Ordering new truck question

[JJuliano]

My father is getting ready to order a truck. Question about high output motor with 6-speed manual vs. automatic. Is there a big difference in fuel economy vs. the reliability of the new manual transmission offered with the high output? Specs of new truck to be ordered 2500 possible 3500, 2-wheel drive, with 3. 70 ? 4. 10 He will be towing a 5th around 10500#

 

[Casey Balvert]

The six speed has been in production for several years and appears to be pretty reliable. The 48RE automatic is an unknown factor at this point. I haven't heard of any problems but it has only been on the road for about 2 months. If you don't mind the shifting the 6 speed is the way to go if you tow. Is that trailer weight the GVWR or unloaded?



FWIW, Casey

 

[boonsur]

If he's willing to shift, and doesn't do a bunch of stop-and-go driving, then I'd definitely recommend the 6-speed. It is very smooth/easy to row. Manuals will typically get better fuel mileage. (BTW, you should be fine with the 3. 73's for that trailer weight, which should help on the efficiency).



The New Venture NV5600 (6-speed) has been out for a while now, and is pretty proven (built by a company that specializes in transmissions). The new transmission you hear about is an automatic, built by Dodge. The auto (48RE) is a beefed-up version of the last one (47RE). Whether they fixed all the weaknesses, remains to be proven. If it matters to you, the auto is not yet certified for use with an exhaust brake, although it most likely will be soon.



It seems, the majority of transmission problems/complaints come from the autos. And, when you hear of a problem with the autos, it is usually a design/modulating problem, which is typical of every one. The manuals may have a few bad eggs, but overall they are very solid/dependable.



My last truck had the (47RE) auto, and I knew it would cost a couple grand to rebuild it, before 100K miles. For me, it was better to put that money towards a new truck that wouldn't have the same weakness.

 

[JJuliano]

That trailer weight is gross.

 

[DBVZ]

You may want to read through the thread "Ho 48re owners, any regrets?" for some discussion on this question. I bought the 48re, and really like it. It is under the powertrain warranty. My reasons were:



I drove the 6 speed and the 47re before I ordered, but the decision was relatively easy for me. The reasons were:



1. The 6 speed is a lot of shifting around town. It is a tight pattern, but not hard to hit shifts. The number of shifts was an inconvenience I did not feel I needed or wanted for my use of the truck.



2. The tow rating of the 48re is the same as the 6 speed. Not almost, it is the same. I ordered the 48re without driving it, based on the information on the TDR about how it was built. Related to that, information here indicated it was expected to be e-brake compatable and people have already put on Jake and Pac Brakes, and others I assume, with very good results. I think testing is still going on, but approval for an e-brake without warranty issues, may be only a few days or weeks away.



3. I am not hauling max loads, so 4 speed vs 6 speed will not be any problem for me. When pulling the 5k trailer I have, it has had no trouble maintaining 60 MPH up a 5-6% grade, and it feels like it will take a steeper grade without a downshift. I am passing a lot of passenger cars with no trailer at all going up that hill.



4. I am not buying the theory that for highway driving the 6 speed is better. In fact, in town the 6 speed is more trouble; and on the highway once you shift up to 6th, the auto and the stick drive just the same. Any difference is on hills, where the stick gives you more choices about what gear to be in for the climb. As I said, the auto in 3rd can really climb with the load I am pulling, so the additional options seem to be unnecessary for me.



5. Probably most important is that this is a retirement truck, and my wife and I will both be driving it while we are traveling. She can drive a stick fine. For both of us, the 6 speed with the clutch would be added to the trailer and the mirrors and the length of the combination; all complications that add to the distractions while driving. Eliminating the clutch and shfting just makes it a little simpler, and keeps more attention on the road instead of what we are doing in the cab. For that reason, it is probably a little safer.



All of that said, if you are going to pull max loads, mostly on highways with a lot of hills, the 6 speed is probably better for that. That just does not describe me.

 

[Dean Upson]

I drove the 6 speed and the 47re before I ordered, but the decision was relatively easy for me. The reasons were

I prefer the six speed, just my own personal taste and I do like the manual better for towing. I actually like to shift! I enjoyed your post. You give a pretty good case for the 48RE. After all is said and done, it is pretty much a matter of personal taste and you stated that well.



Dean

 

[Elite1]

My 2 cents... . My 96' has the auto 47re, While I love the Cummins motor the transmission was sub-standard. It has blown out twice at 70,000 and 120,000. miles(serviced reguarly)... plus the rearend went out once.

I tow only occasionaly, A bob-cat tractor and a 4x4ditch witch trencher, but do drive a steep long grade almost daily.

The 2003' auto is supposed to be an upgrade from the previous years, but only time will tell. The rearend is definitely an improvement. Bigger more heavy duty, and holds alot more fluid.

I have ordered the new 6 spd , manual on my 2003'. I don't trust the 310 HP and all that torque to an automatic, this is a much more powerful motor than my 96', I would think the 2003 Auto would have to be a huge difference from the 47re to compensate for the HO motor.

Only time will tell if the 48 model trans. can handle the HO... . I know I will not be Dodge's guinney pig!

 

[DBVZ]

Dean,



Exactly - personal taste and personal needs. I waited 6 months to order the truck until the 48re was available. I wanted the Cummins HO/48re, over the Duramax/Allison. They have done a good job with the new transmission from all reports, and that has opened up a market that Dodge had not been able to reach with the SO/47re... including me.



Just for the record, the 47re was not all that bad if drivers stayed within its limits. Power enhancements to the Cummins, and/or pulling more weight than the transmission is rated for, seem to be the source of a lot of the reported problems. Unfortunately, the problems had a lot of us reluctant to pull anything with the 47re unless it was modified by ATS or someone.

 

[Elite1]

You may want to read this thread, not all are happy with the Autos... https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=70602

 

[DBVZ]

The problem with the 48re was due to a valve that was recalled and should not be a problem for anything produced after about February.