Towing in an auto

[Username_here]

So what's the go fellas, I hear people saying round the place that you shouldn't tow anything heavy in an auto. Why not? Aren't they rated to over 2t? Just needing to tow my 1,600kg van around (2k max) shortly so thought I'd check what's really up

[Rob_Wood]

I'm a little "old school" when it comes to auto's. That's why I m of the era that needed to add a towing pack to an auto that included having a transmission cooler line running through the bottom tank of your radiator.
I am told (with absolutely NO personal experience) that newer vehicles already have the needed gear fitted and so whatever the vehicle is rated to tow is what you should be good with.
Having said all that, be careful you don't overload your van and make sure you balance the load when packing it.

[241steve]

Who's saying that the Toyota dealer will tell you to get an auto if you want to do a lot of towing. The manual was detuned to save the clutch in older models.

[Chopps]

Get a torque converter lockup kit - Saves fuel from converter slip + reduces trans temp
https://automatictransmission.com.au/torque-converter-lockup-control/

[Gipsy]

The go is, don't tow anything heavy in drive, select manually 4th and definitely not 6th. For 4speed auto use 3rd. Even though modern auto transmission will allow you to tow in drive, it can cause the engine to labour and use more fuel let the engine rev around 2.5 to 3.5 krpm. Use less fuel and don't challenge the engine

[Bucking Bob]

I own a 2018 Hilux Rugged auto. I tow my 2800kg van all over the country in Drive (except for manual lower gear selection for downhill to assist braking). Have never had a problem. Never overheated. Tranny is fine with the weight. Just never use Cruise Control when towing.

[Gipsy]

To the original post, modern auto's are best suited to towing, probably more suitable than manuals because the modern torque convertor is much more efficient at using the engine torque than a manual because first it is a torque multiplyer (Google it) and second it allows some slippage to cater to varying demands from the load. Manuals as previously noted, are detuned somewhat to save clutch wear and ultimately slipping. Used correctly, auto's are superior to manuals for towing. (Not just because I own one ) I'm not a fan of torque converter lockup because it defeats the advantage of the torque convertor efficiency. That's why I suggested lower gears and never overdrive (6th in 6speed and 4th in 4speed)
TC lockup is fine on the road without a load but load it up and you need slippage and the multiplyer effect. Here's how TC works;
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/0808r ... onverters/


Just to demonstrate, most heavy vehicles, busses, semi-trailers, tractors, mine trucks etc. etc. are automatic transmission so there's the proof of the pudding I'm sure those 200tonne mine trucks are automatic transmission.
Also, even back in the old days in the 1970's I worked on Caterpillar D7's and D8's and they had fluid drive automatic transmissions. I think they are designed for heavy loads!