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   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: Towing with golf automatic?
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PersonNA10
28/8/2009 at 10:16am
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Hi

Can anyone help with advice on towing with a golf automatic 1600? (S reg 1998/99 i think) We are thinking of buying a second hand pennine stirling folding camper.

weight out of the factory 640 kilos  but can go up to 900 kilos.

I think our towing capacity is around 1130 kilos. It's the automatic bit that I am worried about!

Much appreciate any thoughts - we are new to the camping folding market but have successful towed an old conway trailer tent in the past.

Many thanks.


PersonLegsDownKettleOn
28/8/2009 at 3:13pm
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I wouldn't worry about it being an automatic, I have been towing with an automatic for about 6 years an wouldn't go back to a manual. If my research is right, the foldign camper is about 900kg (which seems higher than I expected) I think you might find it a bit sluggish on hills and may put a lot of stress on (and therefore heat up)the gearbox. I would look into whether an additional oil cooler is needed for the gearbox. Your VAG dealer should be able to tell you.


Personandy1kenobe
28/8/2009 at 3:21pm
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I tow with my automatic Saab. It's the second one I have owned and I find it so much easier towing with an auto than a manual.

But that's just my own personal opinion.

I would also advise that you have the gearbox oil changed before doing any distance and then make sure it is changed regularly. I change mine before the normal due time.

As said previously, an additional oil cooler may be needed.


PersonRogerL
28/8/2009 at 5:26pm
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Automatics are generally better towcars than their manual equivalent because the torque converter can use a multiplier of over 2.0 at low speeds - automatics also make it easier and more relaxed for the driver. Like most caravanners who've tried automatics, I'd never go back to a manual by choice.

If the engine coolant radiator has a couple of small pipes as well as the top & bottom hoses, usually at the bottom and these pipes go back to the gearbox then officially it already has a transmission cooler fitted but it'll only cool the fluid down to 80-90 degrees whereas an air cooler uses ambient temperature - but - the good news is that those pipes can be used to plumb an air cooler in series with the radiator one, eg Kenlowe.

The service schedule in the handbook will identify how often the transmission fluid needs changing. Towing counts as "extreme condition" so a reduced mileage interval may also be specified in the small print.

Make sure you use the correct specification of transmission fluid - there are many different specs and ignore anyone who says there's only two types (Ford or GM) because many car manufacturers recommend a fluid that has extra additives.


PersonNA10
30/8/2009 at 10:31pm
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 Thank you so much for your advice.  I will  take this information and go and talk to my mechanic this week!

Much appreciated

 

 



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