Automatic vs Manual Transmission in a Motorhome

I'm looking at used motorhomes and I see that motorhomes with automatic transmission are common enough in Germany. They seem to cost a bit extra over their manual counterparts but it is difficult to compare like for like.

I'm wondering if it would be worth paying extra for the automatic gearbox in say a motorhome less than five years old. I have driven automatic cars and I have found them very easy to drive.

Do automatic gearboxes give more trouble and are they more expensive to repair?

Been driving automatic cars for years but the camper is manual. Gearboxes are generally reliable, manual or auto, you need to be unlucky to have problems for the most part but an auto will probably cost more to put right.

I'm absolutely love the 9 speed ZF Auto box in our Motorhome....Never had an automatic before in either car or van but would only consider an Auto from now on in a Motorhome.

My brand new Crafter has an 8 speed auto running through a torque converter.

Thanks guys for your replies. It's all great information for me to consider. I'm definitely going to look at automatics more seriously now even though there is a cost factor involved.

The one thing I've noticed is that the motorhomes with automatic transmission generally have other extras included such as aircon in living area, awning, some with sat dish etc.

Those I presume will all add to paying more in VRT.

Initially, I was thinking of just buying a basic enough used model, importing it, paying VRT on that and then getting extras fitted. However it might work out cheaper with a lot less hassle if the MH already has what I want!

Having read your posts, auto looks the way for me to go.

I went from manual motorhomes to an automatic on the transit base and its a real pleasure to drive especially in traffic.

If I was changing vans I would have automatic high on my list. Just think as we get older it would make driving easier as all we have to concentrate on is steering and stop and go trouble is im not changing so have to make do with manual

I have a LHD, A Class on Sprinter 318 5 speed automatic. The Auto,makes it so easy and comfortable to drive, particularly, on roundabouts, junctions, heavy slow traffic, hill starting, its a major advantage, not having to do anything with clutch, gear change and handbrake, and then when for the open road you add cruise control ( which for me is must have) it's the only way to go.

A turn off for the new Fiat 8/9 speed (can't remember if it's 8 or 9 gears) is that it's 3k to 4k extra over the manual. I think this is a normal traditional auto over the robotised manual that was the Ducato 6 speed "auto" or the VAG two 3 speed gearboxes mashed together to form the DSG.

There's an auto Ducato in the garage here. The auto is a godsend when trying to maneuver in traffic in a strange town on hols. You are looking for road signs, watching traffic and the temperatures are rising. Thinking of what gear you need is not something else you have to worry about.

Most Ducatos with automatic come with Traction Plus (a traction control for extra slippy conditions to get you moving that turns off over 15/20kph), hill hold, decent control. Also, having messed with leaving it in auto and doing the same journey in manual (I selecting the gears) there's no difference in fuel economy.

I think it's poor value and probably wouldn't order a 'van with an auto, I'd rather get a bigger stove under the bonnet with the cost.

Auto every time for me, all 4 of our motorhomes, being American, were of course, auto. So easy in traffic or on site.