Hi Kat. I have mostly always owned manual cars. I was soon to be in the market for a new car when a work colleague broke their leg in a serious way. They needed those bolts and bars that screw to the outside of you leg while the bones mend. When he was well enough to return to work he couldn't drive his manual SUV (for towing a caravan), and his wife also had an older manual car. The wife could drive the SUV, but would not tow the caravan. Hence, they didn't go caravanning for a very long time. So they traded the wife's car in for a new automatic car which he could drive until he could return to his SUV. This prompted me to think about me a single person and not being able to drive a manual vehicle. What if I injured my leg while towing my caravan, who would do the driving home? So, I made the decision to purchase an automatic SUV for the reason if I had "leg problems" and couldn't use a clutch. When I move to the UK on retirement, I will be buying am automatic motorhome.
Hi just purchased a 2020 Fiat ducato motorhome with 9 speed automatic gearbox . It a pleasure to drive , being a hgv driver for a living most trucks are now automatic. I would find it hard to go back to a manual gearbox as I find autos so much more relaxing. Great channel thanks Darren.
Hi Kat yes we got an Automatic 9speed box on our 140 bhp fiat based van, awesome would never go back to manual would rather pay £3k more any day great video xx
I have been subscribed to you for a few months now, and in December I became the proud owner of a Toyota Alphard from Fantastic Campervans in Dairsie in Fife. The Alphard is an automatic gearbox which I find easier to drive because of my disability. I have previously had a Renault Trafic Holdsworth but with no power steering, it killed my shoulders and neck. Plus my wife has rheumatoid arthritis and she had trouble climbing into the van. My wife has no problems getting into and out of the Alphard. All we need now is a break in this lockdown so that we can get out and have some adventures! Many thanks for all the information, hints, tips and wonderful videos that you have made available for campervan and motorhome owners everywhere.
All automatic, plus the semi autos (which are really manual with an auto clutch and computer) have the facility for the driver to down-change through the gearbox for engine braking when descending steep hills, etc.
Interesting points there Kat.. My last two tow cars have been automatic and really couldn't go back. The issue is that autos often fail more than manuals and often cost a great deal more to maintain. As you say a few of them won't tow much at all. I quite fancied a Honda CRV as very reliable cars but only tow 1.5 tonne on them and even then can overheat towing. Now have a Kia Auto and that's been great to tow with. Another thing for people is if you are towing on Motorway up an incline and have cruise control on it often kicks down sometimes twice when doesn't need to.
I remember being told this example for how to use your feet on the peddles of an automatic: Your left foot is used to releasing the clutch gently but pushing the peddle down quickly to full depression. This is the exact opposite to how you want to use a brake peddle. This explained to me that it would be very easy to finish up with my nose on the windscreen if I tried to ‘left foot brake’!😲😲
Sorry to correct you, but Fiat Ducato's are offered with their (Comformatic?) Robotised Gearbox, which uses a motorised clutch and hydraulic gear shifting of what is effectively a manual gearbox. It does not use a torque converter. The Robotised gearbox is expected to perform the same as a manual 'box (fuel efficiency wise), which was not the case with a torque converter 'box. Nowadays, modern Auto's are as efficient. We bought with an Auto box because it's less effort, particularly while creeping in traffic jams or when driving on hilly terrain.
Always feel free to correct me, but I believe the Comfort-matic (which was indeed robotised) was replaced by Fiat in 2020 for a torque-convertor, 9 speed automatic gear box on their newest models. Glad you're enjoying the auto- it makes long drives a heck of a lot easier.
@@WanderingBird You are quite correct but the most common ones around just now are the Fiat 6 speed comfortmatic as they were produced for a while up to last year. The comfortmatic can be used as a manual box as well.
There is no ‘best’ it just comes down to personal preference. As a second hand buyer what gearbox a motorhome has is a very very long way down the list of things I look for in a van
In actual fact there is a type of automatic which allegedly wondered tow a mouse on a rollerskate. I am not at all sure if there are any commercial vehicles in the Camper/ Motorhome arena that utilise these but it is called CVT and can be found in SUVs and possibly one or two smaller vehicles suitable for camper conversion. Although much improved from the original DAF version of the 1960s /70s it is not suitable for towing anything at all and the manuals for vehicles fitted with such invariably state this fact. As a solo vehicle it is very smooth and pulls well uphill but don't fit a tow hitch 👍
Hi, I was bought a campervan for Christmas, just like yours (the Lego one on your shelf...), I recommend the lighting kit you can get for it... Love the channel by the way, considering a 2nd hand VW T6 SWB campervan for starters for use at weekends... either that or a small yacht... (campervan seems more practical especially with a couple of small dogs so is winning currently)...
Always driven Manual just gone over to automatic Find it much better enjoy driving a lot more And definitely only one foot for both Brake and accelerator x
This is easiest answear i can give yall Only drive Manual Only with a combustion engine make it classic vintage looks whats the point of owning one if you cant do it by your self ?! Automatic is cringe and EV is abomination of society Besides i dont mind owning Classic Vintage American all combustion manual 18 shift Motorhome Super C on road you kidding me that would be a dream once i get older around 60 would be fair
Hi Kat. I have mostly always owned manual cars. I was soon to be in the market for a new car when a work colleague broke their leg in a serious way. They needed those bolts and bars that screw to the outside of you leg while the bones mend. When he was well enough to return to work he couldn't drive his manual SUV (for towing a caravan), and his wife also had an older manual car. The wife could drive the SUV, but would not tow the caravan. Hence, they didn't go caravanning for a very long time. So they traded the wife's car in for a new automatic car which he could drive until he could return to his SUV. This prompted me to think about me a single person and not being able to drive a manual vehicle. What if I injured my leg while towing my caravan, who would do the driving home? So, I made the decision to purchase an automatic SUV for the reason if I had "leg problems" and couldn't use a clutch. When I move to the UK on retirement, I will be buying am automatic motorhome.
