automatic vs manual for towing

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

someone@somewhere.org - 28 Sep 2005 23:26 GMT

Totally hypothetically speaking, because I've been told by many experts
on usenet that towing _any_ trailer with anything less than a full size
truck is dangerous, and I _will_ kill someone by believing the tow
rating specified in my owners manual. <g>

Lets say I have a '94 1.8L 4spd automatic Corolla and I've been loading
~1200lbs of firewood on an 250lb trailer and towing it 200 miles four or
five times a year for the last few years. I usually leave it in
overdrive and tow at the speed limit (65mph) most of the time. I'll pop it
out of overdrive to go up the hills and sometimes slow it down to 60mph
on the longer hills so I don't overheat anything. Lets assume that
I've never had any problems doing this and the transmission seems happy with
160k miles on it. I am thinking about getting a new Corolla and was trying
to decide between a 4spd automatic and a 5spd manual and wondering if this
usage should impact my decision.

I know that trucks are often rated for higher towing capacities with
automatics than the manuals. However, in this case we aren't talking
about towing a 4-ton travel trailer over the Rockies every weekend,
we're (hypothetically) talking about towing a 3/4-ton utility trailer
1000 miles a year with the occasional mile long moderate grade hill.
Toyota seems to rate the Corolla with a 1500lb towing capacity regardless
of the transmission.

Anyone out there have any towing experience with a manual Corolla? Any
educated opinions on if the Corolla 5spd clutch is tough enough for this
usage? If I burn one out a clutch will I find something in the
aftermarket that would take this "abuse"? Any issues other than the clutch?
Should I trust that Toyota would lower the towing capacity of the manual if
it was an issue? Should I just go for the 4spd automatic again because
starting off at the toll booths will be easier?

Note to experts who use a truck to tow: This is totally hypothetical.
I realize that a Corolla cannot even support the weight of a hitch
without killing small children and causing my transmission to explode.

Thanks in advance!

Reply to this Message

Jeff Strickland - 29 Sep 2005 01:38 GMT

1.) I would NOT tow that load with a Corolla.
2.) I would recommend you not tow that load with a Corolla.
3.) if you elect to ignore my advice, then at least do not use Overdrive.
Let the car stay in 3rd or 4th (automatic or manual, respectively).

The problem with that load isn't getting it going, it's getting it stopped.
The brakes on your Corolla should not be happy at all, especially in an
emergency. Yes, I get that you _never_ have emergencies, but the other cars
around are bound to have one eventually, and having your car under control
can make the difference in living to enjoy your retirement account, or not.

If you observe the Towing Capacity figures on the factory literature --
sales brochures, owner's manuals, etc. -- then you should be fine, despite
my advice.

> Totally hypothetically speaking, because I've been told by many experts
> on usenet that towing _any_ trailer with anything less than a full size
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance!

Reply to this Message

Dan J.S. - 29 Sep 2005 03:50 GMT

If its rated to tow that much, you should be fine... i am towing a 3400 lbs
boat with my Sienna... and its rated for 3500lbs... i called toyota, talked
to mechanics, and its all good. Toyota would not rate it for 1500lbs if the
car could not make it...

in Europe, people use small cars like the corolla (and the corolla too) to
tow boats, etc. almost all cars have some kind of a towing system put in
place as folks are into towing there more than ever... so no worries...

Reply to this Message

Ray O - 29 Sep 2005 05:38 GMT

Stick with the automatic. With regular automatic transmission fluid changes
(make sure you use the correct fluid as I believe the Corolla uses special
fluid) the automatic transmission will outlast the clutch when towing.

As long as you're within the vehicle's towing capacity and have the trailer
properly loaded (paying attention to tongue weight, etc,, then you should be
OK. If you're shopping for a new trailer or want to upgrade your present
trailer, consider surge brakes for the trailer.

Signature

Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

Reply to this Message

Bruce L. Bergman - 29 Sep 2005 06:01 GMT

>Totally hypothetically speaking, because I've been told by many experts
>on usenet that towing _any_ trailer with anything less than a full size
>truck is dangerous, and I _will_ kill someone by believing the tow
>rating specified in my owners manual. <g>

Some cars overstate their towing capacities a bit, but the main
danger (as has been pointed out) is in braking.

>Lets say I have a '94 1.8L 4spd automatic Corolla and I've been loading
>~1200lbs of firewood on an 250lb trailer and towing it 200 miles four or
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>to decide between a 4spd automatic and a 5spd manual and wondering if this
>usage should impact my decision.

Either transmission will work, but if you get an automatic you MUST
add an auxiliary transmission cooler if it doesn't have a 'Desert
Cooling' or Towing package on it (that includes one) from the factory.

And if you pick the Stick, you MUST be sure to only allow
experienced drivers to tow with it. Only one thing will smoke a
clutch faster than a novice Stick driver, and that's a novice Stick
driver with a fully loaded vehicle. Especially if the novice is
driving in a hilly area, with those challenging stoplights and stop
signs halfway up a 10% grade.

If this is your own trailer, see if you can buy one with either
electric brakes or hydraulic surge brakes, or have them retrofitted to
your old trailer. If you rent the trailer, insist on the one with the
surge brakes, even if you have to go one size trailer larger to get
them.

Getting going is easy, you have all the time in the world to
accelerate - but if someone stops short in front of you, you have that
much room to get your vehicle and trailer stopped, and absolutely no
more. (That is, without ramming them.) Trailer brakes can shave 25%
or more off stopping distances.

--<< Bruce >>--

Signature

Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

Reply to this Message

xmirage2kx - 29 Sep 2005 20:36 GMT

"" wrote:

> Totally hypothetically speaking, because I've been told by
> many experts
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance!

throwing caution to the wind here, it really doesnt matter. it is
easier to burn out a clutch, and you could cause damage to the
tranny.... but the same is true for an auto tranny. in an auto it
could switch gears at an improper time and basically shred itself, or
you could end up burning the clutch or jumping it and breaking
something. I prefer to tow in a manual, I know what I am trying to do
better than the car knows, and I can predict what is up ahead while
the car only knows once you are there. I towed a 5000# trailer
1000miles over the rockies in a little 2.2L pickup. the tow rating was
something like 1500#. was it dumb, yes. but 6 years later the truck
still runs great, never even had to replace anything. braking could be
fun, but with a stick you can assist that, however for any real towing
adding a brake kit or a trailer assist is a good idea.
as a side note I never liked automatic transmissions, nothing like
going up a hill in 2nd at 30mph, having it switch to 3rd and lose all
your speed and wont switch back to 2nd until you hit 15mph. All auto
trannys shift like a newbie at the stick wether its a 80’s honda, or a
2005 caddy.

Reply to this Message