Which 2005 Ram To Buy?

[jtsandbird]

need help choosing an 05 for towing a 11k fifth wheel ... auto or manual? laramie or slt? i have an 01 auto and have had a lot of trouble with transmission dont want to go there again, are the new auto transmission's better? i would rather not have to shift but i will if it will be less trouble.

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[fyrescott]

Auto vs. Manual for towing????? I have now had both and without a doubt I like the NV5600 for towing so much better. The auto around town is nice but that 6 speed was designed to tow. Now as far as interiors I love my loaded 05 Laramie with heated seats. But that is a personal choice no one can truly answer for you. I guess it comes down to how much do you want to spend$$$$ :{

 

[fyrescott]

And yes the new 48RE are way better auto trannies than the old ones.

 

[mberry]

I would suggest you go drive one of each truck. I mean the auto 3. 73/4. 10 and manual 3. 73/410. Try to get some kind of load on them if they will let you and see which one works best for you.



I have had both an auto and manual. Empty either transmission is great and never had any issues with the reliability of my auto UNTIL I towed with it. I now have the 6 speed. Love have 2 extra gears and being able to choose which gear I want to be in.



Every other question is up to you and what you want.

 

[RankRam]

When you are towing that 11k fifth wheel you will be very happy you have a six speed manual, and an exhaust brake would be great too.

 

[Fireman]

I went from an auto to a manual for towing and don't regret it. If you do opt for the auto, I would recomend 4:10 gears for towing. And don't forget the training wheels ! With a FW that size the DRWs really make a difference, as does the exhaust brake.



Fireman

 

[Rocky in KC]

go with the 3. 73, and six speed!!! you won't be sorry. I pull 12k 5th wheel no problem and the 3. 73 will help on milage when empty.

 

[ENordstrom]

I pull a 30' Crossroads fifth wheel at around 11000 lbs. I have the 6-speed and 4. 10 rear end. If I had it to do over, I would have gone with the 3. 73 rear end.

My truck could pull TWO fifth wheels and still not notice it. Plus the 3. 73's would give me a higher top speed ( it would be nice to keep up with traffic on the highways ) and likely increase my fuel mileage.

The 6-speed is awesome and I highly recommend getting it although I have read that the new 48re automatic is much improved for towing.

My father-in-law put the Gear-Vendors splitter on his and now he can do over 90 MPH in the desert where he lives. Although having 11 gears is a bit daunting to me.



My two cents :

6-speed

3. 73 rear end gears



Just my opinion which is actually worth one cent ( or so my wife tells me :-laf )

 

[jtsandbird]

do you like having to shift as oppose to an auto ?

 

[jtsandbird]

there is also a 6 speed manual and a 6 speed hd manual whats the difference and can you get them both in california?

 

[ENordstrom]

do you like having to shift as oppose to an auto ?

Its pretty nice to be able to put it in a gear and keep the torque band and RPM's right where you want them.

Shifting these things as been called 'rowing' through the gears, but I fell that having that real mechanical connection between the engine and transmission is stronger than fluid spinning around a torque convertor. I worked my way through college as an ASE certified mechanic and as such I prefer the manual transmission over the automatic.

This is just my opinion, which over the years has changed as I learn things.

Drive both types and see what you like. These brutes are so strong, they will drive the same towing or not.



Hey I just realized you are in Joshua Tree ! I have a house I rent out in 29 Palms ! In fact my family and I are moving back to California in a couple of months.

AS to the manual differences I dont know, somebody more knowledgable on these forums will point that out I am sure.

 

[macdaddy]

Get enough truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Had both . My last auto was even a HP ATS transmission. Go with the six speed. I live here with all the traffic in So Ca and still love rowing through all the gears. The 5600 with the 4:10's is such piece of mine I love it.



With 11K don't mess around get the 4:10's IMO.



Oh and get this, my wife said I had to get the manual after she swallowed the high performance transmission pill $$$$$



Mac

 

[jtsandbird]

lmao

yep did that with my 01