Complete Newbie Needs Straight Talk

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
most with a V8 .. but avoid manual transmissions unless its a heavy duty.

my Ram 1500 V SIX manual.. would only do 3,000 pound trailer.. but the same engine with an automatic was 4,500 pounds. I am talking 2 wheel drive.

WDH is needed when trailer is heaver that tow vehicle or Nose heavy.. my opinion.

check owners manual and on the Door sticker.. for what a vehicle can tow and carry. as the door sticker is the last WORD on that it can do..

I' think a bit differently here.
IF you can actually find a full size pickup with a manual trans in your budget/condition range, as most 1/2 ton handshakers are now clapped out or recycled already, and want to drive a stick or are using the truck primarily for towing the camper, I think it's a much preferable option over ANY older auto trans for towing duty, simplicity and reliability.
Worst case, you have to put a clutch in it. No real worries about overheating he trans on hills, hold any gear you want up or down the same hill. Better compression braking.
If I had $10k or less to find the best 1/2ton tow rig I could right now today, I'd search for an old grandpa owned 2nd gen Ram 1500 5.2/5 speed or a GMT400 (88-98) 1/2 ton, 305 or 350 5 speed. Up through '92? GM used an aluminum foreign 5 speed trans in the 1500s. Wasn't highly regarded but I had 2 of them for a combined 300kmi total and never opened the case. 1 HD clutch replacement on each was all I did to them. In 93' I think, GM ditched that trans for a NV4500, even in the half tons. Yes the same trans behind every Cummins Dodge for years several GM models and ALOT of big power rock buggies. Indestructible in a little small block half ton.