Buying new trucks..Which Trans???

[KaiasDaddy]

OK guys here's the dilemna. I've gotta order 5 new cab and chassis (I know... Boo Hoo for me) but I just can't make up my mind on whether to stay with the tried and true manuals or take the leap and give the new Aisin's a chance. We haul RV's, 3 car trailers FULLY loaded and anything else we can find that needs to get delivered on flatbeds. We travel the entire country, so we see it all... mountains, plains, etc. I love the NV 5600 in my personal driver and never thought this would even cross my mind, but I keep hearing so much good about this new auto transmission that I just can't shake the doubt. And before anybody suggests it... I'm not gonna get just one and try it and stick with manuals for the others - my guys would object to somebody having something different. I'm hoping to hear the technical, NOT EMOTIONAL, thoughts and knowledge of this collective group of enthusiasts.

 

[MAshley]

Fact:

The auto has 185K mile warentee or 3 years. Only on the asain.



Almost positive Fact:

Manual only has 36K mile warentee



Observation... . your long haul, most of the time you would be in High gear for a really long time, shift up cruse for a few hrs and then stop for fuel or drop off and do it again.



What do your guys want?



Have you driven one?

I test drove a 3500 C&C + flat bed with the asain, empty it allways wanted to upshift until high gear, personally I didn't care for that, and using the exhaust brake in 6th at 50 MPH didnt' do much, yes I could down shift but I wanted to just drive the offramp, I think I uses more brake pedal then I would have on my 6sp 06 with exhaust brake. For ultimte control get the 6 speed, for laze drivers and or to make life simple get the auto.



On a side note Im looking at maybe the auto as well, I do a lot of intown driving and shifting, talking on the cell phone and eating a hamberger, and taking directions is hard when you have to shift. Oh and its allways at the same time... But Im like you waiting for someone else to take the leap and test it out.



Are you getting the 3500 4500 or 5500 ?

 

[BVANR]

I'm scheduled to pick mine up on Saturday. C&C 3500 with the aisen. I'll drive it 1,000 miles home with the other truck on the trailer... not much weight but enough to get a feel for it... . I'll let you know what I think as I'll cross some good mountian passes and also have some long flats. Should be a little more than a test drive!

 

[Grizzly]

Tried and True Manual. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, my daddy always said.

 

[DPKetchum]

The auto for sure.

 

[FATCAT]

Lets see, 5 trucks X the additional $2,500 cost for the auto-transmission. Save yourself the $12,500 or use it to upgrade the creature comforts of the trucks.

Auto-trannies for for old women, not trucks. If your drivers can't drive a stick, get a new driver.

 

[DPKetchum]

I've handled fleets,elect. service trucks,plummer trucks get the AUTOMATICS! Trashed clutchs,G56 6 speeds,flywheels sound like a nightmare waiting to happen to me.

 

[betterthanstock]

Hired drivers thrash manuals, lug the engines in traffic, etc...

 

[jnelson]

From reading the post above I would say no matter which way you go - your screwed :{. Save the money and get the the stick.

 

[Tspanos]

For landscaping we use all autos. For hauling I can't really steer you one way or the other but would strongly consider asking your drivers what their preference was. Make it a demacratic process. Give yourself two votes as your the one spending the money and give them each one. i'm sure they'll love getting to give input. You make it clear that it's still your money but it lets them become involved with the new purchases. Just an idea, and not really what you were looking for but hey thats why your here anyway. Good Luck, Tim

 

[Simplysmn]

After driving the new 6 speed auto today to heck with shifting a transmission ever again man that thing pulls great I would go with auto its pretty stupid proof compared to stick shift .

 

[BVANR]

Hauling my other truck back from Spokane after picking up my new C&C I would not hesitate to say that the Auto is fantastic. I'm sure the manual is fine, but I found the auto to pull the big hills and downshift going off the backside and do it all smoothly and without and concerns. It kept me in lower rpms than my 04 because of extra gears and that should translate into longer life... . no 3K wraps to keep the speedo where I thought it should be... . just smooth sailing. I love it and probably won't be shifting much after this truck... ever again!

 

[EB]

I have the Aisin on my C&C and wouldn't think of going back to a manual. By the way, you won't be getting the NV 5600, it will be a Getrag. Along with that you get the wonderful dual mass flywheel which, if you make it to 100k you will be lucky. I know, some people make it further. With hired drivers I would go with the Aisin. The Aisin does everything I want it to do with no problem. Sure is nice in traffic.



On a side note to FATCAT, I'm not an old woman, but you couldn't pay me the extra money the transmission cost and get me to go back to a manual transmission.

 

[DPKetchum]

One more time. The G56 is not a GETRAG.

 

[EB]

Ok, my mistake, I thought they were a Getrag, but it is not an NV 5600 either which the original post mentioned.

 

[RVTRKN]

When I test drove the Aison trans I was not impressed with the OD function (both 5th & 6th are locked out when its off) and want every bit of torque that the 6. 7 produces. I don't like the fact that you lose HP and torque behind any auto trans. Even the allison trans is horrible when it comes to torque management, as GM calls it. I am the driver when it comes to selecting gears, not the trans.



KaiasDaddy, have you made a decision yet? Its been two weeks since your post and just wondering.

 

[BBoling]

As a business owner or manager, etc. , you have to look at data out there re: fleet truck purchasing, maintaining, etc. as it relates to transmission choice. There has got to be data out there, or at least someone knowledgable who can give you feedback about managing a fleet with manuals vs. auto trannys. If I were you I'd be scraping the face of the earth for real world maintenance data and some kind of cost/benefit analyses btwn the two. If you own/manage a business, I'd want to see if the cold hard numbers can decide for you. If the numbers are close, then MAYBE make the choice based on preference. A very good start in the decision is that $12,500 price difference manual vs auto. In the end, you know your business, not me. Just my . 02. Hope it helps.

 

[MLisle]

I have a 2007 with the G56 and I really like it. It sounds like the majority of miles your fleet covers is on the highway so if it was me, I would buy the G56, due to cost savings and operating primarily on the highway. A poor driver will trash a automatic as well as a standard.

 

[Ragain]

I'm sure you know the habits of your drivers. Do they treat your rigs w/ TLC, or "stab it and steer"? Todays elec. auto trans. are high tech & a lot of fleet owners prefer automatics simply because they are programmed to prevent harm to the drivetrain. If you have good veteran drivers that know how easy it is to hurt drivetrain components and drive accordingly..... get a standard transmission.

Oh... . and automatics tend to cost more in preventative maintenance, but are easier on drivetrain wear.

6 of one, half a dozen on the other. Push a pencil and figure long term projected costs.

 

[Cattletrkr]

If DC is comfortable giving a 180K warranty, I'd be more than comfortable accepting it. The lower cruising RPM should help pay for the auto as well.