Posted on 09/09/2019 17:56
Having seriously started looking for a new car (probably a Mondeo diesel) I wonder how automatics fare in towing?
I have driven automatics but never towed with one. The Mondeo, in my experience tows well and is very comfortable etc. It also has a sound noseweight limit!
Posted on 19/09/2019 10:24
I periodically take a look at the vehicles available for towing and one of my prerequisites is that the car should be an automatic. I can't see me wanting to change back to a manual gear change. On the Discovery, I always have the option to slip into manual control. How often do I use it?..... Basically, never! 
David
1 person likes this
Posted on 19/09/2019 10:24 by DSBI periodically take a look at the vehicles available for towing and one of my prerequisites is that the car should be an automatic. I can't see me wanting to change back to a manual gear change. On the Discovery, I always have the option to slip into manual control. How often do I use it?..... Basically, never!
David
Posted on 20/09/2019 09:51
Sandgroper - we have an automatic 2015 Mondeo Estate with 180bhp engine. It tows like a dream pulling a 1350kg caravan. On a recent trip to Inverness we got 33.12mpg over 462 miles (tank full to tank full) and on the return 31.15 mpg over 502 miles with quite a stiff head wind for the last leg of 100 miles.
This is the second auto Mondeo we have had, the previous one being a 150bhp engine but it was still a very good towcar. The other advantage is the very generous payload allowance, a cavernous boot and a noseweight limit of 90kg.
Can certainly recommend it as a tow vehicle.
Posted on 20/09/2019 10:04
It will be interesting to see how many of this year's entries in the Club's Towcar of the Year awards, announced later today, are automatics.
Personally, having towed with both variations, I much prefer the automatics and wouldn't choose to go back to three pedals.
Posted on 20/09/2019 09:51 by JohnM20Sandgroper - we have an automatic 2015 Mondeo Estate with 180bhp engine. It tows like a dream pulling a 1350kg caravan. On a recent trip to Inverness we got 33.12mpg over 462 miles (tank full to tank full) and on the return 31.15 mpg over 502 miles with quite a stiff head wind for the last leg of 100 miles.
This is the second auto Mondeo we have had, the previous one being a 150bhp engine but it was still a very good towcar. The other advantage is the very generous payload allowance, a cavernous boot and a noseweight limit of 90kg.
Can certainly recommend it as a tow vehicle.
Posted on 23/09/2019 16:34
Mine is a 2009 Titanium X 140 bhp. It has served us well and is a great tow car imo. However it is pretty clear that times are a changing and there will be a year by year effort to squeeze the diesels and petrol vehicles off the road, probably by simply tightening the emissions criteria under the MOT. The new rules increase the powers of the testing station if you break the rules and could render your car worthless in some cases!
As I am approaching my 80th birthday I am looking at probably my last change of car . My query about autos was that there are many on the market and it simply widens my choice if they tow well, even though the additional complication might be expensive if problems arise. As you are using a Ford auto box that is useful info, thanks!
Sandgroper
Caravanner