Towing with an auto...

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jerrytlr

New Member
Posts
307
Location
Dordogne, France
Hi all just after a bit of advice...

Used the new L322 (4.4 V8) to tow the horse trailer for the first time yesterday - this is also the first time I have towed with an auto....

There were times when the gearbox seemed to struggle to decide what to do - for example 50mph cruising it was constantly changing up/down (or the TC was locking/unlocking - not sure which). 5mph faster and it was happier.

So a couple of questions...

1) does the auto ECU in the L322 detect the trailer is connected (like the suspension ECU) and choose a shift pattern accordingly?

2) do people tend to use tiptronic manual, sport mode, or ,leave it to sort itself out as normal' mode, when towing?

This would have been around 1.7 tonnes of trailer so not that much.

MPG dropped to around 13 with the trailer - yikes.... need to choose shows closer to home :)


Cheers,

Jerry
 
I have towed with autos for years, all sorts of different makes and models,
Each one has has changed up and down gears at between 45 and 55 mph, to stop it the easiest thing to do is to drive a little faster.. Otherwise or into adjusting the TPS and that causes more problems.

I now cruise at around 55 to 60 mph. No more problems, just remember when your speedo says your doing 60 mph you are actually doing nearer 55 mph ..
 
When pulling our horses and trailer in my td6 it used to like shifting between 4th and 5th when on the motorways

Manual mode still won't stop the gearbox from changing down a gear if it needs it

That was around 2.tonne
 
you guys have a over drive switch to turn off. Autos here have that feature. Mine a 5 speed and when towing you push the tow haul mode and kicks out 5th gear. And GM's have the same feature here.
 
jerrytlr said:
Hi all just after a bit of advice...

Used the new L322 (4.4 V8) to tow the horse trailer for the first time yesterday - this is also the first time I have towed with an auto....

There were times when the gearbox seemed to struggle to decide what to do - for example 50mph cruising it was constantly changing up/down (or the TC was locking/unlocking - not sure which). 5mph faster and it was happier.

So a couple of questions...

1) does the auto ECU in the L322 detect the trailer is connected (like the suspension ECU) and choose a shift pattern accordingly?

2) do people tend to use tiptronic manual, sport mode, or ,leave it to sort itself out as normal' mode, when towing?

This would have been around 1.7 tonnes of trailer so not that much.

MPG dropped to around 13 with the trailer - yikes.... need to choose shows closer to home :)


Cheers,

Jerry
Click to expand...

I use the gear stick to hold 3rd on the P38 until I can pick up enough speed to hold 4th, it has the advantage of letting the torque convertor lock up which makes it more economical as well.:D
If it has Tiptronic manual, I'd use that, auto's are great for towing but not that smart at holding a gear at certain speeds.
 
Have to say the shift pattern on the L322 is a bit odd as mine will always change up a gear when ascending a long steep will near Gomshall in the Surrey Hills...I just either force it lower using kick down, or shift to manual and drop a cog to hold a better climbing speed!
 
Saint.V8 said:
Have to say the shift pattern on the L322 is a bit odd as mine will always change up a gear when ascending a long steep will near Gomshall in the Surrey Hills...I just either force it lower using kick down, or shift to manual and drop a cog to hold a better climbing speed!
Click to expand...
That will also save your torque convertor sitting in the semi slip mode and prolong it's (short:rolleyes:) life:D
 
jerrytlr said:
Hi all just after a bit of advice...

Used the new L322 (4.4 V8) to tow the horse trailer for the first time yesterday - this is also the first time I have towed with an auto....

There were times when the gearbox seemed to struggle to decide what to do - for example 50mph cruising it was constantly changing up/down (or the TC was locking/unlocking - not sure which). 5mph faster and it was happier.
Then drive 5mph faster or if you're not experienced , drive 5mph slower. Any decent driver will allow for the fact you have a horse on tow and just pass you when safe.
So a couple of questions...

1) does the auto ECU in the L322 detect the trailer is connected (like the suspension ECU) and choose a shift pattern accordingly?

2) do people tend to use tiptronic manual, sport mode, or ,leave it to sort itself out as normal' mode, when towing?
I use mine to tow an Ifor williams HB511, in either empty/with one 17'2 horse/with 2 17'2 horses mode. I let it sort itself out in 'normal', unless on a hill that needs it or pulling away from soft ground.

This would have been around 1.7 tonnes of trailer so not that much.

MPG dropped to around 13 with the trailer - yikes.... need to choose shows closer to home :)
Get used to it :hysterically_laughi



Cheers,

Jerry
Click to expand...

..
 
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