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?

 

[Jim]

My last few vans have been auto, but it's not something I insist upon because I know, like most people , I quickly get on with whatever box I'm driving and thereafter give it no thought. Is Auto easier, probably, is it better, well, that depends..

If a van I was lusting after ticked every box but was manual, I'd still buy it. And vice versa.

 

[Lenny HB]

My last few vans have been auto, but it's not something I insist upon because I know, like most people , I quickly get on with whatever box I'm driving and thereafter give it no thought. Is Auto easier, probably, is it better, well, that depends..

If a van I was lusting after ticked every box but was manual, I'd still buy it. And vice versa.

I would agree on that with a car but not a van.
Van cable gear changes are horrible, clutches are heaiver than car, not a pleasant drive. Last thing you want is struggling to find gears on mountain roads and hill top villages with no room to manover a large vehicle.

 

[Go_buddy_go_]

Auto

 

[Odd job]

I haven't owned a manual vehicle for over 35 years. The new autos are much better, I drove manual work vans when they got to 6 gears I'm not sure I used the most efficient gear all the time. Now we have 9 speed boxes, nobody can manage to control that efficiently. So auto is easier to drive and more fuel efficient. I wouldn't but a manual anything, apart from a motorbike.

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[funflair]

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)

I am not convinced that that is actually the case now, automatics are typically 8 or 9 speed vs a manual that is more like 6 speed so the jump between gears is smaller allowing the engine to stay in the sweet spot torque band, added to that an auto box changes gear faster than any manual operator can so less momentum is lost on downchage on climbs, autos can be held in the gear of choice and can be changed "manually" so I really can't see any downside.

 

[Nirvanauk]

Auto every time for us.

 

[ontheroadagain]

The new 9 speed Fiat box is so smooth

Has anyone taken delivery of a Fiat with the new 8 speed auto?
I wonder how it compares to the previous 9 speed.
Is it an upgrade or a downgrade?

 

[SVMC15]

I don't understand the view that manuals some how take more concentration to drive. You look out the windscreen, listen to what is going on and your left leg and left arm do their thing. Not really anything difficult it's natural, if anything it keeps the brain active.

I also quite like moving my left leg every now and again, it stops it getting bored!

 

[PaulW2]

Whether manuals take up valuable brain space and so make driving more dangerous is a question worth having an answer to.

There was reportedly a study in Japan some years ago. Drivers of automatic vehicles were almost twice as likely to be involved in non-serious accidents, but there wasn’t a significant difference in head-on accidents.

Of course there would be many potential reasons for this - the hypothesis here was, I think, that auto drivers tended to switch off - but I wonder whether the UK experience is similar and, if so, whether insurers may catch on.

But I guess it may all be moot - in our brave new electric future everything will be “auto”!

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[cyberyacht]

I don't know what the fuss is all about. I've always had manual cars or moho's. The only significant experience of auto was a rental in the US from North Carolina to Florida and back plus pottering around en route. A manual is not the hazard/labour/distraction that is being propounded here. If you find doing/thinking about changing gear on a manual difficult, I would question your driving ability.( ducks and runs)

 

[Reallyretired]

Of our four vehicles only one is automatic. I prefer driving a manual and swmbo absolutely refuses to even attempt an auto.
I find going long drives with the auto makes my left leg seize up which is painful so I have to exercise it while driving.
I wouldn't bother which gearbox a mh had if everything else was right, but not comfortmatic.

 

[ROCHESB]

Of our four vehicles only one is automatic. I prefer driving a manual and swmbo absolutely refuses to even attempt an auto.
I find going long drives with the auto makes my left leg seize up which is painful so I have to exercise it while driving.
I wouldn't bother which gearbox a mh had if everything else was right, but not comfortmatic.

On a long drive, my left leg gets no more exercise driving an auto vs manual. I do however get cramp in my right leg so cruise control is handy. My wife found the manual Fiat Ducato gearchange and clutch hard work & hated driving it in traffic. I am firmly in the auto camp. I find our hybrid cars so easy to drive with performance similar to an EV from standstill.

 

[1090alex]

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?

The consensus is that auto is much more "user friendly " in any most sizes of vehicles .This definitely goes for motor homes .
In the used market the demand is always high for autos.

 

[1090alex]

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?

The consensus is that auto is much more "user friendly " in any most sizes of vehicles .This definitely goes for motor homes .
In the used market the demand is always high for autos

On a long drive, my left leg gets no more exercise driving an auto vs manual. I do however get cramp in my right leg so cruise control is handy. My wife found the manual Fiat Ducato gearchange and clutch hard work & hated driving it in traffic. I am firmly in the auto camp. I find our hybrid cars so easy to drive with performance similar to an EV from standstill.

If you've got an auto try using your left foot for braking. It means you can "cover" the brake pedal during periods of driving when you're braking a lot ,for example in heavy stop start driving. However I'd try it in an empty car park or somewhere quiet until you get used to it

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[Northernraider]

Automatics are lazy ...and I think if you drive one constantly its easy to forget after a while how to drive manual.


That said , if I could afford a motorhome that had everything I wanted layout wise and had a proven reliable hassle free autobox I would have one..

But the horror stories I've read and heard regarding the expense of replacing one puts me off. If my manual gearbox failed I'd be sourcing a second hand unit from a scrap delivery van there will be hundreds to chose from ... a good second hand auto box wouldn't be so easy to get so that's a deciding factor for me.
Of course IF you can afford a new van and can afford possible big repair bills if it fails then you're in a better position than me.


So in summary I'd quite like the lazy drive of one .. sometimes I get tired of going up and down the gears on windy mountain roads etc .

But the possible chance of paying half the price I paid for the van to have an auto box fixed puts me off.


