Towing with a CVT - Page 2

Joe Harding · Mar 11th, 2012, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by reb067

Hallo Joe,

just one question:

do you have experience with the CVT and how would you repair it or change ir?

thanks for reply

My experience was limited to a few months in which I changed shims and replaced belts. I learned a lot, but not enough to change the whole module. There are others who can help you better. If anyone needs them, I have two or three shims somewhere free to first caller. PM me.

Hell Driver · Mar 20th, 2012, 20:44

In the 1990's I used to tow a very heavy 1960's caravan with my 1977 343 (vario of course!). I think it weighed well over a ton laden (not advising this for legal resons!). Also there were at least 2 or 3 adults in the car at the time and 'stuff'!

Trips done included:

Doncaster to Dorset (twice) 800+miles X 2
Doncaster to Glasonbury 500+miles
Doncaster Reading
Doncaster to London
& One or two other trips of a few hundred miles!

The CVT held up brilliantly, no problems whatsoever. Top speed was limited on the motorway to 45mph uphill, although downhill was fine!

Must say that CVT is far better than manual as the constant gear changing is a pain when towing a caravan with less than ideal tow car power wise. I currently tow a 960kg max caravan with a 1.7 manual 340. Just about enough power not to be too slow. Keeps up with motorway traffic OK. In a 1.4, CVT would be better than manual purely for this reason.

The only problem is that as the CVT keeps the engine at ideal revs for the load/speed it is always working flat out (which is good...constant power delivery on hills!) and so overheating on a hot day is likely. I used to have to turn the heater on even on hot days to loose some heat out of the engine! An extra cooling radiator would have sorted this out.

From what I remember, low ratio hold was useful at low speed and on hills but certainly not to be used all the time. Using when downhill on a main road would just waste fuel and add ware to the CVT and engine.

Don't attempt it unless your engine and CVT are both in top shape however. Extreme towing will no doubt find any weakness and punish you! Don't forget that the extra wear on both the engine and CVT belts will lower the life of both. Clutch should be fine if you avoid rapid starts as once moving it won't get extra use, unlike a manual.

The only reason not to tow with a CVT 340 is that being a CVT, it will be a 1.4 and so vastly underpowered (for towing that is). If you do it, don't expect too much of the car and take it very easy!

I once got 30mpg out of it with the caravan....can't even match that with the 1.7. That was due to the very slow speeds and lack of wind resistance!

Mar 20th, 2012, 20:44	#12
Hell Driver Junior Member Last Online: Apr 18th, 2024 14:42 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Doncaster	CVT towing In the 1990's I used to tow a very heavy 1960's caravan with my 1977 343 (vario of course!). I think it weighed well over a ton laden (not advising this for legal resons!). Also there were at least 2 or 3 adults in the car at the time and 'stuff'! Trips done included: Doncaster to Dorset (twice) 800+miles X 2 Doncaster to Glasonbury 500+miles Doncaster Reading Doncaster to London & One or two other trips of a few hundred miles! The CVT held up brilliantly, no problems whatsoever. Top speed was limited on the motorway to 45mph uphill, although downhill was fine! Must say that CVT is far better than manual as the constant gear changing is a pain when towing a caravan with less than ideal tow car power wise. I currently tow a 960kg max caravan with a 1.7 manual 340. Just about enough power not to be too slow. Keeps up with motorway traffic OK. In a 1.4, CVT would be better than manual purely for this reason. The only problem is that as the CVT keeps the engine at ideal revs for the load/speed it is always working flat out (which is good...constant power delivery on hills!) and so overheating on a hot day is likely. I used to have to turn the heater on even on hot days to loose some heat out of the engine! An extra cooling radiator would have sorted this out. From what I remember, low ratio hold was useful at low speed and on hills but certainly not to be used all the time. Using when downhill on a main road would just waste fuel and add ware to the CVT and engine. Don't attempt it unless your engine and CVT are both in top shape however. Extreme towing will no doubt find any weakness and punish you! Don't forget that the extra wear on both the engine and CVT belts will lower the life of both. Clutch should be fine if you avoid rapid starts as once moving it won't get extra use, unlike a manual. The only reason not to tow with a CVT 340 is that being a CVT, it will be a 1.4 and so vastly underpowered (for towing that is). If you do it, don't expect too much of the car and take it very easy! I once got 30mpg out of it with the caravan....can't even match that with the 1.7. That was due to the very slow speeds and lack of wind resistance! Last edited by Hell Driver; Mar 20th, 2012 at 20:49.

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