Towing with Manual trans, better?

[rbh]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

First thought is when you have the boat in the water and you are launching or retrieving "Do NOT" trust the
E-brake, use the E-brake and put the truck in reverse and turn off the motor.

Remember to shift into a lower gear "before" you go down a steep hill!!!!

(rule of thumb, if it takes say 3rd gear to go up the hill with the boat on, thats what you decend in, 3RD gear)

 

[Sander]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

The last few posts were pretty informative, thanks lads.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

I currently have a truck with a manual and tow a 20 foot bowrider with no trouble. It does take a bit more skill to launch and retrieve smoothly than it does with an automatic. If towing was a big priority I'd go with the auto, but I like driving the stick better overall.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

I currently have a truck with a manual and tow a 20 foot bowrider with no trouble. It does take a bit more skill to launch and retrieve smoothly than it does with an automatic. If towing was a big priority I'd go with the auto, but I like driving the stick better overall.

I guess I'm from the old school.......I prefer manual, if you know how to use a clutch they usually last forever.......can't say that for automatics! And they do get better mileage! But then again it is personal preference.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

I guess I'm from the old school....... And they do get better mileage!

Depends on the vehicle and how they are driven. Modern automatic transmissions are very close to manuals.

Bottom line, light duty trucks are not equipped with heavy enough duty clutches to handle large towing loads and their rating reflect this.

 

[guy74]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

I prefer a manual for towing heavy loads, as long as it has the proper gearing. I have no trouble running a clutch, but it is hard to beat an automatic at the ramp, since I only have 2 feet

 

[Titanium48]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

I prefer a manual for towing heavy loads, as long as it has the proper gearing. I have no trouble running a clutch, but it is hard to beat an automatic at the ramp, since I only have 2 feet

Use the e-brake to stop from rolling back. Left foot on the clutch, right foot on the gas, left hand on the wheel and right hand on the e-brake. Hold the button down so you can smoothly release it when the clutch starts to grab.

 

[Sander]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

See, on the Xterra the E-Brake is foot operated, and the release lever only pops it all the way out...it is a difficult procedure, my left leg is on the clutch and can not operate the E-brake pedal next to it

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

Start slipping the clutch and as you are loading the engine, pop the e-brake.

 

[guy74]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

Use the e-brake to stop from rolling back. Left foot on the clutch, right foot on the gas, left hand on the wheel and right hand on the e-brake. Hold the button down so you can smoothly release it when the clutch starts to grab.

Doesn't work quite as good with a floor mounted e-brake, but yes that is mostly how it is done. Alot easier to put in drive, apply some throttle, then release the e-brake and pull out. I didn't say I couldn't do it with a manual, just prefer the auto. I also like the safety of P lock in the trans while I'm out of the seat, it is nice not to have to shut off the engine and leave it in gear. I have done it with both, and prefer the auto just a bit safer and less hassle.

 

[rbh]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

back in 197? we would go hunting/fishing in the neighbours old ford 4x4of course it did'nt have an
e-brake, so park in gear throw a rock behind the rear wheels.

And if you started on a slope you got used to doing the heel on the brake and toes on the gas peddle thing.


Miss those trips, really fun.

 

[Sander]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

Start slipping the clutch and as you are loading the engine, pop the e-brake.

This is what I was thinking, other than using my left leg - toe on clutch, foot on ebrake.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

As for which is better in general - 90% of the tow trucks on the road are manuals.

But seeing how what really matters to you is if your tow vehicle is going to be ok. Please make sure your within your tow rating.

 

[jamerson62]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

I have pulled boats with my 2008 Jeep Wrangler 6 speed manual. The best advice I can offer you when coming up the ramp is this. Use your parking brake and hold it. When you start to hit your friction zone give it a fair amount of gas and slowing release the parking brake. This technique works really well with a hand brake, if you have a foot pedal for your parking brake it will work just need to be a little quicker with your footwork. Practice this in a park where there are hills where if your roll back your only fear is rolling down the hill, instead of water.

 

[tr_guy79]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

A little trick I learned from towing in a 5spd f-150. Get a chock with rope. Tie the chock to the vehicle with a short piece of rope, and a carabener (sp?). It will keep you from rolling back as you start up the ramp, and drag the chock along with you so it isn't in the way of the trailer tires. Once you are up the ramp on flat ground, unhook the chock, stow it, and go.... Problem solved, clutch saved...

-Shane

 

[guy74]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

To the OP's question, it comes down to personal preference. If you stay within the limits of your vehicle, they all seem to do a good job. There are ways to get around the downfalls of a manual at the ramp, but the manual trans is still a handicap at the ramp, and for someone that is inexperienced, that is a hassle that is best left out of the whole "ramp" experience.
My $.02

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

if you have a full sized pickup manual is fine. A small truck like my Ranger with a manual does not have a big enough clutch to do the job. I have driven everything from a moped to a tractor trailer and am licensed for all, but the small trucks just don't have the clutch to do it.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Towing with Manual trans, better?

if you have a full sized pickup manual is fine. A small truck like my Ranger with a manual does not have a big enough clutch to do the job. I have driven everything from a moped to a tractor trailer and am licensed for all, but the small trucks just don't have the clutch to do it.

It depends on the gear ratio too. My 4 cylinder 20R Toyota pulled like a tractor in 1st gear....I could hold the truck on the ramp with just the clutch at idle without having to use the E-brake. My s-10 is a different story, it takes a little finesse but it will do the job. People seem to forget that the Hoover dam was built with 4 cylinders and manual trannys with clutches!