time2roll wrote:
ShinerBock wrote:
OP, nice data.
I only hope that it gets through to some of these hard headed old timers that are stuck in their "shortest gear is needed" ways of thinking.
Don't just compare low gear.
Looking at about 4:1 for actual cruising you lose the top two gears with the 6 speed and the top 4 gears with the 10 speed. If you pay for a 10 speed but can only use 6 when towing I just don't see the point. Put 4.10/4.30 in there so I can use 8 of the 10. Who needs 4 OD gears for fuel economy? Yes EB run at lower RPM but still.
JMHO
So you expect to be able to use all of your gears in any situation when towing? I am not sure what your towing experience is and I am not trying to insult, but most vehicles are not able to use all of their transmission gears in every situation when towing heavy (or even moderate loads for some) regardless if the have a 5, 6, 8, or 10 speed transmission.
Most current 6 speeds have two overdrives which are 5th and 6th gears. With my 2014 Cummins, my 6th is utilized as my overdrive when unloaded and towing light loads for better fuel economy. I lock out 6th and use 5th as my overdrive when towing moderate to heavy loads on the highway. Again, for better fuel economy and to keep the EGT's in check.
Just because you have all those gears, doesn't mean you have to use them in every situation. They are there to keep the engine in its power band and have enough torque multiplication to keep the vehicle moving forward. Heck, even tractor/trailers with 13 or 18 speeds are not able to use all gears in every situation when towing.
