Is the new Ford 6 speed really that BIG a deal?

Yes. I just went from a 5 speed to a 6 speed about 3 weeks ago. I think it is a tremendous difference. I love it. My wife and I can actually have a conversation at normal speaking volumes now when cruising down the interstate. My tow/haul function works like it should work. I am not sure the folks who posted problems with this function completely understood what it does.