Questions about a 2012 Dodge 2500HD / Cummins

rhagfo, you are right, I am more on an automatic driver, and have been mostly for over 50 years. The truck I had was de-rated due to the manual and had a 3.42 rear end. I felt it was not as good a puller as my previous 2003 GMC D/A combo and the mileage was not getting better over the time I had it, it was getting worse. On top of that, my wife didn't want to drive the manual transmission and I found it difficult to back looking over my shoulder having to keep both feet on the pedals. Even with the taller 3.42 gearing the mileage on this truck was less than the old GMC. By the way, I learned to drive using an old three-speed manual with a first gear stump puller so I do know how to drive a manual, I just didn't like it as much and was displeased with the results, overall.