I went out my way to find a manual 125 scooter too

 

[1090alex]

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)

I do a huge amount of driving on single track roads and remote Highland passes.
All the vehicles I own are autos. On these roads a manual gearbox is tedious.
With a good auto mated to an engine with adequate torque a steep hilly and twisting road is quite a relaxing experience. Try that in a manual....third is too high...try second ...too low engine roaring it's head off. Keep jumping from second to third and so on....

 

[1090alex]

Automatics are lazy ...and I think if you drive one constantly its easy to forget after a while how to drive manual.


That said , if I could afford a motorhome that had everything I wanted layout wise and had a proven reliable hassle free autobox I would have one..

But the horror stories I've read and heard regarding the expense of replacing one puts me off. If my manual gearbox failed I'd be sourcing a second hand unit from a scrap delivery van there will be hundreds to chose from ... a good second hand auto box wouldn't be so easy to get so that's a deciding factor for me.
Of course IF you can afford a new van and can afford possible big repair bills if it fails then you're in a better position than me.


So in summary I'd quite like the lazy drive of one .. sometimes I get tired

of going up and down the gears on windy mountain roads etc .

But the possible chance of paying half the price I paid for the van to have an auto box fixed puts me off.


I went out my way to find a manual 125 scooter too

In my experience you're far more likely to have issues with a manual gearbox than auto. Clutches,dual mass flywheels,hydraulic leaks,clutch cables etc. Modern autos tend to be bullet proof.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Definitely auto if I was having a new one, not comfortmatic though.

 

[CazPaul]

In my experience you're far more likely to have issues with a manual gearbox than auto. Clutches,dual mass flywheels,hydraulic leaks,clutch cables etc. Modern autos tend to be bullet proof.

I disagree, even the new auto boxes on Fiat I know 3 people already who have had to have complete new systems.
I don’t know anyone with a manual gearbox who has had to have it replaced after such a short period of time.

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[Northernraider]

In my experience you're far more likely to have issues with a manual gearbox than auto. Clutches,dual mass flywheels,hydraulic leaks,clutch cables etc. Modern autos tend to be bullet proof.

In cars perhaps but in vans certainly not what I've heard or read.


You only have to look on this thread how many have said "....not comfortmatic though "

And I've heard a few issues with newer merc boxes too.



But as I will probably never buy a brand new motorhome and the ones likely in my price range are now 15- 20 years old there's not many out there I'd risk buying , I wouldn't have a comfortmatic, and I'm not sure I'd want a sprintshift .

 

[David and Sally]

Good thing we have a choice. When the eco warriors have forced us into all electric vehicles they will have to fit pretend clutch pedals and gear sticks for those wedded to manual. Optional extras

 

[1090alex]

In cars perhaps but in vans certainly not what I've heard or read.


You only have to look on this thread how many have said "....not comfortmatic though "

And I've heard a few issues with newer merc boxes too.



But as I will probably never buy a brand new motorhome and the ones likely in my price range are now 15- 20 years old there's not many out there I'd risk buying , I wouldn't have a comfortmatic, and I'm not sure I'd want a sprintshift .

I sold vans for 30 years ,most were manual because of the extra cost. However the autos rarely went wrong. Couldn't say that about the manuals ,unfortunately

 

[1090alex]

I sold vans for 30 years ,most were manual because of the extra cost. However the autos rarely went wrong. Couldn't say that about the manuals ,unfortunately

A comfortmatic is not a true automatic...

 

[Northernraider]

I sold vans for 30 years ,most were manual because of the extra cost. However the autos rarely went wrong. Couldn't say that about the manuals ,unfortunately

That's purely because as you say the manuals far outnumbered the automatics so of course there would be more issues.


A very small percentage of company vans are automatic.

In all the various jobs I've had where I've been driving company vans I don't recall ever driving an automatic one

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[rolosroller]

Manual

 

[Folkranger]

Auto, by a mile.

 

[Pappy]

We have a comfortmatic and it’s way better than the manual in the last van.

 

[1090alex]

That's purely because as you say the manuals far outnumbered the automatics so of course there would be more issues.


A very small percentage of company vans are automatic.

In all the various jobs I've had where I've been driving company vans I don't recall ever driving an automatic one

The numbers don't explain why there were no issues with autos on the vehicles we sold . Quite a few on manuals.
The reason why company vans are usually manual is due to the extra cost for the auto which usually comes with a higher engine output. This in turns adds more to the price. VWs Transporters a good example of this.

 

[Northernraider]

The numbers don't explain why there were no issues with autos on the vehicles we sold . Quite a few on manuals.
The reason why company vans are usually manual is due to the extra cost for the auto which usually comes with a higher engine output. This in turns adds more to the price. VWs Transporters a good example of this.

Yes the extra cost of repairing an auto that drivers have abused.

I can't see any courier companies ever changing all their fleets to auto.

Sprinter, crafter iveco etc are the main used vans . Vw transporters are for small business

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[rod_vw]

During the past two years we have gone from being 100% manual to now both camper and every day car being auto.
The car is a 7 speed DSG with ACC, Lane assist Stop-Start and an electric handbrake so it almost drives itself.
The camper is a 8 speed torque converter also with ACC and Stop-Start but none of the extras.
The annoying problem is the differences in which the Stop-Start is implemented in slightly different ways.
Our third vehicle is a LHD with a manual 4 speed with no synchromesh on any gear. Now that can focus the mind when getting into this one from an auto boxed vehicle!
Just to add complication to these three my brother owes a classic car with a Wilson pre-selector gearbox which I drive on very odd occasions.
We love all of these.
So to answer the OP's question, try both auto and manual of the type of vehicle that you are interested in and buy the one that best fills your requirements.