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LPG with auto box and towing

Posted: 12 Sep 2009, 18:21
by Shubberdog
Hi All
I have a 1989 Auto-Sleeper high top automatic, which gives me on a long run 25.5 mpg on unleaded. Recently we purchased an eriba caravan and when towing this I get 23.2mpg. I am considering having it converted to LPG, has anyone any experience of LPG with an automatic and towing? Will it be worth my wile to do this?

Re: LPG with auto box and towing

Posted: 13 Sep 2009, 16:56
by Ian Hulley
The 50%+ £££££ saving makes it VERY worthwhile having it converted. It's for you to work out with your mileage how long it'll take for it to pay for itself (Steve has a chart on the Gasure website), BTW the power loss is negligable.

Ian

Re: LPG with auto box and towing

Posted: 13 Sep 2009, 17:30
by T'Onion
Matt use to tow a caravan with his 2.1 auto ..

Re: LPG with auto box and towing

Posted: 18 Sep 2009, 20:53
by matt
the mpg when i tow actually rises

this is probally due to enforced lower cruising speed

i get 19mpg when towing on lpg :ok

Re: LPG with auto box and towing

Posted: 19 Sep 2009, 08:29
by Mocki
more like coz of the enforcing "Slow down now maffuu" from the passenger seat!

Re: LPG with auto box and towing

Posted: 22 May 2010, 23:23
by mcgill5
i have done a fair bit of towing since i converted my T4 V6 24v caravelle(204bhp) 12000 miles since october, you do notice the drop in power from petrol on a long hill with 2 ton on a trailer,not legal but it does do it. i have had a massive external oil cooler fitted,which if you are going to tow with an auto is very very advisable. we have had vag-com connected under tests with big loads on trailer up hills and you wouldnt believe how hot your gear oil gets! thing is,every time you tow and go up a hill the oil temp rises significantly. and when you stop in traffic,it doesnt get to cool very quickly and just boils your oil. i have been changing my oil every few weeks (£400+ of oil since last august! very dear yellow stuff). hardly anyone has ever changed their gear oil in an autobox,but every over-heat reduces the fluid and so eventually turns it to near water! then gears start sticking and dodgy changes. it will only take you a couple of years (if your lucky) towing a caravan a couple of times a year any real distance to start noticing these things and costing you lots of money. change your oil and fit a cooler if you want it to last! i notice it quicker cos i have the computer to measure ,and i read up before i started using the van for what was their main weak point. cheers mcgill

Re: LPG with auto box and towing

Posted: 22 May 2010, 23:23
by mcgill5
i have done a fair bit of towing since i converted my T4 V6 24v caravelle(204bhp) 12000 miles since october, you do notice the drop in power from petrol on a long hill with 2 ton on a trailer,not legal but it does do it. i have had a massive external oil cooler fitted,which if you are going to tow with an auto is very very advisable. we have had vag-com connected under tests with big loads on trailer up hills and you wouldnt believe how hot your gear oil gets! thing is,every time you tow and go up a hill the oil temp rises significantly. and when you stop in traffic,it doesnt get to cool very quickly and just boils your oil. i have been changing my oil every few weeks (£400+ of oil since last august! very dear yellow stuff). hardly anyone has ever changed their gear oil in an autobox,but every over-heat reduces the fluid and so eventually turns it to near water! then gears start sticking and dodgy changes. it will only take you a couple of years (if your lucky) towing a caravan a couple of times a year any real distance to start noticing these things and costing you lots of money. change your oil and fit a cooler if you want it to last! i notice it quicker cos i have the computer to measure ,and i read up before i started using the van for what was their main weak point. cheers mcgill