I have just bought new freelander 2 SD4 hse lux auto and never having towed with an automatic gearbox, my previous freelander was a manual, so how does auto perform while towing. Freelander 2 SD4 hse Lux Loire Blue, side steps and roof rails fitted

Like a dream. With the higher power than the TD4 we had last it will sit in cruise at 60 if you want it to (I don't like to do that). It seems to get into top gear easier than the TD4 did. You are really going to enjoy the towing.

We tow a Bailey Unicorn Seville.

I recently changed from a GS TD4 manual to XS SD4 auto and towed with my 'van for the first time last week. I have a Coachman 560/4 which is about 86% kerbweight. I have to say towing is much easier with the auto and the extra power.

I used to tow in 5th on motorways with CC set to about 58mph on sat nav. This would cope with any hills including the M5 south of the Avonmouth bridge. In 6th it would struggle on most inclines. The auto will select the right gear to maintain the speed, going between 4th and 6th as it sees fit.

On a steep hill at Birdlip outside Gloucester it dropped down and ran at about 4000rpm up the hill. I didn't have my foot hard down but was surprised it ran the engine that high. GONE - '07 TD4 GS manual Zermatt Silver
LONG GONE - '55 Norton Dominator 99 SS cafe racer

Auto Box, towing, perfect.

As said above, the SD4 auto is perfect for towing. Looking forward to our first trip out at Easter. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

many vanners seem to go for an auto on their 2nd fl2, after the van wrecks the clutch on no.1 At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Take care CG - many Vanners don't care what type of gear box they use to run over errant chicken farmers blocking the Queen's byways

One (Dutch registered) even tried to reverse into me once on a mountain pass when I was on one of my Ducati's a few years back. Didn't succeed, but what irritated most is that on that particular pass it is forbidden to tow a caravan due to the steep gradients and single track segments. Perhaps as the UK ad., states: "he should have gone to Spec Savers"

chicken george wrote:

many vanners seem to go for an auto on their 2nd fl2, after the van wrecks the clutch on no.1

nb. The above is CG knowledge so may be far removed from the truth

Had my first FL2 for 5 years and towed my 1500kg 'van all over Europe including Alps and Pyrenees without a clutch replacement. I just hope whoever bought it doesn't turn up on this forum  GONE - '07 TD4 GS manual Zermatt Silver
LONG GONE - '55 Norton Dominator 99 SS cafe racer

Joiner 8
They tow much better than a manual and you will find it a pleasure.
They tow effortlessly.
I have been over the Alps and Pyrenees and the auto box was as good as gold when towing a twin axle.
For me just the rest of the car was a lemon but towing it did very well. Jaguar x-type sport gone
Jaguar x-type 2.2d sport one of my best cars ever sadly gone
Freelander 2 GS auto 2008 most unreliable ever ! gladly gone
Freelander 2 GS manual 2013 only time will tell !

chicken george wrote:

many vanners seem to go for an auto on their 2nd fl2, after the van wrecks the clutch on no.1

Auto avoid any clutch slip, and if you have a Proper Land Rover Approved Tow Bar (TM) it will tell the autobox when a trailer is connected and it will anticipate needing to hold on to gears longer.

Mental note: plug in a trailer board and see if it accelerates faster  2011 MY SD4 HSE + planning some interesting stuff
Previously: 2004 Discovery Td5 ES Premium + lots of stuff
Previously: P38A Range Rover 4.0 SE
Hampshire and Berkshire 4x4 Response Founder and Treasurer

Mav71 wrote:

chicken george wrote:

many vanners seem to go for an auto on their 2nd fl2, after the van wrecks the clutch on no.1

Mine didn't, and before you say it did, my clutch was replaced due to the early car clutch faults.

Whats the long river in Africa called again caravans kill clutches the end At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

You talk sometimes CG  Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

sometimes !!!!!!!