Hi just purchased a 2020 Fiat ducato motorhome with 9 speed automatic gearbox . It a pleasure to drive , being a hgv driver for a living most trucks are now automatic.
I would find it hard to go back to a manual gearbox as I find autos so much more relaxing. Great channel thanks Darren.
That’s good to know! Thanks for sharing Darren
Hi Kat yes we got an Automatic 9speed box on our 140 bhp fiat based van, awesome would never go back to manual would rather pay £3k more any day great video xx
I have been subscribed to you for a few months now, and in December I became the proud owner of a Toyota Alphard from Fantastic Campervans in Dairsie in Fife. The Alphard is an automatic gearbox which I find easier to drive because of my disability.
I have previously had a Renault Trafic Holdsworth but with no power steering, it killed my shoulders and neck. Plus my wife has rheumatoid arthritis and she had trouble climbing into the van.
My wife has no problems getting into and out of the Alphard. All we need now is a break in this lockdown so that we can get out and have some adventures!
Many thanks for all the information, hints, tips and wonderful videos that you have made available for campervan and motorhome owners everywhere.
All automatic, plus the semi autos (which are really manual with an auto clutch and computer) have the facility for the driver to down-change through the gearbox for engine braking when descending steep hills, etc.
Thanks for the info!
Interesting points there Kat.. My last two tow cars have been automatic and really couldn't go back. The issue is that autos often fail more than manuals and often cost a great deal more to maintain. As you say a few of them won't tow much at all. I quite fancied a Honda CRV as very reliable cars but only tow 1.5 tonne on them and even then can overheat towing. Now have a Kia Auto and that's been great to tow with. Another thing for people is if you are towing on Motorway up an incline and have cruise control on it often kicks down sometimes twice when doesn't need to.
Good points. Thanks for sharing :)
I remember being told this example for how to use your feet on the peddles of an automatic: Your left foot is used to releasing the clutch gently but pushing the peddle down quickly to full depression. This is the exact opposite to how you want to use a brake peddle. This explained to me that it would be very easy to finish up with my nose on the windscreen if I tried to ‘left foot brake’!😲😲
Sorry to correct you, but Fiat Ducato's are offered with their (Comformatic?) Robotised Gearbox, which uses a motorised clutch and hydraulic gear shifting of what is effectively a manual gearbox. It does not use a torque converter. The Robotised gearbox is expected to perform the same as a manual 'box (fuel efficiency wise), which was not the case with a torque converter 'box. Nowadays, modern Auto's are as efficient. We bought with an Auto box because it's less effort, particularly while creeping in traffic jams or when driving on hilly terrain.
Always feel free to correct me, but I believe the Comfort-matic (which was indeed robotised) was replaced by Fiat in 2020 for a torque-convertor, 9 speed automatic gear box on their newest models. Glad you're enjoying the auto- it makes long drives a heck of a lot easier.
@@WanderingBird You are quite correct but the most common ones around just now are the Fiat 6 speed comfortmatic as they were produced for a while up to last year. The comfortmatic can be used as a manual box as well.
Man or auto which is better on diesel?
There is no ‘best’ it just comes down to personal preference. As a second hand buyer what gearbox a motorhome has is a very very long way down the list of things I look for in a van
In actual fact there is a type of automatic which allegedly wondered tow a mouse on a rollerskate. I am not at all sure if there are any commercial vehicles in the Camper/ Motorhome arena that utilise these but it is called CVT and can be found in SUVs and possibly one or two smaller vehicles suitable for camper conversion. Although much improved from the original DAF version of the 1960s /70s it is not suitable for towing anything at all and the manuals for vehicles fitted with such invariably state this fact. As a solo vehicle it is very smooth and pulls well uphill but don't fit a tow hitch 👍
Great video, I had a manual camper van but I now have an automatic one and find it so much nicer to drive.
Glad you like your auto. They seem like a great idea!
Hi, I was bought a campervan for Christmas, just like yours (the Lego one on your shelf...), I recommend the lighting kit you can get for it... Love the channel by the way, considering a 2nd hand VW T6 SWB campervan for starters for use at weekends... either that or a small yacht... (campervan seems more practical especially with a couple of small dogs so is winning currently)...
Hi kat great video so it manual for me all the way . I have drove automatic cars so I see where your coming from take care & have a nice day 😊 🙂 🤗👌
Congrats on your progress, being small creator is hard. Thumbs Up 👍
Automatic every time you can control the gear you need especially down hill .use more fuel but the comfort of driving is super
Always driven Manual just gone over to automatic
Find it much better enjoy driving a lot more
And definitely only one foot for both
Brake and accelerator x
Yep- you don't want to get that wrong!! :)
Only problem with automatics that they cost bombs to fix outside warranty
By the way I have no choice as lost left leg so automatic all the time
Anyways, an automatic is the future, it's smooth, stressfree cruising. There are no negatives with modern systems.
This is easiest answear i can give yall
Only drive Manual Only with a combustion engine make it classic vintage looks
whats the point of owning one if you cant do it by your self ?!
Automatic is cringe and EV is abomination of society
Besides i dont mind owning Classic Vintage American all combustion manual 18 shift Motorhome Super C on road you kidding me that would be a dream once i get older around 60 would be fair