60 series manual,now use a 100 series TD 5 speed auto. Would not even look at a manual box now. The 100 series auto is magic on shifts under load and as long as you tow in 4th(not o/drive) you will be O.K. You do not need any extra trans cooling either.
Cheers , Robert

Hi Mapsey
You probably know that autos loose around 8% of their power through the transmission.
In the Petrol Patrols this translates to a significant acceleration difference over 1 second in the overtaking range 80-110kmh.
When you add a tow load on top of the above the manual has a considereable advantage , so I'd carefully check out this aspect before making a descision.

Hi Mapesy,

Another one for the auto.

I cannot say for the 5 speed landcruiser auto, although I would like one, but the 4 speed auto boxes have a lock up torque converter so there are no power losses due to the torque converter.

The autos generally give better traction control and have a far smoother power application when starting off, in my opinion. Was told that about 25 years ago by a motor mechanic. Found it to be true on my muddy road.

Manual gearboxes in the 100 series are not as reliable as the autos, from every thing I have read on the subject. A toyota mechanic once said on these pages that the auto boxes were the most reliable of all the LC boxes and were virtually bullet proof. Talking about 80s and 100 here.
And there are no clutches, in the normal sense, to wear out with your left foot.

Whatever you lose with an these automatics is more than made up with reliability.

Go the 5 speed auto. You'll probably kick yourself if you don't.
Just my opinion.

Cheers, Bruce.

I prefer the manual for towing as it is better for braking using the engine. Diesels have so much torque, gear changing is not much of a problem. My caravan electric brakes failed in the Adelaide Hills soon after they were connected by an auto electrician. It was easy to control the van until i could stop and rectify the problem.
Autos can be prone to overheating on some models, and servicing is not cheap.

Good luck,
Bill

A very interesting debate from both the technical and personal preference aspects.

After nearly 20 years of towing in the Australian bush and on the tar, 15 with a manual HJ60, 1 year with an automatic 100 series and now 3 years with a V8 troopie my personal preference is for a manual gearbox.

Technically, I have never experienced any problems with either but from a driving and fuel consumption point of view I have found the manual more 'user-friendly'. The troopie and the bushtracker have a GVM of 6,500kg and on & off-road I always feel much more in control with the manual, particularly on steep declines where the engine breaking with the V8 is phenomenal.

Where the automatic wins is on the beach without a doubt.

When it comes to fuel consumption it's worth considering that an automatic is re-active, ie; it does change gear until it senses a load change.

With the manual you can be pro-active with both the throttle and the gearbox.

When it comes down to it you just make your choice and have fun exploring this amazing country.

Roger

Well I have a 2005 auto and have towed all around the country with a nearly 3000kg van and have had no trouble whatever.

I only ever tow in 4th as OD is a gear for economical travelling pushing the CAR ONLY weight not trying to stagger along with double the weight it was designed to pull

Would never consider a manual as cant burn the clutch out with an auto if have to start loaded up on a hill.

For the uninformed that posted earlier in the thread the 100ser TD auto HAS AN OIL COOLER on the tranny It is mounted in front of the radiator and aircon condenser in the top left hand corner of the radiator housing..
I was going to fit one till it was pointed out to me that it already had one.

I tow with an 05 TD GXL manual - fair bit of feedback on this very topic on Lcool 100's forum - (I contributed) - Lcool - 100's Forum - Man/Auto towing Topic

I can only talk for my self, so....Auto any time
Happy towing to you all
Luch

Wow!! A wealth of experience from so many people. Seems like either would be OK with a slight preference for the automatic (5 speed but 4th gear). Thanks for the great contributions. Keep them coming if you can conribute. Cheers

Modern autos have come a long way.
They give better fuel consumption than the manuals.
Require less maintenance than the manuals.
Many vehicles (eg Nissan 4.8L and Landcruiser 200series) no longer have a manual option.
They are more reliable in the long term than a manual gearbox and clutch.
They do a lot of thinking - some have very good engine braking by changing down a gear or two when decelerating - I'm not sure about the 5-speed 100series on this point.

I've been a fan of manuals for many years but I can see the autos have taken over and I concede defeat!

With respect to the 100series - the 5 speed auto came out in about 2004 - these vehicles retain their value a lot better than the equivalent manual; are very reliable and if it were me I'd think that 5 speed auto behind a 1HD-FTE on the 100series is pretty hard to beat. But by the same token, if you buy a manual behind a 1HD-FTE you'll be pretty happy anyway.

Hi Mapesy

I too say the modern auto is better for towing than manual; it selects and changes to the appropriate gear more efficiently than the normal driver. You also then have a vehicle which is easy to drive in heavy traffic when not touring. Do not tow in overdrive - it is not a towing gear, and watch gear box oil temperatures. Breaking ability by manually selecting lower gears eg on steep downhill slopes is effective.

Motherhen

Hi Mapsey,

Toyota LC auto transmittions are fantastic and super strong. I have towed with 100 auto and 200 auto and would prefer the 100 (later models). My van was 3500 kg (Ok a but more than that) and had not trouble. Braking in the manual mode was great and certainly much better for the city sections in traffic.

If your caravan is 2000kg loaded and a TD (do not get petrol) it will have not troubles. The are millions of places with spares in the boonies and people to fix them if they break. Great to drive and lots of room.

Modern brakes on LC's a good, more than I can say for caravan brakes. Certianly get them looked at before you go in particular the wiring. Seems there are alot of badly wired caravan brakes out there.

Thanks so much guys and gals. I think I've decided on a 100 series Turbo Diesel with 5 speed auto. Now to find a good one!!