6-speed or auto?

[Blue Thunder]

I know this is an age-old question.



I have a suncoast auto now and love it. That is until I start towing my 15K 5er up a grade. With all the fuel I have going in, egt's get to be dangerously high on a long grade, almost to the point of overheating the truck.



Now I'm in the market for a new truck.



My question is this: Should I go for the 6-speed with a HD clutch, or stay with the auto and have it built up again???



The truck will not be a daily driver. It will be used primarily for towing the 5er.

 

[kah68]

After owning two 6 speeds I would say they are the way to go for hard core towing, they work good with an exhaust brake. But you can get 4:10's with the auto and if you have it built then it would be an awesome set up with an exhaust brake but dollars and cents say 6speed. Just some points to ponder.



Kirk

 

[klenger]

There is never a day when I say "Gee, I wish I'd gotten the auto". Mine is a daily driver.

 

[tractorseller]

For towing - 6 speed all the way. I've owned both in Fords, GMs, and now the Dodge and I've always been much happier towing with the manual transmission. Plus the only downshift I've ever had to do on long uphill grades with this Dodge is from 6th to 5th, which is easy :-laf .



On long downhill grades I prefer the manual transmission hands down. The "pucker factor" is always better .

 

[BBRam]

I agree, for towing especially, not to mention $/$, The 6speed is the way to go. (Just my opinion).

 

[JRMora]

There is never a day when I say "Gee, I wish I'd gotten the auto". Mine is a daily driver.

Me too.



& me too.



I've had both autos and manuals, and I have always preferred the six speed/exhaust brake combo for heavy trailer towing. And yes, i drive mine daily, through rush hour traffic.



Juan

 

[PatrickCampbell]

There is never a day when I say "Gee, I wish I'd gotten the auto". Mine is a daily driver.

And on every automatic I've ever owned I say everyday GEE I WISH I HAD GOTTEN A MANUAL!!!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I've had both and would never go back to an auto for towing. The only exception would be if I had knee or other joint problems and the clutch was hard on them.

Using the clutch is actually fun, no matter how much weight or how steep a hill, you just let it out (no throttle) and the mighty Cummins just PULLS!



Scotty

 

[Blue Thunder]

Thanks for the replies.



What about the clutch?



I will be upgrading the power for sure, so what should I do for a clutch??



Power upgrades will include at least Edge/Att. Possiblly more. I don't want to go too crazy, like I did with my '00. That sucker is way too hot for towing heavy.

 

[BBRam]

From my experience, The stock clutch does allright as long as you don't go wild with the box. The south bend confe will hold plenty, But when given a load, either taking off or backing up, mine will chatter a little.

 

[BBRam]

Sorry no signature

 

[TowPro]

I had a 98 5 speed with 3:55's, then I got a 2002 auto with 4:10's. For 3 years every time I towed I cursed that auto. Now I got an 06 6spd with 3:73's. Can't wait to tow with it.



NOTE: The 06 6 speed with 3:73's it the exact same RPM in 6th as the Auto with 4:10's was in the 2002! No need for 4:10's with the 6 speed.

 

[litespeed]

Thanks for the replies.



What about the clutch?



I will be upgrading the power for sure, so what should I do for a clutch??



Power upgrades will include at least Edge/Att. Possiblly more. I don't want to go too crazy, like I did with my '00. That sucker is way too hot for towing heavy.

Go with the 6er... ... . You wont regret it. Dont worry about the clutch (until you fry it). I pull over 17k and have never had any problems. I'm still on the stock clutch. But, I use it and let it go (never ride it) and my truck is pretty much stock besides exhaust and intake.



It is pretty cool to ease the clutch out in 1st gear with 17+k behind you. It just walks away... ... No problem..... And no accelerator input needed (until you want to GO :-laf )! Still makes me grin... .



AJ

 

[WardJ]

After reading these forums for months before I bought my truck, I decided on a 6-speed. I am glad I did. Fortunately I won't have to navigate L. A. traffic much longer, but if I had to I might have gone for the auto. It still makes me smile when I take off from a stop in second and never touch the throttle unless I want to... ... ... that management system is cool. I figured for towing, the manual would be simple and more trouble free.

 

[Grizzly]

My 95 was a 5 speed and my 05 is a 6 speed. I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Mundgyver]

Why not keep what you have and install one of these



http://www.roadranger.com/NASApp/cs...nd+Solutions&c=Page&cid=1132491775960&inner=y

 

[john3976]

Someone has to stand up for the automatic, I have an 05 with the 48RE and it tows my 8' x 24' car hauler without any problems at all. The transmission is stock by the way.

 

[kelly4463]

I love my 6sp its the only way to tow heavy the sound of a stright piped cummins through 6'' stacks rowing a 6sp

 

[KennethS]

I have both a95 automatic & 2004 6 speed manual and

my wife hates the 6 speed because It hard to shift and the gears are to close. And they are close. When we go on a long trip she helps me drive and I like that. But she won't drive the six speed anymore so I have ordered a 2006 with a automatic and diesel. If Mother not happy In this house nobody Is. There not much Mother can't do but she hates my 6 speed?

 

[tractorseller]

Fortunately I won't have to navigate L. A. traffic much longer, but if I had to I might have gone for the auto.

Amen to that. I've towed heavy loads through LA and I've never used the clutch so much in my life. They need to ship some of those people off to the east coast so our lives will be a little easier out here on the west coast :-laf . I go through LA only when there is no other way to do it. Beautiful country, way too many people. I'll stay in Arizona and New Mexico.