VW amarok ability

[jacobl741]

Hi all , looking at buying a 2013 VW amarok 2 litre BiTDI 180hp manual. Tidy truck with low miles. Can anyone tell me what these are like as a farm truck and for towing? Also does the truck need the low box that it doesnt have or does it manage fine without?

Cheers

 

[Robt]

If you intend on doing any towing, DONT BUY THE MANUAL!. Seriously. The Auto is the one to use.

 

[ollandroverman]

A manual with no low box!
I wouldn't.

 

[Lofty1984]

I’d not go back to a manual one now auto every time

 

[Adam@Rumen]

I have a 2012 version of the model you are talking about as an every day truck. It's up to 140k now and a manual.

I find the manual a pain when not towing because first gear is so short, but actually quite good when towing. It has towed almost twice the plated amount at times without a problem.

I've never had to put it in 4x4 low.

Been pleased with it and not in a rush to swap. An auto would probably be nicer but I wouldn't rule out a manual.

 

[neilo]

I was having the discussion of auto vs manual with someone last night, with a friend that replaced his auto with a manual. Yes, the auto is nicer for towing on the road, but if you're on a soft grass field with a full trailer, you need to feather the revs a bit to avoid the wheels spinning. I trailered 460 ewes back from just such a field last week, with my L200 and a triaxle trailer. If I had spun the wheels at all, I'd have been stuck. As it was, I managed every load back without issue (& the help of Mud tyres on lowered pressures).

Just bought a manual now, to replace it after it made a very loud 'bang, bang, rattle' noise a couple of nights ago.

 

[Lofty1984]

You can do that in the auto just put it in manual mode and feather the revs

 

[Cowabunga]

Never had an issue with traction with an auto box myself and I've had an eclectic mix of manual and automatic 4x4 vehicles over the years. Tyres are always the biggest variable.

 

[Bald Rick]

Heavy on juice but tows great
Also, comfort is ok although a discovery would be better for seats

 

[ollandroverman]

I have a 2012 version of the model you are talking about as an every day truck. It's up to 140k now and a manual.

I find the manual a pain when not towing because first gear is so short, but actually quite good when towing. It has towed almost twice the plated amount at times without a problem.

I've never had to put it in 4x4 low.

Been pleased with it and not in a rush to swap. An auto would probably be nicer but I wouldn't rule out a manual.

Perhaps you are on much flatter terrain. I have done lots of towing with a HD transit 350, and there are lots of places you simply can't get into or out of without a low box.

 

[steveR]

Perhaps you are on much flatter terrain. I have done lots of towing with a HD transit 350, and there are lots of places you simply can't get into or out of without a low box.

One of my biggest grumbles about my 2013 Ranger 2.2, is the shocking "low" box. More or less useless in the real world as it is so highly geared. I suspect I would have gone elsewhere if I'd known at the time I bought it...

 

[Cowabunga]

One of my biggest grumbles about my 2013 Ranger 2.2, is the shocking "low" box. More or less useless in the real world as it is so highly geared. I suspect I would have gone elsewhere if I'd known at the time I bought it...

The older model was even higher geared in first and was absolutely useless in reverse in high range with the manual gearbox. The T6 is great as long as you spec it with the automatic. Biggest issue with the 2.2, even with automatic, is the drastic delay in getting it going from idle speed at a stop. The new 2.0 engines with 10 speed automatic should address this issue. Low box is low enough for anything even with the six speed auto box, by dint of the torque converter up hill and the adjustable hill descent control down hill. I find it slow enough for driving behind the cows coming in to milk just by leaving it in low gear.

 

[steveR]

The new 2.0 engines with 10 speed automatic should address this issue. Low box is low enough for anything even with the six speed auto box, by dint of the torque converter up hill and the adjustable hill descent control down hill. I find it slow enough for driving behind the cows coming in to milk just by leaving it in low gear.

Impressive!

I might get a test drive next Spring, when "my ship comes in"! ;-)

 

[Timbo]

Hi all , looking at buying a 2013 VW amarok 2 litre BiTDI 180hp manual. Tidy truck with low miles. Can anyone tell me what these are like as a farm truck and for towing? Also does the truck need the low box that it doesnt have or does it manage fine without?

Cheers

First off, go find a DSG.

 

[Cowabunga]

First off, go find a DSG.

VW have not fitted the direct shift [DSG] dual clutch gearbox to Amarok. It is fitted with the conventional torque converter and eight speed ZF automatic. Which is rather peculiar, because the other in-line VW/Audi installations with diesel engines use the Japanese AW automatic. There is an option of six speed manual gearbox of course, although this was late to arrive in the V6 model.

DSG gearboxes have a distinct disadvantage for pickups and especially for towing. That is because they do not have a torque converter and instead have a rather conventional clutch to start off from standstill, albeit usually a wet clutch on heavy duty applications such as powerful diesel engine vehicles.

 

[Timbo]

Ok, the auto version !!