Towing a trailer, anyone?

[WolfWings]

Originally Posted by GeneW

I don't recommend if you have an AT.

Actually, an Automatic Transmission is better at towing for most current cars, including our Yaris. Instead of slipping the clutch under the heavier load, the torque converter just does what it's designed for and multiplies the torque to let you get moving easier. It's also very easy to add an oil cooler to most automatic transmissions, which can almost eliminate the added wear and tear from towing.

For example, you could only get the Metric Tonne towing package for a Jeep Comanche with the AT because it was feasable to hook up a transmission-fluid cooler since the AT fluid was actively pumped like engine oil is, and and the stock AT torque converter could handle the load but the stock MT clutch would burn out.

With that package and a 5th-wheel kit reinforcing the frame? Those things are BEASTLY tow machines though, they have no problem towing a 35-foot 5th-wheel RV in the 16,000lbs range at 65 for hours on end. On a sub-3,500lbs compact pickup truck, mind.

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by WolfWings

Actually, an Automatic Transmission is better at towing for most current cars, including our Yaris. Instead of slipping the clutch under the heavier load, the torque converter just does what it's designed for and multiplies the torque to let you get moving easier. It's also very easy to add an oil cooler to most automatic transmissions, which can almost eliminate the added wear and tear from towing.

For example, you could only get the Metric Tonne towing package for a Jeep Comanche with the AT because it was feasable to hook up a transmission-fluid cooler since the AT fluid was actively pumped like engine oil is, and and the stock AT torque converter could handle the load but the stock MT clutch would burn out.

With that package and a 5th-wheel kit reinforcing the frame? Those things are BEASTLY tow machines though, they have no problem towing a 35-foot 5th-wheel RV in the 16,000lbs range at 65 for hours on end. On a sub-3,500lbs compact pickup truck, mind.

I don't doubt that the AT will do a better job at towing than an MT, especially given the "grabbing" I've been hearing about with Yaris clutches.

Can the AT hack it? Cooling isn't quite enough, you also need to modify the AT in SOME CASES to accept higher loads.

Gene