Manual vs Automatic transmission.

I've had my 2001 Dodge 2500 CTD 6 speed w/ 2 speed GearVendors overdrive for 13 years. This past Saturday went and got a 2016 F250 Superduty. Pulled our fifth wheel with it for the first time. Absolutly love it, so much more relaxing to drive. With standard, always had to be paying attention to rpms in rolling hills. Now just cruise. Easier to pay attention to trailer and driving. If anyone wants a standard, I have one for sale.

noteven wrote:
Low reverse...what a concept!

Yes, low reverse. I put my truck in reverse on a hill with the trailer on it and it nearly leaps in reverse. Zero effort for the truck

Low reverse...what a concept!

I think it boils down to strength and reliability. Not tow or weight rating. Reason I say that is every auto that fails is rated to tow what they say. Just because a manufacturer rates their transmission to tow say 14000 pounds doesn't give it built in reliability. What gives it reliability is proven time on the road with a load with in it's rating. It does seem to me that the current group of medium and heavy duty autos out there are earning their right to be called sturdy and reliable. And like many others in this thread, I tend to think there is no added gain in reliability by getting a Manual Transmission. And I think the only auto tranny that came in to this mix with "grandfathered-in" reliability is the Allison. I know some don't agree with that but while Ford and Dodge were struggling trying to get a transmission to hold up under extreme loads and conditions the Allison just chugged along like it always has. I recently drove a 2015 or 2016(not sure) Ford F-350 Diesel and that thing was a bullet! The six speed auto shifted amazingly solid and the spacing seemed impeccable. I drove a 2006(pretty sure)Dodge 6.7 with a 6 speed auto and it was quit silly with it's shifting habits. Up/down hunting all around. I'd like to thing the newest Dodge Auto's are up to speed. You know one thing I really like about the Allison is the super low reverse. Nearly like 4-low in 4wd.

CHLEJ, About 99% of the time (for many reasons), I want a manual! The "only" time I would want an auto is "city" driving. Thou...The new autos are vastly improved from yesteryear!

Until I was 30-31 y.o., I always had/drove manual transmissions. Cars, pickups, commercial vans, commercial trucks, grain trucks and motorcycles.

I liked the control, engine braking (lots of very cold winter driving), etc. a manual gave me.

Of course back then when I was younger, a very long time ago...I can't think of any MDT/HDT commercial and farm trucks that had automatics. I also liked shifting...knowing when to shift and snapping off quick shifts to keep the engine in its powerband with a heavy load. Back then tachs which are a very good aid for keeping an engine in the powerband weren't common...except on muscle cars and then usually as an option.

I started getting automatics when I was living/working in the city. All that grid lock and clutch in...clutch out...got to me.

And in these modern days I just have an automatic, but every so often I would like to still have a standard.

Now with even so many HDT's having autos I think the manual is on the endangered list.

tdst51 wrote:
It's pretty obvious to me. I don't want to be shifting gears all the time. I like to pretty much kick back and take it easy while driving, especially distances.

That's pretty much me too and at the slow pace of 65MPH. Lol!

It's pretty obvious to me. I don't want to be shifting gears all the time. I like to pretty much kick back and take it easy while driving, especially distances.

Bionic Man wrote:
When I bought my 03 RAM, I ended up ordering it because I wanted a manual transmission. Back then, the manual was rated to tow more weight than the automatic.

Kept that truck until 2012. Transmission never gave me any troubles.

That said, I prefer the 68RFE in my current truck over that one. It shifts very well, and leaves me free to do important things like text while I drive, and eat/drink going down the road. I could do that with the old truck, but I had to steer with my knee, which got a little old.

I kid (mostly). But I do prefer the auto now.

Don't do that in Washington, we just passed laws on distracted driving. Fines now can be levied for eating, talking (except hands free), smoking, drinking and farding. 10 and 2 and nothing else or it is going to cost.

Towed many miles / kms with Dodge / 6 spd manual sometimes heavy for the little truck. Biggest complaint is reverse is too fast for backing heavy trailers.

I like how the truck sounds like a truck not a wheel loader when you drive off...