Manual vs Automatic transmission in TV

ricatic wrote:
did you miss my point when I wrote I have nothing against the manual transmission???

Sorry ricatic, I didn't mean to be rude or insulting. I get that way sometimes. Usually my wife keeps me in line, but she does not read this forum :)

This thread reminds me of the ones that used to come up 10 or so years ago. Those used to start with something like, "do you drive a manual or a girly auto?" ??

And yes, I've been driving long enough to remember when it was uncommon to see autos in trucks. Not necessarily because they weren't available, people in my parts just didn't spend money on options. Most of the pickups had straight sixes under the hood. More likely to see a 4-speed stick than a V-8 engine. Only a very few had big blocks. The idea that every option needs to be selected on the order sheet is a relatively new thing.

colliehauler wrote:
A lot of young people have no idea how to drive a manual transmission.

Very true.
I like manual shifting trucks, jeeps and tractors. Neither my wife or I have any trouble starting on hills or backing up with a trailer or shifting in heavy traffic.

To get the trailer to the loading pen we have to back up a hill to get there and we have to make a small turn while we are doing it and it is sometimes a pretty muddy path. No problem for either one of us old folks. and that's why our trucks are 4x4s with a low range.

Having said that you might notice our new truck is an Automatic.We had no choice. I'm not a Ram truck guy. All 440hp and 860ft lbs, RRRMMM RRRMMMM. and I really, really like it. The automatic and it's tow mode is great and the exhaust brake is a real brake saver. Just fantastic.

Will I miss the 7.3 and it's 6 speed manual? you bet but not really all that much since it will still be doing most of our heavy towing.
Carrying the camper even with the jeep or horse trailer behind it is one of the lighter jobs our trucks do.

rhagfo wrote:

blofgren wrote:
OK, I'm going to go against the grain here and state that my preference is a manual transmission, which my last 3 trucks have been. They cost less, generate WAY less heat especially under load, are extremely reliable, and are a snap to drive for an experienced driver. I drive a 2012 F-150 for a work vehicle and as much as I will admit that the newer automatics are better than they used to be, they are still not as good as a manual. I also can't help but think that these transmissions will cost a fortune in the future to rebuild/repair when the time comes, which it will especially when towing heavy.

With all due respect to those who state that they are difficult to get a heavy load moving, back a trailer into a campsite, etc. I can't help but think that they have not driven a manual transmission mated to a modern diesel with plenty of low end torque. My Cummins/6 speed manual transmission has the zero throttle launch feature which means put the transmission in the PROPER gear (not too high, especially under heavy load), and easily let the clutch out. This is easily accomplished with any heavy load on any hill and the truck does not even snort. The Cummins/manual transmission combo was a match made in heaven!

In regards to driving in heavy traffic, as long as I am watching traffic ahead and using the exhaust brake in full on mode, I can easily drop down to 15 mph in 5th gear using the exhaust brake and pull out of it without downshifting. If you are a race to each light and hit the brakes kind of driver, this method will not work for you!

Yes, the Cummins is derated on paper with the manual transmission. I drove Cummins equipped trucks with both the manual and automatic transmissions and the manual transmission did not feel any more sluggish, perhaps because of the power absorbed by the automatic. In any case, I am not at all unhappy with the power of my truck and even if I was a programmer will easily fix that when my warranty is up.

And lastly, I'm not sure why some are saying the manual transmissions are gone when Ram still offers the Cummins with a manual.

Just my 2 cents worth.

X2
Glad I read all six pages!
I think the biggest reason for automatics is so uncoordinated people can drive cars and trucks! :B Did I just say that??? :S

I daily drive my Cummins 5 speed back and forth to work, six or seven stop lights. I don't give it a second thought. I tow an 11,000#+ 5er and have gotten stuck in stop and go traffic on the coast, hilly little towns. I don't have an issue.
It is all about the driver!! Some people just can't drive a stick, some want their coffee, and sandwich.
One of the reasons the manual is going away, likely warranty claims on clutches. Ram should offer the Cummins with a double disk clutch, that is what I installed in my Daily Driver, and have zero issues shifting or starting out.
I believe that resale is not hurt with a manual, as there are many that want them, and they are getting to be fewer and fewer available.
It is all a state of mind, driving my manual is automatic!

I was waiting for you to reply to this one! Let me guess; you were out camping on the beautiful Oregon coast?

bovellois wrote:

blofgren wrote:

Paul Clancy wrote:
Can't imagine wrestling a standard by choice. I guess truckers do it for money but I'll stick with the Allison with cruise grade braking and tap shift if needed.

I agree with other comments that have been said in that unwanted shifting with an automatic transmission is and always will be a problem. With the manual, you can leave it in whatever gear you want/need at the time with no unwanted shifts. An alert driver can see upcoming grade changes, traffic changes, etc. much better than a computer can!

The other thing I notice here in Quebec is that automatic transmission makes for poorer drivers. It may be hard to control a car with two pedals, but controlling it with just the gas pedal proves to be too hard for some. They take off way too fast at stop signs and lights, they don't know what feathering is, whereas the standard transmission is not forgiving, the driver has to be in tune with the road, and that's a good thing.

Agreed. It seems that anyone driving a vehicle with a manual transmission is much more alert; I find that you "feel" the road much better. Part of this may be the fact that they are not on the phone while trying to drink coffee and eat a breakfast sandwich!

I also think a big part of diminishing manual transmission equipped vehicles is pure laziness in people. A natural tendency of humans is to exert the least amount of effort into any and everything!

A lot of young people have no idea how to drive a manual transmission.

Dadoffourgirls wrote:

ricatic wrote:
...and I am happy but it has nothing to do with trucks, cars or rv's...

Is it because the snow has melted?

...that sure helps...but not the reasons...I just finished a big job in Iowa and am scheduled to start a job 3 times as big in Minnesota next month...50 miles south of the Canadian border...nice to know what I will be doing for the next 14 months or so...

Deb and I went and looked at and drove a 2015 Chevy Colorado CC SB 4x4 today...She really liked the truck...I think we will order a 2016...maybe with a diesel

Regards

blofgren wrote:

Paul Clancy wrote:
Can't imagine wrestling a standard by choice. I guess truckers do it for money but I'll stick with the Allison with cruise grade braking and tap shift if needed.

I agree with other comments that have been said in that unwanted shifting with an automatic transmission is and always will be a problem. With the manual, you can leave it in whatever gear you want/need at the time with no unwanted shifts. An alert driver can see upcoming grade changes, traffic changes, etc. much better than a computer can!

The other thing I notice here in Quebec is that automatic transmission makes for poorer drivers. It may be hard to control a car with two pedals, but controlling it with just the gas pedal proves to be too hard for some. They take off way too fast at stop signs and lights, they don't know what feathering is, whereas the standard transmission is not forgiving, the driver has to be in tune with the road, and that's a good thing.

rbpru wrote:
For those who miss the feedback of clutch and foot, I suppose we're in the same boat as the old wagon teamsters. A rather limited niche market.

We made both of our boys learn to drive with a stick, when all their friends were learning on automatic. They hated it at first. Now they would not have it any other way.

Plus, we just replaced the clutch on my son's Tercel at 140,000 miles, because we had to split the gearbox to do the engine rear seal. One hundred dollars for the clutch assembly, beat that.

No coordination issues-( driven many standards over many years)or hunting gears or overheating with the Allison. The tcm logic is really quite impressive.