Towing with Auto vs. Manual opinions. Looking for a TV

[Caseyjones955]

Greetings folks!

New to RVing, started out looking for an A but after receiving wisdom of the experienced on this board I decided on a 5th wheel setup. Q regarding tow vehicles.

I am decided on a 99-03 F250/F350 7.3 Power Stroke 4 door, 2 or 4wd, preferably not with dual rears. 30-ish foot 5th and probably with a 3300lb Samurai Dingy toad (if it fits and feels reasonably safe).


Auto: wont last as long under hard towing, getting less MPG, easier to tow?

Manual: Reliable, long lasting, better MPG, more of a chore to drive?

Hoping for some thoughts from those that have used both, wondering what sort of MPG and longevity/reliability advantage I may realize with a manual. I would like an auto but putting priority on reliability, longevity and relative economy.

Thanks
Tony

[Reelay]

huron52 wrote:
I tow with a stick.... I think it might be a little slower on the take off only because I like smoother shifts. For backing in I have manual locking hubs so I can put it in 4lock (not so much riding the clutch) with out any driveshaft wrap.

Would I buy another stick again for towing..... yes

X2,Agreed!! Backing up especially on a small grades.

[Caseyjones955]

I have been looking on CL and Ebay, CL being a much better lead. I see one 500 miles away that looks like an excellent fit. It has 226K mi but looks virtually brand new, might be worth a closer look. I will wait and travel to get the right tool. I don't want any regrets while I'm dragging my house around the Midwest!

I am seeing a fair amount of manuals out there, maybe 1 to every 5 autos I see that would otherwise fit the bill. Prices range from very reasonable to flat out absurd depending on region. Unless something I cant refuse comes up I will wait until Dec when I get back from the Philippines to buy rather than let it sit here rotting while I'm gone. Getting excited as the time nears. We have already been looking at 5ers to try and get a feel for what we would like.

I always get ramped up when there is a road trip coming!

Tony

[valhalla360]

Too Young to Retire wrote:
You can't drink coffee while you're driving if you have a manual tranny.

Why not? I always did.

As to the original question, if you can find a nice truck with a manual at a good price, I would take it. We just picked up a 2001 but it's Auto because we only came across a couple Manuals and they were in rough shape.

[Caseyjones955]

I think I would go either way. I can live with the pros and cons of 2x or 4x. My real world use will probably be a great deal of rural and boondocking, I will probably never see an RV park and as little of the interstate as possible. I have heard no trouble with transfer cases and not sure if manual cases are out there but if so I would absolutely prefer manual transfer case, I will twin stick it if I can as well to choose HI/LO independently of 2/4wd. This truck will have to serve ALL truck needs aside from towing a 5er. Manual hub conversion with out a second thought.

I feel like I have already refined what I want enough to make finding the right truck difficult. I cant budge on the SRW long bed diesel crew cab part. I might consider an automatic if the trans has already been bomb proofed. Truth is I really do like manuals and have been driving them all my life. I don't care about the color or option package. I'm actually very happy to hear of a few folks here doing this with a manual and SRW. The input is infinitely valuable.


Tony

[C_Schomer]

I hAve friends with 7.3 6spdsandthey are great towing and get mpg like my dodge

[troy_johnsen]

Tony, your original post made it seem like you were weighing the 2wd vs 4wd. If you don't need 4wd and can go 2wd you will save MPG over auto vs manual. I need to get manual hubs but most trucks now adays have hubs locked all the time with a lot of extra drivetrain rolling and therefore wasting fuel.

This is a lot of the answer for auto vs manual tranny too. Look at us, as a society auto makers think we are too lazy to get out and lock hubs, or perhaps too stupid to unlock them. Probably much the same train of thought went into the surge of autos out there.

That being said I bought a Cummins that had a Dodge wrapped around it. Every vehicle I own has a manual tranny. When I ordered the truck I told them I wanted a manual tranny and a manual T case. I can replace a clutch, but I know a new/rebuilt auto is going to cost thousands of $$$ vs a clutch. I also have a pacbrake and I love the ability to hold whatever gear I want, but I know a lot of autos can hold gears too.

