Tow Vehicle Features Needs and Wants
 

"Rich Conley" wrote in message
.. .
Just kinda curious as to why you guys all suggest automatic transmissions.

(Our current tow vehicle is a Ford Econoline 350 Diesel Van. Its a stick.)

It used to be that automatic transmissions couldn't handle the added stress of towing and that
standard transmissions were recommended for that task. Now, transmission technology has improved
and they are able to tow without difficulty.

I think the major reason that "everyone" recommends automatic transmissions is they're "easy". No
more drifting backwards on steep landings, no more smell of burnt clutch, engine revving and the
whole works lurching up the ramp. People have gotten used to driving automatic transmission
equipped vehicles and have forgotten how to drive a standard transmission (for the most part).

I've had both types of transmission and successfully towed boats. It is considerably easier to
apply the power to the drive wheels with an automatic, just press on the gas pedal harder. And I've
gotten lazier in my old age as well. I like simply socking it in drive and taking off... :)
--
Steve
OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Tow Vehicle Features Needs and Wants
 

well..that makes sense....

(from the kid who has 200K miles on his CLUTCH.)

RichZ wrote:

Rich wrote:
Just kinda curious as to why you guys all suggest automatic transmissions.

The vehicle manufacturers all recommend autos for towing. I guess they are
afraid that no-one knows how to drive a standard anymore? I've had one tow
vehicle with an automatic in the past 35 years. That was stolen after 2
years, and I couldn't wait to replace it with a standard.

RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

Tow Vehicle Features Needs and Wants
 

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in message
...

"Rich Conley" wrote in message
.. .
Just kinda curious as to why you guys all suggest automatic
transmissions.

(Our current tow vehicle is a Ford Econoline 350 Diesel Van. Its a
stick.)

It used to be that automatic transmissions couldn't handle the added
stress of towing and that
standard transmissions were recommended for that task. Now, transmission
technology has improved
and they are able to tow without difficulty.

I think the major reason that "everyone" recommends automatic
transmissions is they're "easy". No
more drifting backwards on steep landings, no more smell of burnt clutch,
engine revving and the
whole works lurching up the ramp. People have gotten used to driving
automatic transmission
equipped vehicles and have forgotten how to drive a standard transmission
(for the most part).

I've had both types of transmission and successfully towed boats. It is
considerably easier to
apply the power to the drive wheels with an automatic, just press on the
gas pedal harder. And I've
gotten lazier in my old age as well. I like simply socking it in drive
and taking off... :)


Right with you on that one Steve... I've used both, and have definitely
gotten spoiled by the automatic. That uphill take-off from the algae cover
ramps is all the convincing I need. I haven't forgotten how to drive one,
but I sure as hell don't want another one. IMO, I can't imagine a reason
why someone would still want a manual transmission, except maybe being
stubborn and stuck in their past ways, or they don't want the spouse driving
their truck. As you've mentioned, current technology has made the need for
them practically obsolete, not to mention making them a tougher sale when
you're ready to move into a new vehicle...
--
Andrew Kidd
http://www.amiasoft.com/ - Software for the rest of us!
http://www.rofb.net/ - ROFB Newsgroup Home

Tow Vehicle Features Needs and Wants
 

I bought a Ranger a few years back with a standard transmission, just so my
wife wouldn't want to drive it! You must have been through the same, since
you figured that out.

I can't keep her out of the Ranger I have now... with an automatic.


"Andrew Kidd" wrote in message
news:wwbvb.259042$Tr4.806683@attbi_s03...

snip
IMO, I can't imagine a reason
why someone would still want a manual transmission, except maybe being
stubborn and stuck in their past ways, or they don't want the spouse
driving
their truck.
--
Andrew Kidd
http://www.amiasoft.com/ - Software for the rest of us!
http://www.rofb.net/ - ROFB Newsgroup Home

Tow Vehicle Features Needs and Wants
 

Nahhh, haven't been there...but I might have thought about it before... :-)
--
Andrew Kidd
http://www.amiasoft.com/ - Software for the rest of us!
http://www.rofb.net/ - ROFB Newsgroup Home


"Charles B. Summers" (Comcast) wrote in
message ...
I bought a Ranger a few years back with a standard transmission, just so
my
wife wouldn't want to drive it! You must have been through the same, since
you figured that out.

I can't keep her out of the Ranger I have now... with an automatic.


"Andrew Kidd" wrote in message
news:wwbvb.259042$Tr4.806683@attbi_s03...

snip
IMO, I can't imagine a reason
why someone would still want a manual transmission, except maybe being
stubborn and stuck in their past ways, or they don't want the spouse
driving
their truck.
--
Andrew Kidd
http://www.amiasoft.com/ - Software for the rest of us!
http://www.rofb.net/ - ROFB Newsgroup Home

Tow Vehicle Features Needs and Wants
 

My wife has never driven a vehicle with an automatic, other than the GMC I
had that was stolen.

I live in very hilly country, and have no desire to drive an auto. Shifting
and using the clutch has been 2nd nature to me for 40 some years. and I've
never had to put a clutch in any of the vehicles I've towed with.

RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

Tow Vehicle Features Needs and Wants
 

"RichZ" wrote in message
...
My wife has never driven a vehicle with an automatic, other than the GMC I
had that was stolen.

I live in very hilly country, and have no desire to drive an auto.
Shifting
and using the clutch has been 2nd nature to me for 40 some years. and I've
never had to put a clutch in any of the vehicles I've towed with.


So is it safe to say we know which side of my suggested scenarios you sit
on?

IMO, I can't imagine a reason why someone would still want a manual
transmission, except maybe being stubborn and stuck in their past ways,
or they don't want the spouse driving their truck.

:-) Just having a little fun, Rich...needed a release after the screwed up
week I've had so far...and there's still Friday to contend with! Man I hope
that the weather holds until this weekend...
--
Andrew Kidd
http://www.amiasoft.com/ - Software for the rest of us!
http://www.rofb.net/ - ROFB Newsgroup Home

Tow Vehicle Features Needs and Wants
 

Andrew wrote:
So is it safe to say we know which side of my suggested scenarios you sit
on?

Absolutely. Why change something that ain't broken?

RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

Tow Vehicle Features Needs and Wants
 

And tradin-n value doesn't enter my equation, because I never trade a
vehicle in. I tend to drive them till they are pretty much dead. My wife's
no driving the '92 blazer I got when my '89 Jimmy was stolen. She sold the
'85 (280K miles) for 300 bucks. Maybe she'd have gotten $350 if it was an
automatic?G


RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

Tow Vehicle Features Needs and Wants
 

That's your European root, Mr.Z! ;-) :-)

On Thu, 20 Nov 2003, RichZ wrote:

My wife has never driven a vehicle with an automatic, other than the GMC =
I
had that was stolen.

I live in very hilly country, and have no desire to drive an auto. Shifti=
ng
and using the clutch has been 2nd nature to me for 40 some years. and I'v=
e
never had to put a clutch in any of the vehicles I've towed with.

RichZ=A9
www.richz.com/fishing