Manual or Auto for towing

captncruise

Forum Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
32
Location
Kilaben Bay NSW
I have had clutch problems with my MY03 Forry. Some say it is because I tow a Coromal Silouette wind up camper. ATM 1300kg. It has 200k Km on clock.

I have a chance of buying an auto 2003 XT luxury Forester with 74K KM in very good condition (From my son).

What thoughts do you have about towing with auto as opposed to manual? Apart from a transmission cooler.

How well to the turbos last?
 
I think troyXT can help you out with this one!
 
Be nice if you could get a newer MY08> WRX one fitted as they have a 3,000lb clamping force compared to your 2,000 & a std WRX's 2,500, I've got one & it's great but a lot of messing around, you'd have to get really friendly with a clutch builder as you need a different flywheel too.
Subi auto's on the other hand are pretty good for most things.
 
Mate, if you got 200,000k's out of a clutch towing, you must be doing something right. The more work a turbo does, like everything else, the quicker it will wear out. How quick- who knows, but they are pretty reliable in standard trim. Expect high fuel consumption compared to what you have.
 
My original clutch did 170K with not much towing. It started giving trouble just before I bought the camper so I had a new after market clutch fitted.

This lasted 35K before it started slipping. It was just out of warranty but I took it back to the supplier who sent it to Exidy in Melbourne for a report. It has been LOST and no one will accept responsibility. So I have to wear it.

I have also learned that a dual mass flywheel can contribute to problems under heavy loads.

I am considering looking for a Diesel Prado to replace the Forester but it wouldn't fit in the garage of my present house. The house is up for sale which will leave me some cash to buy another vehicle.
 
When I was getting my clutch sorted he had an new WRX Exedy sitting there, he put it on the machine and it showed only 2,000lb clamping force=garbage, better off going for a well built generic one.
 
There were issues with that brand with regards the damper springs. What was supposed to be identical to OE was in fact inferior. Dual mass flywheels do cause grief- and if theForrie gives grief I have one from my WRX that I can replace it with. gee- selling your house to get another car! :) I look at the compromises involved. The prado will have more space and tow better and be more capable in extreme offroad conditions. The Forrie will be ten times better to drive everyday. What will you be doing mostly. Also, did you use low range on take off when towing in the Forrie?
 
I guess there is no 'perfect' rig.
My compromise is a small and light camper trailer that tows easily behing my Outback.
Obviously this doesn't suit those with larger households / partners who want the indoor kitchen, etc. If those are already a given then it probably necessitates a larger tug.
I think the most important consideration is to not try and tow at the theoretical limit of the 'tug' - in the real world relying on 'theory' often leads to a less than optimal outcome!
 
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