[mr__ed]

deleted post

[Robert6401]

2003 Ford 7.3 non-dually automatic driver here. My auto lasted about 40k miles towing our 5er before it started slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear. This was with a larger cooler installed. I do have a chip which increases power and I don't baby my truck. I bit the bullet and went with a John Wood transmission and am not looking back.

My opinion and experience tells me that if you're going to tow heavy with a 4r100, plan to have to rebuild it at some point. And when it needs rebuilding, you need to spend the money on either a John Wood or BTS trans, any other rebuild is going to leave you stranded in short order.

The 6-speeds in these trucks are stout if you can find one and want to drive it. Keep in mind that the clutch on these trucks is much more taxing than on your smaller vehicles.

[Quick_trip]

In a Corvette Z06 I must have the stick shift!!!!
In my truck I want an auto to do the work?
World of difference!

[Weldon]

I have a 2001F-250 7.3 and it has 125,000 miles on it. No problem with the transmission to date...I change the trans fluid every 30,000 miles and try not to abuse the truck. Pull a 10,000 # fifth wheel.
You might consider an exhaust brake.

[Caseyjones955]

"You can't drink coffee while you're driving if you have a manual tranny."

I currently have completely torn ligaments in my right shoulder, I cant even pick up a 20oz cappuccino without extreme pain unless I use my left. Waiting for surgery in August but will still take 2-3 months to fully heal. I drive my 5 speed SAAB around using completely my left to steer and shift. I have learned amazing dexterity with my left. So hopefully once I'm done here I WILL be able to row gears and drink coffee! hahaha.

[Caseyjones955]

My theory on the demise of manual transmissions is 2 part and runs parallel to what has already been said here. It is as follows:

1. Autos have become better and more reliable so now a viable choice for people who actually USE trucks. For a young person growing up now it is conceivable to have no exposure to manuals.

2. Trucks are QUITE often used by yuppies as a fashion statement or a testosterone replacement for both male and female buyers. I saw this A LOT when I lived on the West Coast. It was painfully obvious while watching Joe Q Public struggle with the Full-Size truck that a great percentage of their drivers really had no idea how to drive or park these beasts. So why buy a CC F350 when a Subaru Outback would do... It looks totally bada$$ and lets your neighbors know you can spend $55k in a new truck!

I know this wont apply to anyone here as this is a towing forum and full size trucks are used properly regardless of transmission choice.

I have always had manual trucks because I like the additional control over gears and the ability to manipulate the clutch in a pinch. I enjoy the lighter weight, greater reliability and MPG. I have not, however, towed a 5th wheel long term with a manual or had a truck as new as a 99-03. I'm glad to hear all your input. I want to come into this willing to relearn and have an open mind.

The most splendid transmission I have EVER owned was a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG 08 VW GTI) Audi/VW hit the nail on the head with. I know the Germans use this technology in factory cars that produce upwards of 700 ft lbs of torque. For those unfamiliar, its a manual gear box with no clutch pedal. There is a twin clutch setup controlled by computer that can behave like an automatic but shift gears smoothly in WELL under .5 split second. No heavy pump or hydraulic circuitry, a manual gearbox with computer control that works amazingly well. When this tech shows up on Full Size trucks it will be the tipping factor I need to consider buying new. I guess for now I better stick to a manual but I'll be keeping an eye on the later trucks and how they pan out for this purpose. I do think I would like to move to an auto for this at some point.

-/rant mode off.

Tony

[Wiley75]

I had a 02 F350 that I ordered with a 6 speed manual and all the heavy duty stuff. I couldn't find a dealer that had one. They all buy the same "vanilla" spec truck because they get a discount from the factory for sticking with a common bill of materials. When I sold the truck I found that it was worth it's weight in gold because Ford was having so many tranny failures with the E40D and 4R100. If you can find a 6 speed manual buy it. Or if nothing else keep $4000 in the bank for when the auto bonks out and you have to replace it.

On a newer truck (2008+) I personally wouldn't be afraid of an auto trans. I believe they are FINALLY starting to figure out how to make them hold up

[Too_Young_to_Re]

You can't drink coffee while you're driving if you have a manual tranny.