Automatic - six speed or spliter?

[JKrantz]

I know this is an old argument, but what do you think is the best transmission for towing a 10,000lb. trailer? I currently have a 96 CTD with a built auto but I can`t make up my mind what to look for in my next truck. I`m leaning toward looking for a six speed to have the extra gears but I know there is much room for advice



Thanks again in advance!

 

[98rammer]

the 6 speed is worth it... . very fun to drive, and easy on my left knee (was one of my biggest worries). built autos are fun... for a while.

 

[BILLUA]

If you are towing the majority of the time and do very little intown driving, I would suggest the 6 speed. I bought the auto again this time around knowing I would have to put 3 to 4 k in it at some point. The reason? 70 percent of my driving is daily driver in some traffic and stop lights. The rest is towing...



Good luck with your decision. You can't go wrong with a 3rd gen either way.



Cheers, Bill

 

[bmoeller]

Love my Goerends transmission, but still miss not having a handshaker in the Ram. You'd think with me running a 13spd Road Ranger all the time, I'd want an auto. Not so. This built transmission is sweet , but there is just thing about manual transmission. Towing or not.



I did get to drive a 3rd Gen at the Farm Progress Show last year. It had a NV5600 in it. Had me drooling pretty good. I liked it. Shifted really nice. Rest of the truck wasn't bad either. :-laf

 

[Bertram65]

Automatic, I drive mostly city empty as my truck is my daily driver and I do not go on the highway to get to work, the auto works great.

I just got back from a 700 mile trip towing my 5th wheel, I went up and back to Lake Placid, NY, worked great, not sure of the elevation but it is alot of climbing. All I needed to do was turn off OD and I handled the back roads up and downs at 55 mph, 2500 rpm with no problem, downhill as long as I was running faster than about 48 mph the TC stayed locked and did a pretty decent job of holding the truck back, the rest of the time, like when coming out of toll booths I just let it do it's thing and it worked perfect, 68 mph on the major highways with the cruise on. If you get an automatic be sure to get the 4. 10 gears they put the engine right at 2000 rpm at 65, I like to be slightly higher, about 2100 rpm which is 68 mph. Had fun passing the gas trucks towing on the hills, once they get into the elevation they really suffer.

 

[klenger]

If you don't mind shifting, the 6 speed is the way to go.

 

[Utah Willie]

Automatic - six speed or splitter

I offer no recommendation but will give you the benefit of my experience. I have a five speed with a 2 speed (O/D U. S. Gear) in my '99 3500 and probably tow or haul 70% of the time... but very seldom in city traffic. I love the manual transmission for its positive power and with the selection offered by the auxilary transmission behind the five speed, or six speed in your case, covers just about any situation... . except... . freeway traffic as in Southern California! Empty it is not a problem but towing is a bear. Another plus is the way an exhaust brake works with the manual set up. I am about to get into a 2006 and am having the same problem as are you... . I have a lady that wants to drive the rig while towing to give me relief and the aoutmatic would make that a snap..... teaching her a six speed + 2 speed might take more patience than I can muster.