Towing an Automatic Motorhome

[Wofogg]

Morning All and Happy New Year.

Maybe an old wife's tale But my understanding is that any vehicle with an automatic gearbox cannot be towed .....is this true?
If so what is the procedure for extraction of a motorhome with auto box which has become stuck in a sodden grass pitch ? The local farmer with tractor wouldn't be an option or any other vehicle on site willing to have a go at assisting with a towrope.

 

[Daffy64]

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.....Re: Dealers
Anyone on here purchased pre owned from Abacus just outside Andover ?

We bought new from Abacus but would have happily bought used from them - from a sales perspective they were very good but it’s all about after sales really as thats where the fun starts. I’m happy to report that they have exceeded our expectations and been brilliant.

 

[JaG]

IIRC a short and slow tow like that is ok.

If it’s a Comformatic box that is only a robotised manual so in neutral the same as any other manual box

I have the Comfortmatic box. Are you saying that it can be towed short distances without any damage, say half a mile maybe?

 

[Brian Thompson]

I have the Comfortmatic box. Are you saying that it can be towed short distances without any damage, say half a mile maybe?

According to my Comfortmatic handbook If it moves in neutral it can be towed just the same as a manual. Distance is not relevant

 

[L' Hobo]

That is a very good question. I googled it . it says it depends on if it's a full automatic or a electronic controlled manual automatic which i have ie its a Comfortmatic . It also says in the handbook it's ok to tow if in neutral.

As a last resort, one should always take notice of the vehicle handbook!

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[Tony50]

As a last resort, one should always take notice of the vehicle handbook!

Comfortmatic in neutral you can tow like a manual box , proper automatic gearbox just to tow out of mud very short distance ok ,but as some said drive it at same time as tow .
The problem with towing proper automatic, is the internal oil pump ( from memory) won't be supplying oil to guts of the gearbox on tow, this is what messes the gearbox .

 

[Brian Thompson]

Comfortmatic in neutral you can tow like a manual box , proper automatic gearbox just to tow out of mud very short distance ok ,but as some said drive it at same time as tow .
The problem with towing proper automatic, is the internal oil pump ( from memory) won't be supplying oil to guts of the gearbox on tow, this is what messes the gearbox .

That's what concerned me is just being able to tow it of a muddy field . If the engines running it should keep supplying the box with oil i think .

 

[TonyEmm]

Morning All and Happy New Year.

Maybe an old wife's tale But my understanding is that any vehicle with an automatic gearbox cannot be towed .....is this true?
If so what is the procedure for extraction of a motorhome with auto box which has become stuck in a sodden grass pitch ? The local farmer with tractor wouldn't be an option or any other vehicle on site willing to have a go at assisting with a towrope.

A short tow such as off a pitch isn’t a problem. Extended tows, at speed will be as a full automatic needs the gearbox to be lubricated. The engine would need to be running, with the box in neutral.