Built automatic v/s 6 speed on High HP towing.

[Blacksdieselhp]

I've always had a 6 speed since they came out. I loved them in the 2nd gens. But I hate it in my 2005. I'm thinking of trading for an auto truck. If I do it will be built with all the goodies if I get one, but my question is how are these built autos standing up to towing HEAVY(20k+) with lots of power(600+hp) on a daily basis. How many trouble free miles have you heavy haulin guys got on you full Billet trannies? By the way, Dave Goerend will be building the transmission.

 

[Blacksdieselhp]

Surely somebody can chime in thats pulling heavy with an auto.

 

[Doughboy21kd]

I pulled 23,000 with an 05 auto that was stock, I just didn't like the shift points it had and when it decided to shift..... Thats why i god rid of 05 for 06 with a handshaker... just my . 02

 

[Slicks]

I've always had a 6 speed since they came out. I loved them in the 2nd gens. But I hate it in my 2005. I'm thinking of trading for an auto truck. If I do it will be built with all the goodies if I get one, but my question is how are these built autos standing up to towing HEAVY(20k+) with lots of power(600+hp) on a daily basis. How many trouble free miles have you heavy haulin guys got on you full Billet trannies? By the way, Dave Goerend will be building the transmission.

If your truck is Black and you want an auto Black Dually, maybe we can talk. Mine is an 05. I like shifting, the auto has been great so far, but I just like to pick my gears myself. Planned a Full transmission in the Spring from DTT, but preffer a 6 speed. Is yours a nv5600 or a G56?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

you probably aren't going to want to tow heavy w/ that 66 and an auto

 

[Yooper1]

I would use a 6 speed. . With all that weight you want to pull, and 600 plus HP, EGT's might be a problem. with a stick you have more choices to find a gear to keep the air moving.



My 01 with twins has 600 hp and a full DTT and it pull a Bobcat that with trailer weights about 8,700 lbs, and it pulls it like nothing, but on hills you have to watch egt's and get out of O/D to keep the air moving. If I could stay at 70 mph, no problem. If it was the other way, a lot of towing, I would want a stick with a Jake brake.



Just my . 02

 

[RustyJC]

OK, I'm not a 3rd gen guy, but I've towed with a 47RE and an NV5600. The gear spacing of the 47RE (same gear ratios in 48RE) is way too wide for towing in hilly conditions - I always found myself wishing for another gear to bridge the splits in the automatic.



If I were going back to the automatic, I'd be tempted to wait until the Aisin 6-speed migrates into the pickups with the 6. 7L Cummins, but that's just me.



Rusty

 

[RVTRKN]

OK, I'm not a 3rd gen guy, but I've towed with a 47RE and an NV5600. The gear spacing of the 47RE (same gear ratios in 48RE) is way too wide for towing in hilly conditions - I always found myself wishing for another gear to bridge the splits in the automatic.



If I were going back to the automatic, I'd be tempted to wait until the Aisin 6-speed migrates into the pickups with the 6. 7L Cummins, but that's just me.



Rusty

Hi Rusty. I really like my NV5600 and think the same on this subject but I would have to wait to see if the Aisin trany is capable. I don't think that an auto belongs behind the torque of diesels for any application, but it sure would be nice to drink coffee or eat on the run in the morning. When I was in the Army I used to rebuild (yes rebuild) the CD850 Automatic that sits behind the old M60 tank V12 Diesel engine and can speak from experience.

 

[justinp20012500]

Large single turbo + low stall TC = lots of black smoke and no go.



I have a buddy that pulls with a built auto, 66mm turbo, 3. 54 rear and stock stall. Here at 4500' elev. He has a hard time getting his footing trailer moving. He is thinking about trading the 3. 54's for some 4. 10's.



It might be a little better in your situation. 3. 73's might be ok.

 

[RustyJC]

I really like my NV5600 and think the same on this subject but I would have to wait to see if the Aisin trany is capable.

Ummm... . yep, I never said I was signing up for Job #1!! :-laf The little bit I've seen regarding the Aisin is promising, but time will ultimately tell.



Rusty

 

[Blacksdieselhp]

I've never thought that an auto belonged behind a working diesel myself. I know if I do get one, that I'll just be wishing I had my 6 speed back. But I just don't like it in my 05. Like I said, in the 2nd gen trucks I would have never thought of trading my 6 speed for an auto. Just thought about trying one in these 3rd gens. My wifes truck pulls great with the stock 48RE and a BDDL. But my truck, whatever transmission it has, will be seeing a lot more mods than that. And my 6 speed pulls awesome, but it just doesn't shift good at all. Very hard to get into gear. It has been that way since new and of course you can guess what the dealer had to say about it. "Don't worry about it sir, thats normal". The Southbend Con FE is way more aggressive than I thought it would be too. Its almost as grabby as my McCleod twin disc. But it does hold the power. Maybe I need the upgraded slave cylinder.

 

[BHolm]

I live and drive in the mountains. I have never had a problem with the 48re having too wide of gear spacing. I have grossed at 24k running I-70 over all the passes, and I tow snowmobiles around all winter in the mountains. I also ran two 48re trucks as work trucks pulling 15-20k everyday through rolling hills. for almost 200k combined miles. Never once found the trucks lacking because of number of gear ratios.



You may have an entirely different deal with 600 hp though. The only reason I would have six speed is, if the auto wasn't up to the job (like the 47re).

 

[champspa]

towing with a Aisin is going to be bad unless it has a 4. 5 rear ,this thing has a double overdrive. high gear 1to 1 is 4th the rest is overdrive. going to be a flop

 

[Buffalo]

I have a '91. 5 W-250, in which I had an ATS Heavy-Duty transmission w/ Triple-lok torque convertor, installed. It has worked flawlessly, towing a 25' travel trailer in the mountains of the West. (I realize I'm not towing anywhere near as much as you. )



A few years ago, I purchased an '03, 3500, HO, NV-5600, 4X4. I've towed the same trailer throughout the same mountains.



Personally, I prefer the stickshift for mountainous towing due to the greater selection of gears. If I was doing a lot of towing, it would be my transmission of choice.



If most of my driving was in town, stop & go, rush-hour driving, the auto would probably be my transmission, of choice. The ATS seems to be very rugged & inspires confidence while towing. It's no sloutch!!!



Another issue is the costs involved. The auto costs more, to begin with, than the stick. Then, you have to invest many thousands of dollars to create a transmission that is as durable, as you need. Lots of extra expense that you can avoid by purchasing the stick.



But, if you really hate the way the trans. shifts, then the auto is the way to go. Also, if the extra costs don't bother you, then the auto is the way to go.



I've heard nothing but good things about Goerand's transmissions. I can't imagine you would be making a mistake by dealing with them.



Best of luck with your decision.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[AFarmer]

you probably aren't going to want to tow heavy w/ that 66 and an auto

With the right TQ Conv from DTT, you can do whatever you want too. They'll make the VB and TQ Conv work really well together.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

I tow a trailer that weighs about 10000, on occasion with mine. It can be done with the 66, but you will either have OD locked out in the hills, or you will be doing about 75 mph to keep the EGT's down, and boost up. You will like the GB transmission, though. I have the towing VB in mine, with a triple disk. The truck literally jumps when you put it in gear.

 

[BigDan]

Ive had both, A high HP DTT auto and 2 stock 6 speeds. I thought the my 400HP DTT truck pulled awesome and that was at high elevations. since I had lots of power on tap I never wished I had different gears. It was either at 1800rpm or 2200 rpms.