I will be ordering my truck "hopefully" by end of July. I need some info from a select few of you.
The ability to order this truck is directly related to my getting rear ended by a national furniture rental chain delivery truck while on my motorcycle. I have had one surgery on my left knee. It has been doing pretty good unless I bend it too far.
I have driven the 6 speed auto and it was really nice. I have also driven my brothers 04 6 speed manual dually, but only for a few miles. My question is this, do any of you with knee problems have any issues with the clutch pressure? I float the gears on any diesel I drive so I'm thinking it would not be too bad to only use it to get moving. I will be pulling a 30+ foot horse trailer with living quarters or a 20+ foot boat or my muscle truck on a trailer. All of which in the mountains and hills of Colorado.
Opinions?
Is the auto stout enough to actually work the truck?
Is the clutch on the 6.7 really as bad at slipping as I've been reading?

 

The only thing I can tell you is my 6 speed doesn't like to float through the gears. Getting it out, no problem. Getting it back in w/o the clutch, problem.

 

I was able to float my brothers 04 without a problem. I used to drive a big rig and just do it the same way.

 

The manual trans seems pretty tight so far in this truck - 2700 miles. I can float the gears, but usually get it to grind for one of them. So I stopped doing it, at least for a while.

Granted this has been my first vehicle with a stick, so I'm learning a bit too. My dad was able to float up and down a lot smoother than I was able to, but he also said it was pretty tight.

 

My 07 6.7 6 speed dosen't like shifting without the clutch. My 01, 6 speed was fine with it.

 

Why buy a manual when you get both with the 68. You can use it by shifting with the button or put it in d and then set the highest gear to shift to ands with the tow/haul its like having a butler doing your shifting for you.
Fred

 

Speaking as someone that has had several knee surgeries {23} on left 7 on right you do not want to stress out the joint by useing a clutch stick with a auto and dont worry about changeing gears good luck with the knee and stay off of it as long as possible trust me dont over do it been there Done that have the scar to prove it .

Val

 

The clutches are easier on these newer trucks than the older ones or so that's what a tech at the dealer commented to me after he pulled my (sorry 5.9 not 6.7) truck out of their shop one day. Don't know if your brother's nv5600 clutch feels similar to my g56 or not though because I've never driven an older one. But I agree with others if you got a bum knee why take a chance on making it worse? Besides that most everything I've seen here on the new 6 speed autos makes me think they are a solid trans. And not to open a can of worms as this is just my O and I know this has been argued before but I am of the belief that fully synchronized transmissions are not meant to be floated period.

 

Who needs a manual with the new autos and exhaust brake.The manuals are a by gone era.

 

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm with you on the auto. I knew as soon as I said my knee was doing pretty good it would start bothering me again. I'm going with the auto. Now, if I could just find a truck. I really don't want to order one because of the time it takes to get it. I'm having the stretch done on a fully loaded Laramie.

 

As much as I like having a manual, some days my knee doesn't feel like it likes it very much, and I just take the wifeys car .

 

I let my dad drive it again today and he was able to continually float up/down without a problem. It's probably been 10+ years since he drove a standard too. But back in the day he did drive truck for a while.

BTW, figure out the options you want the most and have them do a dealer search. If they really want to make a sale, they'll do a dealer trade and get the truck for you. Mine was about 150 miles away.

 

I also have left knee problems (too many motorcycle wrecks) and have no issue with the clutch.
But I will say the new 6spd autos are impressive. My next truck will have one so the (gulp) wife can drive it.

MikeyB

 

I drive a big truck at work so I am use to not using the clutch but my pickup isn't to friendly with it. I figure eventually with some wear it will shift easier.

 

Fade94, go take one of the 68RFE equipped trucks out for a spin.

I generally don't like autos, but it's hard not to be impressed with this one.