Auto or manual?

[Colson]

I know this has probably already been posted in the past, but….does the size of a MH mean an auto box makes life easier or is it just down to personal preferences?

 

[David and Sally]

Auto is so much easier. You have more time to concentrate on steering the Moho and a lot less physical that clutch and gear changes.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Personal choice. If you like to drive...manual. If you like being driven ...Automatic

 

[Barryh]

Auto every time now for me. Especially on the non-toll roads in France. Point and go!

 

[dunnah01]

You can drive an auto in manual mode but you can't drive a manual in auto mode

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[hja]

Just easier to drive. Our cars have been auto for years, and both motorhomes have been. Wouldnt have anything else.

 

[Westbarn1]

No competition, Auto every time, unless its a comfortmatic.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Look through the windscreen.................................What do you see? Does it really matter? What view do you have ? .....Who cares what you are driving? Just enjoy!

 

[Clemmo]

I was sceptical having enjoyed manual Mohos for 20 years.
This time I tried Auto…. And now I wish I had many years ago.
It’s so good, so easy, so relaxing… I wouldn’t go back
Clemmo

 

[David and Sally]

Look through the windscreen.................................What do you see? Does it really matter? What view do you have ? .....Who cares what you are driving? Just enjoy!

Exactly. With an auto you have more time and concentration to enjoy the scenery.

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[CazPaul]

Manual all day especially if you have an older model, do much more reliable.

 

[PaulW2]

I think it depends. I had an Agile Auto Iveco (similar to Comfortmatic) for many years. Now have a manual.

I prefer the manual. Much of my driving is on motorways and so don't involve gear changes. And I do prefer the fine control which the manual gives me when manoeuvring.

But a good proper torque converter auto would also be a contender. I wouldn't touch another one of those automated manual gearboxes.

 

[enark]

You can drive an auto in manual mode but you can't drive a manual in auto mode

You can, but slowly!!!

Auto for sure, easier, more economic, no hill starts…

 

[Verteuil Man]

Auto with assisted Hill climb.

 

[Fdhadi]

Exactly. With an auto you have more time and concentration to enjoy the scenery.

Don’t quite understand the reasoning behind your answer. Do you drive slower if you have an auto?
Maybe I’m just such a good driver I don’t have to concentrate on gear changes.

If you can drive, either gearbox is a good choice. Some automatic gearboxes are far better than others, bit like 6 speed manual is generally better than 5 speed.

Personally, I honestly don’t mind either, swings and roundabouts.

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

Auto every time. Modern ones lock up in each gear so none of the noisy and pointless slip of old.
With hybrid vehicles and HGVs manual boxes are rarely available so the investment is now in automatic not manual and they are really evolving into something that most drivers just cannot do a better job in a manual.

 

[tacr2man]

A good auto is better than a badly driven manual box , it also makes a poorer driver safer , by taking some of the workload off .

 

[Lenny HB]

On our 3rd Auto Motorhome, last two were Comformatic never had any problems over 10 years Now have a 9 speed auto its a dream to drive.
Would never consider a Motorhome with a manual box.
Auto makes it so much easier when you need to concentrate like when you get stuck in hill top villages, something we manage often.

 

[simsy56]

Auto always.

Craig

 

[Nirvanauk]

Auto for me every time.

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[David and Sally]

Don’t quite understand the reasoning behind your answer. Do you drive slower if you have an auto?
Maybe I’m just such a good driver I don’t have to concentrate on gear changes.

If you can drive, either gearbox is a good choice. Some automatic gearboxes are far better than others, bit like 6 speed manual is generally better than 5 speed.

Personally, I honestly don’t mind either, swings and roundabouts.

Not having to change gear gives more brain time to concentrate on other things.

 

[TheAleMan]

Auto every time for the motorhome, but love driving our little 6 speed manual VW Up gti toad.

 

[stewartwebr]

Would never go back to a manual car or motorhome.

 

[Brains]

Manual every time for a motorhome.
If you are a delivery driver or a taxi, then, in the urban environment, automatic maybe, possibly, the best choice.

However for the typical motorhome driver, where much of the driving is on main roads
(get to fifth and only change gear at the next intersection in 100 miles time)
Or it's on Scottish single track, or Alpine passes, or rolling hills, then manual wins every time.

Given that motorhome drivers are typically 'long distance drivers' who think nothing of a 3,000 mile (each way) drive to Spain via the Pyrenean passes and back, I fail to see why anyone would actually chose automatic gearing.

What always surprises me is the companies sell it is 'an upgrade'
whereas I see it as a downgrade, and would actually pay more NOT to have the "advantage" of automatic gearing.

Personally I think Automatic gearboxes are one of those issues where sales people have been too successful, selling something, like "free" finance, or service "Guarantees" that the (motorhome) market does not want or need.

(Owner of a manual small van and a Automatic motorhome)

 

[David and Sally]

I suspect you are in the minority on this. I love my auto moho and auto car. I dislike my other car, a manual.

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[andyelbac]

Drove a manual car for 25 years, then switched to an auto. A little 1.6lt Focus. Never looked back. Moved on to a Honda Accord 2.0l auto, with the flappy paddles for when I felt like reverting back to the 19th century (hardly ever use them). Now we also have a 9 speed auto on our Fiat based MH. It's a joy to drive (even with the smaller 140hp engine). I'll give you another one as well that might be more controversial. I love twist and go Scooters. Got a Honda SH Mode 125cc for the back of the motorhome and about to upgrade to a new Forza 350 (possibly Forza 750). I have no inclination to ride a geared bike. If that doesn't make me a 'real' biker, I couldn't give a cr*p. I love the simplicity of driving an auto. It's a similar feeling I had to the revelation I had one day whilst driving in central London. All that crap you hear about having to drive offensively or aggressively in London. One day I just eased up off the pedal, relaxed when someone pushed in and suddenly the experience was like driving in a different city. Add in an auto box and it's (almost) a pleasure!

 

[nabsim]

I have only ever driven autos legally as I only have an auto license. Motorbikes I always go for manual. The only downside I have found with auto is in snow/slippy ground where you cant set off in a high gear, well extra cost has also been a downside but I am used to that now

 

[Jim]

I just did a 500 mile round trip in a proper Landrover defender, towing a 3.5 ton trailer. It’s a big old gearstick in a bucket of pebbles. Try as I might, I can’t recall thinking about, or making, a single gear change the whole trip.

 

[orridge]

Having driven both in a few motorhomes Auto everytime except that damm Comfortmatic box. Sitting in traffic as we unfortunately do when having to travel in School holidays not having the extra pedal and constant gear changes is great.

The new 9 speed Fiat box is so smooth and never had a problem on the hills.

 

[Lenny HB]

Manual every time for a motorhome.
If you are a delivery driver or a taxi, then, in the urban environment, automatic maybe, possibly, the best choice.

However for the typical motorhome driver, where much of the driving is on main roads
(get to fifth and only change gear at the next intersection in 100 miles time)
Or it's on Scottish single track, or Alpine passes, or rolling hills, then manual wins every time.

Given that motorhome drivers are typically 'long distance drivers' who think nothing of a 3,000 mile (each way) drive to Spain via the Pyrenean passes and back, I fail to see why anyone would actually chose automatic gearing.

What always surprises me is the companies sell it is 'an upgrade'
whereas I see it as a downgrade, and would actually pay more NOT to have the "advantage" of automatic gearing.

Personally I think Automatic gearboxes are one of those issues where sales people have been too successful, selling something, like "free" finance, or service "Guarantees" that the (motorhome) market does not want or need.

(Owner of a manual small van and a Automatic motorhome)

A very strange view.