Automatic Clutch Gizmo

[Cat53]

Has anyone any knowledge of or experience with these gizmos that turn a manual vehicle into a semi automatic vehicle by using a hand lever to depress the clutch? Are they reliable. If they are it opens up our choice of Motorhome because we can look at manual vehicles too.

 

[pappajohn]

It appears you are thinking of the mechanical clutch adaptor for disabled vehicles.

If so you would be better looking at motability websites.

The usual one for Motorhomes is a different thing altogether and entails electric servos and switchs. ....very expensive.
No levers etc as they are not mechanical as such.
Many vans have these fitted from new and often come on the market.

 

[vwalan]

you mean click n go ,,or auto clutch vehvac at edenbridge kent do them
tel.01732 868181 ...
i also have another number here auto clutch ..0845 3458005.
might end up same place ...
i had one fitted on my old vw lt50.
it had a cable clutch and was very hard for me to press the pedal.
great bit of kit . like a miracle . cost years ago about a grand but well worth it.
now i have both legs in calipers but my mitsubishi is hydraulic clutch much easier and very light to use.
but if you really need one dont put it off . made my life much easier .
lets hope you get sorted . cheers alan .

 

[Cat53]

It appears you are thinking of the mechanical clutch adaptor for disabled vehicles.

If so you would be better looking at motability websites.

The usual one for Motorhomes is a different thing altogether and entails electric servos and switchs. ....very expensive.
No levers etc as they are not mechanical as such.
Many vans have these fitted from new and often come on the market.

£1395 + Vat ( which we may be able to lose due to Steve being disabled) ..... It usually adds £3-4 k to a vehicle for an automatic. So quids in there we feel.....if they are reliable!

 

[vwalan]

Broken Link Removed
have a look here.
mine vwas fitted to a mini artic and was taken to morocco ansd used very hard in the desert . up mountains through rivers it was really perfect .

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[pappajohn]

Can't see why they would be unreliable....they are designed for a specific market (disabled drivers) by specialist companies.

Only drawback is they are vehicle specific so unless you intend staying with a particular base vehicle, when/if you change vans it will cost as much for your next van to be converted.

I can only imagine the difficulty getting used to the hand lever while using your other hand to change gear.....especially in a panic situation.

 

[vwalan]

mine was secondhand i got it from a mate . he had it on an iveco. first. they arent made just for a specific vehicle . it actually cost me 500 quid to have their engineer come down to a disabilty center here and fit it. they also trained the local fitter at the center to fit them . but it was worth it .

 

[Cat53]

Brilliant. Thank you both for your advice and input. This opens up the search quite dramatically. Whoop, whoop!

 

[vwalan]

Can't see why they would be unreliable....they are designed for a specific market (disabled drivers) by specialist companies.

Only drawback is they are vehicle specific so unless you intend staying with a particular base vehicle, when/if you change vans it will cost as much for your next van to be converted.

I can only imagine the difficulty getting used to the hand lever while using your other hand to change gear.....especially in a panic situation.

hi. mine was just a button on the gear nob . changing gear was easy . stopping and moving was automatic . there is a connection to the alternator so it uses the revs as in a rev counter on a diesel. cant give you all the details , i didnt fully get to find them all out .

 

[Cat53]

That's perfect I think. Just what Steve was thinking about.

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[pappajohn]

hi. mine was just a button on the gear nob . changing gear was easy . stopping and moving was automatic . there is a connection to the alternator so it uses the revs as in a rev counter on a diesel. cant give you all the details , i didnt fully get to find them all out .

Then yours isn't what I meant Alan.

I mean (and presumably the op) the mechanical linkage lever attached to the steering column with a curved T shaped lever around and below the steering wheel.

Many are dual or even multi purpose for folks without legs.
Throttle version is pull to go, push to brake plus clutch the lever on opposite side.

 

[vwalan]

mine was for amputees as well .
have a look at the link or try a google .
i flicked a switch on the dash then i had auto clutch . if i turned it off i had normal clutch .
when it was on a cable pulled the pedal down . it was interesting just watching it when i first had it.
the button on the ear nob you pressed when changing gear . or playing with the clutch .
you know you do have to play ,hee hee .
lots of disabled folk have them ,

 

[vwalan]

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/auto-clutch.56795/
more info here other member have them .

 

[Cat53]

Then yours isn't what I meant Alan.

I mean (and presumably the op) the mechanical linkage lever attached to the steering column with a curved T shaped lever around and below the steering wheel.

Many are dual or even multi purpose for folks without legs.
Throttle version is pull to go, push to brake plus clutch the lever on opposite side.

Ah! Steve is looking for the kind Alan has. A push button affair. I believe the sort you are talking about is for when using all hand controls. In Steves case that is not necessary.