I have towed with automatics and also with manual transmissions. My personal preference is the manual. I like the feeling of the direct hook up. The six speed is great ;D . With the autos I always felt I needed a gear spliter [undecided].<br><br>As far as the observation that there are no manual transmissions on class A &amp; C motor homes. I suspect it is a combination of many factors. Everyone can drive an auto, consequently resale is higher. The cost of building a motor home with an auto is probably less. Consider the relative location of the engine and transmission to where the driver sits. Many times only one person in the family is comfortable driving a manual transmission so having an auto at least doubles the available drivers. The earlier observation regarding garbage trucks and buses having autos for city driving is probably right on. Motor homes are probably a compromise of city / slow speed driving and highway driving.

 

Allison does make a HD series auto tranny for class 8 over the road tractors...The leasing company that I worked for tryed some of these trannys in our Volvo's and found alot of problems...one problem was when backed up to a dock these trannys would lockup (Pressure against the tranny locked it) and needed to be pulled forward to unlock them...after trying the auto's we dropped them and never spec'ed a tractor with them again<br><br>We only tryed the auto's because some customers had ask about them due to female team drivers not liking manual trannys and the need to double clutch them....manuals are stronger trannys ....but females like the auto's ;D

 

The only automatic transmission I've ever liked to some degree was in a '92 Western Star single axle 4 wheel drive right hand drive plow truck. It was really a 9 speed standard that had a torque converter and automatic shift box added to it. When I first hopped in the truck I didn't think much of it but when I took it for a drive I was actually quite impressed! The thing shifted like any guy driving a standard would, if not even better! The T/C never unlocked unless you actually stopped or pulled a really steep grade at low speed. It had an exhaust brake that was really effective and with the T/C almost always locked it sure was nice. The truck also had a Cummins engine in it ;D. What a wonderful combination that was! The 4WD took me everywhere I was brave enough to take the truck. I also liked the right hand drive because a guy could be cruisin' down the street and looking down at the babes on the sidewalk 8) and because it was different, although it was a little wierd at first. Boss sold the truck last spring and bought a Brand new Sterling to replace it... As far as an automatic in a pickup, NEVER AGAIN!!! I love everything about my truck, but I absolutely HATE the automatic transmission. Way too much that can go wrong with it in my oppinion. Doesn't work worth a S&amp;*# when towing my 873 Bobcat. Also not much help in stopping if you lose your brakes. I know this from experience... :-[The next truck/Dodge I get will definitely have a standard, a H.O Diesel, all the BOMBing to go with it, an exhaust brake and of course 4Wheel Drive.

 

Prior to buying my HO 6 speed I was very apprehensive. I wasn't looking forward to shifting again, especially after getting rid of my F-150 5 speed of almost 10 years and then going to an automatic. However, I went with the 6 speed and I'm glad I did. Driving a diesel standard trans is so much different from a gasoline standard trans. For one thing, you don't have to really think about your RPM while letting the clutch out when taking off...you just can't stall a CTD when leaving in 2nd gear without a load. Unlike a gas pickup that needs the gas pedal and clutch pedal to work in perfect harmony, the resulting jerking and bucking will have you cursing your manual tranny. The CTD's have so much torque...it's amazing. You can actually round a corner in 4th gear and pull out of it just fine! I can't wait to hook up the 5er and give it a try. In short, get the 6 speed...you won't be sorry! ;D

 

First does the auto cost more to begin with? You might as well add the cost of a torque convertor and valve body to that and some kind of smart controller also.<br> Or just buy a standard 5 or 6 speed. Seriously I would drive each and make your choise. The stock auto is a different aminal when you have a load on it. Mine just revs up and then it takes off from the slip in the fluid coupling. There are a couple of things that bother me, first if the convertor is 89% effiecent then you have what, 11% losses? <br> Second have you ever tried to drive in 3 gear lockup because the 4 gear is to tall so you are stuck driving 60+ in 3 gear. The overdrive is taller in a auto than a standard or was so the big gap when towing. I was told not to tow in overdrive at rpms less than 1750. There are electrical solenoids, valves, all kind of seals that hold pressure in the transmission and some day they may need to be replaced. I will not buy a automatic transmission again, no way.....

 

I had an auto in my 2500 and it didn't have enough gears for towing. Even the 6sp seems wide some times. I wish Dodge would build a 5sp auto like Chevy and Ford. Making the auto heavier is nice but 4 gears is still not enough for a diesel.

 

Im standing on the auto side of the fence!<br>Don`t wanna start a fight But, did any of you manual guys ever drive a built for towing AUTO, I would never trade it for a stick again. I knew what I wanted and had my tranny done within the 1st week I got the truck. Also you have to have the output power of the motor to match the trans. It can get costly but in my opinion it was well worth it.<br> Danny

 

There's people who like autos and people who like manuals. The auto people know, or find out, that you have to throw some $$ in them if you upgrade power, or pull loads, or both. Manual people know they have a pretty much trouble free driveline. Personally, I'll never have a auto again in a 3/4 ton and up truck. Autos are for 1/2 tons and cars.

 

If you travel alot. Expect traffic, try sitting on RT95 in accident traffic for 2 + hours. then tell me how your left leg feels and the smell of that clutch after 400 starts in 2 miles.<br>BTW, whats a good clutch cost nowadays? say for 450+ HP?]<br> Danny

 

Hi i worked on both so i'l go with the manual <br>just look at the parts of a slush box it will make your choice easier if you keep the truck for a long time go with manual<br>or pay for the extended waranty or call ATS and put some major dollars

 

I greatly appreciate Rkelo98 starting this thread and all the replies. When I bought my '99, I specifically wanted the 5sp manual. I encountered the infamous 5th gear nut coming off while towing my 32' travel trailer through MT last September. Had Quad 4x4 put in their custom rebuild and a Con O clutch, thinking I was set for the next 200,000 miles. Unfortunately, I totaled the truck two weeks ago, and am now looking for a replacement. Like a few of the other posts, I've received a lot of grief from my wife for not being able to drive the manual (she's 4'11" and had a hard time reaching the clutch while shifting into 5th/reverse). I've found that 9 out of 10 vehicles on the market have autos. I'm probably going to get the auto, but needed ideas on how to stregthen it for towing the camper. Thanks for your feedback.
Franklin

 

Automatic + 4.10 is great for towing but 6spd is much better. It's all about being able to put it in what gear you want it to be in and having it stay there.

There are so many situations where with my 6spd I can throw it in whatever gear and just lay off that throttle or just give it a little... where with an automatic I'd be LAYING on the brakes. In traffic, going down steep grades, etc.

For your wife you can get pedal extenders or I think the new fancy Dodge's have power pedals which might help...

 

DANLIT,
Just what did you do to poop up your auto .? And what co did you use

 

I think the reason buses and garbage trucks are auto's is the experience and quality of the driver. UPS and FED EX I believe use manuals......the USPS uses auto's........see what I mean!
No really. I read a little while back about large trucking companies are starting to think about auto's and automatically shifted manuals(you use the clutch only when you start and stop). The reason they gave is that so many inexperienced drivers were hard on the manuals and the auto's would be less expensive.
I myself have always preferred manuals and my wife drives one too.....at her request.