Auto or 6 speed to tow with?

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I've used autos and manuals to haul my 5th wheel around the country. I've also had good and bad luck with both. It's all a matter of ones own opinion to which is better. The ideal situation would be to try out both before you purchase, but that's not always an option. I have an upgraded auto now and would run it against any manual.

 

[DPelletier]

I sold a perfectly good '01. 5 auto to get my '03 6spd. Haven't regretted it for one second.



Dave

 

[WJB1]

I'm planning on trading in old Whitey for a 2005/6 3600 LWB CTD DRW Quad-cab when I get back from Alaska. I'm solidly sold on the CTD and will take the Dodge cripple crew cab that comes with it. The thing I'm not sure about is the transmission. I'm getting on in years and my knees get along much better while the truck is in cruise control.



I'm worried about all the shifting I will need to do in hilly/mountainous areas with a 6 speed.



My only reason for considering the 6 speed is additional braking when going down steep grades. My Ford just doesn't help a lot with auto transmission. I often drop to 2nd gear and 30 MPH on long downhill grades to feel comfortable with the load.



Can any of you who tow about 11,000 pound trailers give me some insight into how the 2005/6 Dodges handle such loads on downhill grades with auto transmission? Will these Dodges give me some engine braking with the transmission?



Would appreciate any experiences you might have.



Florida Ed

We now have an EXHAUST brake available on the auto 2006. I know because i ordered it 5 Weeks ago. No price, will be on invoice BUT dealer installed.

 

[GLASMITHS]

Go with the 6 speed, Jordan Brake Controller and a exhaust brake. I have 147,000 turns now and still have my factory brakes. I have been to 23,000 lbs and have not had any problems. Between the exhaust brake and the cruise contol, both on and cruising down the road, the truck will hold what every speed I want, up-hill, down-hill, to does not matter. And if you get boared, you can always drop in a Gear Vendors for 11 speeds forward. You just have a whole lot more control with a 6 speed.

Yes, and if you use engine braking with a Gear Vendor you will kill it. :{ Just ask me.

 

[Mundgyver]

How does it kill the Gear Vendor. I was under the impression that the unit reverts to direct drive when the exhaust brake is to be used Not arguing here, just asking how this would happen. What does it do the the Gear Vendor

 

[GLASMITHS]

How does it kill the Gear Vendor. I was under the impression that the unit reverts to direct drive when the exhaust brake is to be used Not arguing here, just asking how this would happen. What does it do the the Gear Vendor

Yes, I was confused too; until I had to pay $750. 00 for a re-man unit and the people at GV pointed out an obacure sentence buried in the user manuel tha t says not to use it for braking. Even my instller showed me how to use it with the pac-brake. This is the big down side to the GV over the US Gear unit. No engine braking..... Check your user manuel.

 

[SRehberg]

I think everyones opinion is correct for their situation, but I believe everyone is overlooking the fact this gentleman has a developing physical issue with his knees. The 6spd might be the logical choice for someone in good physical shape, younger perhaps but if he plans on keeping this truck for some years, the auto might be the better choice. As we get older not all of us are as phyically capable as others. I speak from personal experience as a manual shift would basically end my RVing days.



I have the 47RE that is basically stock with the exception of a upgraded torque converter. (My signature reflects a truck I sold) I run a PacBrake with the mystery switch and it does great in my opinion. I would hope the 48RE is even stronger in the new trucks.



Obviously it comes down to what you want, but by your post it sounds like you are leaning towards the automatic. I've never regretted it and I pull a 5er. Good luck with whatever you decide upon.

 

[RustyJC]

The Gear Vendors OD is an adaptation of the old Laycock overdrive unit used in Triumphs, MGs, Healeys, etc. It is efficient at transmitting torque in one direction only - from the engine to the drivetrain. In a "reverse torque" situation (like using the exhaust brake) where the drivetrain is trying to spin the engine, the OD can slip and (just like a slipping clutch) frag itself from overheating.



Rusty

 

[WJB1]

I am now confused. the exhaust brake from DC for the auto came available 4 weeks ago. I am waiting for a production date for my 2006. why is there negativity toward something we have not tried. My reason for the auto is also knee problems, this gets worse as i get younger.

2006 2500 4X4 laramie auto when it arrives, replaces 2001,1997,etc

 

[GLASMITHS]

The Gear Vendors OD is an adaptation of the old Laycock overdrive unit used in Triumphs, MGs, Healeys, etc. It is efficient at transmitting torque in one direction only - from the engine to the drivetrain. In a "reverse torque" situation (like using the exhaust brake) where the drivetrain is trying to spin the engine, the OD can slip and (just like a slipping clutch) frag itself from overheating.



Rusty

Thank you Rusty. If I had it to do over it would be a US Gear unit. But when it was purchased (the GV) we did not have all the power enhancements that are available today. so for that time period 98-2000 it was a good deal and really helped tow the heavy loads. Then There was 215hp, now I have an estimated 340. And the Catcher is gonna help :-laf . My GV lasted 3 months after upgrading the transmission with DTT. It has live for 3 years now because I do not use the GV with lock-up except for power off slowing down. I'm speaking on level ground; and most of the time not for that. So it really puts you in a bad situation where you need some engine braking and have to shift out of GV at high speed.

 

[Mundgyver]

So basicly the Gear Vendor is like a Sprauge Clutch on an Aircraft Engine is what my understanding is now. How is the US Gear unit different other than it goes in between the transmission and transfer case. Is it a true gear box?

 

[RMcCulloch]

I can't say about mountain driving (haven't done any with this 23K# combo yet) but my stock '03. 5 handles hills easily although, on a long up-slope, will sometimes drop out of O/D for a little while.



I went with the auto since I've had problems with my left leg and didn't trust it to work the clutch.



With the '06 advent of an "authorized" exhaust brake, I'd recommend getting one since it can REALLY help slow your rig down, especially going downhill. (I use mine sparingly but when needed. )

 

[RustyJC]

How is the US Gear unit different other than it goes in between the transmission and transfer case. Is it a true gear box?

The U. S. Gear unit started life as the Doug Nash OD. It used components from the Ford T&C (top-loader) 4 speed transmission. Yes, it's a true gearbox.



Rusty

 

[Mundgyver]

So a U. S. Gear would be the prefered choice with an exhaust brake I gather.

 

[NIsaacs]

Yes! They also come in over or under and will work in either gear in 4x4 trucks. However with the close ratio gears of the 6-speed, the splits arn't as good as the 4 & 5spds.





"NICK"

 

[DjFire07]

I'm getting on in years and my knees get along much better while the truck is in cruise control.



I'm worried about all the shifting I will need to do in hilly/mountainous areas with a 6 speed.

ED, I only use my clutch to start out from a dead stop. With some experience this transmission can be upshifted and downshifted very smoothly. I have some leftover experience from before Allison ruined fire trucks.



DJ

 

[Wdoucet]

Had an 05 auto (wife wanted to drive her half of the truck) but it was a buy-back due to the &) mph drone/vibration problem.



Got an 06 manual (will probably have a heart attack if the wife wants to drive it) and wouldn't go back to auto for anything.



Daily driver but I like changing gears and there isn't that much traffic in Regina, Saskatchewan.