Towing with a manual trans

KachFam · 02-27-2013, 11:43 PM

Does anyone tow with a manual trans. truck? How do you like it? I've been thinking of buying a manual trans Dodge Ram diesel (identical to mine almost) that I came across. I enjoy driving a manual a lot as a daily driver. I think it would be good to tow with due to the extra gears and noticeably more power to the ground over my auto.

Any thoughts? I know it's not for everyone, but I've had my eye on one of these trucks for a long time.

OnTheGo · 02-28-2013, 06:01 AM

I think most driving "purists" would tell you that manual shifting is the best way to go. I'm sure my automatic does a better job of being in the right gear at the right time than I would manually.

If you enjoy it -go for it.

krsmitty · 02-28-2013, 07:18 AM

KachFam,

I have an auto in my 07 Ram 2500 and have wondered the same thing. Especially around town, stop and go type traffic. Once the TQ convertor locks and it goes into O/D the truck seems to be in the wrong gear for acceleration around the 35-50 mph range. I can watch my EGT gauge and notice it really rise as the fuel is dumped in. I normally correct the problem by hitting the O/D button to take it out of O/D or accelerate hard enough to force it to down shift or come out of O/D. With a manual, I assume all I would need to do is down shift to the gear for more efficient acceleration.

I do believe on some of the newer trucks they have the shift pedals on the steering wheel to control shifting.(?)

Doug · 02-28-2013, 07:36 AM

I tow with my Tacoma 5 Speed manual.
If you like driving a manual, then it's fine to tow with.
Like previous poster said, you're going to make sure you're in the right gear.
Especially seeing hills ahead, you can anticipate what you need where an auto needs to start feeling the effects which is sometimes too late.

Best regards,
Doug

TCNashville · 02-28-2013, 06:26 PM

My 2012 F-250 has a TorqueShift 6 speed automatic. It has a feature that allows one to shift through gears 1 thru 6 manually and its located on the shift lever that's attached to the steering column. Rotate it to whatever gear you want. Amazing stuff. I rarely use it because nothing beats the tow/haul feature. Besides, towing 9200lbs I'd probably burn up a lot of clutches. Terry

Chakara · 02-28-2013, 09:41 PM

I love my 05 CTD w/6 speeds. Trailer is right around 7000 lbs loaded for the road. Pulled it once with my folks 2010 CTD - and tow mode is very nice as well.

-Chak

Boss Wagon · 02-28-2013, 10:33 PM

Funny thing, most manuals are rated slightly less for towing capacity than the autos. I know last year the High Output Cummins Ram was not available with a manual, only as an auto. Of course 800 ft lbs is almost overkill anyway!

Another oddity, my wife likes manual transmissions. She has an 09 Civic Si, (which was only available as a manual) and a 12 Wrangler manual.

**norty1** · 03-01-2013, 07:00 AM

To late for me, my manual shifting days are over.

KachFam · 03-16-2013, 12:12 AM

Looked around for a few weeks and never found a truck that works for us. The manuals command a premium price around here (aka - overpriced for what you're getting). I'm going to keep my truck - already have some money invested into setup and preventative maintenance. She's getting a bit older, but it costs big bucks to get anything I'd trust more.

I don't love the auto, but it gets the job done and it's about the only thing I don't like about my truck. This week I'm buying some extra gauges, fluids for front and rear diffs, and supplies to change out the coolant, water pump, t-stat, and probably fan clutch (just started acting up). We've got a lot of camping miles coming up!

jal0710 · 03-16-2013, 07:21 PM

I bought a Dodge with a manual and the biggest problem I found was the downgrade in HP and Torque. I felt that translated to a lower towing capacity. Also, felt uncomfortable with having two feet on the floor trying to back boat and fifth-wheel since I like to back looking over shoulder rather than using mirrors. Traded it for a GMC 2500HD with automatic and like it much better.

Flyrotor · 03-17-2013, 02:27 AM

I have the Dodge Cummins with 6 spd manual transmission and I absolutely love it. When I was looking from my truck, the Cummins diesel, manual transmission, and an 8 foot bed were my only "must haves" to seal the deal.

My friend has a very similar truck to mine with the automatic and manual gear select option, but it is not the same as the all out manual. The electronic manual gear select actually only locks out the higher gears than that which is selected. (i.e. if you have 4th gear selected, it will automatically operate between 1st to 4th gear as normal, but will not go any higher)

It's too bad you can't find one locally.

mike12110 · 03-17-2013, 07:15 AM

If the issue is about towing heavy loads there is not any argument that the auto is better. The torque converter (read torque multiplier) allows the engine to operate at a torque/RPM output differing from the gear ratio. This allows much more power to be applied to moving a stationary load. The manual transmission clutch must be slipped to allow enough rpm to get to a power level to move the load. There is also the issue of startup on steep inclines. There is a reason why autos are sold more than manuals. This should stir up a hornets nest. But if one likes manual than fine, just remember heavy duty autos are built to do the job better.

hotrod51 · 03-17-2013, 12:17 PM

X2 Keep in mind in a traffic jam engage clutch, disengage, engage, disengage, X? get the picture. all this heats up the clutch which is the weak link. go automatick

mikmurphy · 03-17-2013, 04:11 PM

One thing for sure, the manual will be far less desirable to potential truck thieves! A retired cop buddy of mine used to work auto theft detail, and local dealerships would loan his unit vehicles to use as "bait." One time the unit got a 1/2 ton truck with manual tranny; my buddy said, "We couldn't get anybody to steal that truck!"

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