Been dragging caravans around for years but never with an automatic.

So should I just let the auto box do its thing when I have the van on the hook, or should I knock it over into manual mode?

Just leave it in auto👍 it will do the business. I sometimes knock it into manual if it wont hold a gear on cruise control but otherwise just let the box sort it out.

The only other time is pulling off on a steep slope where selecting first as mainly the car will try to pull off in second.....but that is very steep slopes👍 There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
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Sounds good to me. Ta.

one thing to bear in mind, on any autobox, there is a feature known as torque 'lock' this means that at a certain speed the 'flywheel' or torque converter, will no longer slip. this will be around 50mph on most cars. you will feel car stop slipping and any more (gentle) pedal down, will result in no more slippage, until you need to change-up, ie to stop it labouring. so, yes, drive it in 'D' but get used to feeling the 'lock-up, and then pressing a little harder. this will save you gearbox wear.
If pulling into say heavy traffic, behind a train or lorries, you wont get to 50mph, so you could be slipping for a long period. You can use the manual mode to hold say, 3 or 4, until you are comfortably past say, the long line of lorries, or, another 'van, and then drop into D. read up on 'fluid flywheel lock-up' .
We have used a disco2 many many times with our van, and its easier on that. coz its so noisy and gutless!
on the RR I have fitted paddles on the steering wheel, so I can use manual mode, without the stick. so I can gently and frugally, pass traffic etc. I have to admit not yet towing the 'van on the RR but have towed many a car trailer etc using this method.

Cheers, I will read up on that.

I'm not a caravanist, but I'd imagine you'd need to manually select a lower gear and hold it whilst going down steep hills to stop the car trying to change up all the time and you having to hold it back on the brakes. 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Been towing for 15 years, mainly twin axle caravans. Used a Disco 1 & 2, both manuals - but then had my first Auto; Discovery 3. Wondered why I hadn't bought an Auto before, though the D2 autobox was hateful.

Then D3-Audi A8-XC90 ALL auto's. Now with FF, obviously an auto. Towed all over the UK, much of Europe too and wouldn't ever go back to manual.

Only time I select M/S is to lock the gear for overtaking (rarely done to be fair as happy to sweep along at 55-60mph) or for slowing down to a junction. I use low range all the time for manouvering the 'van on sites etc as it's just easier !

You won't look back when you have towed with an Auto....  Is this where I put the car details and a bit about myself ?........

Leave it in auto all the time.

Use low range when manoeuvring, gives you more control and works the low range parts of the box.

Ian

That seems to be the general advice. Good point about giving both the low and high range a workout though.

Morning all,
Have towed a caravan for the last 13 years with automatics only. Have had a Sierra 2.0 auto (still have it-going strong!), two Omega estates (2.5 and 3.0 auto) and for the last 8 years my P38 4.6 (still looking for a SC!!).
I only manually select lower gears if climbing long hills eg Telegraph Hill after Exeter or going down very steep hills.

Would never entertain towing with a manual-although I did tow with a manual Rover 3500 SD1 for a few miles many years ago.

Cheers

Steve

(PS as mentioned-still looking for a SC!!)

Mmmmm a manual Rover V8 SD1........ now how much can I buy a Vitesse for......?

I know its not the same, but I've done off roading in a few cars, and much prefer autos as it always seems to get the right gear for the situation and you don't lose drive to the wheels when you have to dip the clutch.

Its just easier.

That said, I know the extreme off roaders use manuals, as did Camel Trophy.

Low range definately easier for moving the 'van about when parking up. 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Just can't see the point of a manual gearbox, every other part of a modern car has been made to be easier to use or has become automatic, like lights and wipers etc...

Then they bring out 6-7 etc speed manual gearboxes and all you spend your time doing is changing gear and getting a sore leg when crawling in traffic...

Used autos for off-roading for years starting with RRC and then Discos, as said above so much easier off road, only drawbacks are a higher first gear in low box and the fact it's harder to feel if you are wheel spinning. On the plus side you don't break half shafts as the torque loading is taken up by the torque convertor. Failed hill climbs are also much easier in an auto, mind you with a FF that's irrelevant......

Towed a lot with autos as well and agree with the above, let the gearbox sort it, the FF has a towing setting built into the gearbox ECU that changes when you plug the electrics in so it does the hard work for you.... Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Also, get a big engine with lots of torque. Then the gearbox can stay in the lower gears more easily. So 5.0 SC or 4.4 TDV8 and leave it in auto all the time !! MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Please excuse my ignorance but why engage low range for manoeuvring ? I tow a twin axle caravan with my FF and I don't have any difficulties when parking up so why that advice?

And I've towed with various autos over many years and the FF is just sublime, easily the best tow car by miles

Cos it gives slightly more control, eg will creep slower and move less for a given throttle input. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6