I'm looking to buy a Freelander 2 (2008 08) to tow a 1600kg caravan with. I'd be interested to hear from those of you who tow whether the manual or automatic is the better option and what mpg you get towing and solo.

Welcome,

There are already a few threads with respect to this subject. As someone who has contributed to previous debates I would say this.

I tow a 1900kg double axle hobby caravan (no I don't do tarmacing at the weekend), and towing at 60mph I get 22mpg and it never slows up any hill I have ever been up in the Alps and the Tirol. I have an auto, which I like for towing, since you can change gear and the cruise control doesn't disengage, and the sport function allows for excellant engine braking when required. But, 28 to 32 mpg solo is not good, the manual will give you 5 to 10 mpg more.

As ever you pays your money and takes your choice.  Freelander 2.2e HSE , Privacy, Fully debadged, 19" Chrome SHadow alloys

Apparently Fl2's struggle to tow vans on the roads in Yorkshire Dont know why so its best to just avoid 'gods own county' whilst towing

Buy the fl2 you will like it  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

thanks for the input CG - if you have not guessed CG is our resident Anti-Caravaner

I would go auto for towing a caravan,

I have a manual at the moment, only because the auto wasn't released when i bought mine, but my new car will give me the auto box

Either way with a correctly loaded caravan the FL2 tows my 1500kg caravan without a problem normally avg 26mpg towing and 29-31mpg solo (with a heavy foot and lots of town/short drives )

Great car to live with day to day, and great car to get away with the caravan  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

No contest really other than the slightly worse fuel consumption. The auto box being adaptive will soon adjust to the demands placed on the vehicle by the caravan and all you have to do is put it in drive and let the technology do the rest. There is also the command shift for heavy traffic which will hold the outfit in a single gear (helps the torque converter). The fact that you don't have to worry about gear shifts, clutch wear etc. makes for a more relaxing hence safer drive.
I tow a 1500kgs. van all over the place and the FL treats it with disdain on hills, high winds and when overtaking. As NPinks says you pay your money and takes your choice but I would never again consider a manual. Ralph
Zurmatt Silver, Diesel, Automatic, side steps, mud flaps, mats, boot liner, TomTom Start 60 installed, rubbing strips, removable Brink tow bar, after market tinted glass, front styling bar, Rear spoiler, Motorlicious tail pipe trim. Wood Company centre armrest

Have to say auto all the way for me also.

Towing 1300kg van

&

2000kg Ifor Williams trailer.

What's a few mpg cost compared to your left knee/ankle wear

Many thanks for all your replies.
It looks like an auto then but keep out of Yorkshire with the caravan

Will I need an oil cooler on it for towing?

 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

i have not heard of anybody needing or adding for the sake of it an oil cooler  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

New2LR wrote:

Many thanks for all your replies.
It looks like an auto then but keep out of Yorkshire with the caravan

Will I need an oil cooler on it for towing?

You'll be fine with the caravan in Yorkshire, just remember to pack a chicken plucker  

Oil cooler?

I have towed 2000kg at 35degC+ 2500m up in the tirol and the temp guage didn't move, and no coolant was used. The transmission was faultless, although I do tow in manual. Reckon no oil cooler required in Europe.  Freelander 2.2e HSE , Privacy, Fully debadged, 19" Chrome SHadow alloys

I have no experience towing caravans, but I do have the auto, and know how it works.

You can drive manually on the gears when you have the auto, so with the auto you will have both options.
Get the auto, test both, and see which you prefer: -To drive fully in auto, or shift the gears manually. 2008 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Automatic, Caspian Blue, Alpaca, Moon roof, Exclusive pack.

I got back from our second France trip with the caravan in the FL2 and again it was a delight (1500kg Coachman)

Mines is manual, like others, the Auto was not available at the time. I for sure will be going Auto next time. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........