Towing: Manual or Automatic Transmission?

[Saggys]

Any input on transmission selection for towing?I am in the market for a first generation Dodge Cummins diesel (89-93)and am wondering which transmission is better fot towing?It seems like most serious towers run the manual.I will be towing my 20ft Lund Alaskan with a full size camper on the back.I know I could get by with a gasser but want a diesel and am stuck on the Dodge for price.

[Trailerguy]

[font color=green size=3][b]If you like a stick, go for it. The auto's can be beefed up to where they are ok too, but that's another 3 grand, but you might find one that age that's already modified.
A couple good sights for reading are:
http://www.dieselram.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi
http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/

[MikeMT]

If you decide on a 5spd manual,make sure that the tranny has the updated 5th gear kit installed.These transmissions were\are notoriuos for losing 5th gear,the retaining nut will back completely away from the gear.The earlier autos were only 3spds,the overdrivein good shape is a better choice.
Good Luck
Mike

[saggys]

Thanks for the input guys.I will be sure to check out the websites listed.

[Burr ND]

Agree with what MikeMT has to say. I had 5th gear retaining nut come off twice on a 98. I'm not really sure if they have found a fix for it or not that has been effective. I have since sold.

Manual or Auto - I would make the choice based more on what you would like to drive. The Cummins diesel will pretty much play with any boat tow. The 20 Alaskan is really going to be a non-issue behind the Cummins. And yes, I did tow a 20 Alaskan with my Dodge. If you like to put it in gear and drive, get the auto. If you like to push the clutch in, get the manual. I do believe the Manual will allow just a little better mileage, very small difference however.

That being said, you are correct to say, the really heavy tow applications chose the manual. I had the manual to tow a 42 foot tautliner trailer, 13 foot tall, with 20-28,000 lb payloads in North Dakota wind. The trailer empty weighed 8600 lbs, so I was tugging 30-35000 lbs. The Auto would have taken more hp before the wheels than the manual. The Alaskan or a 2025 Pro V don't even begin to compare.

My biggest advise - if you can find used with a transferrable warrenty, get it. I always paid the extra for the 100,000 mile warrenty. It paid for itself (multiple times for each truck) every time. But then, I put them through extreme work too. Also, your best mileage with this engine will be achieved by keeping the RPM's below 2000. Make sure you test drive and check RPM's at highway speed. For your application, the lower the better. 1500 in OD at 70 mph would be great.

[perchjerker]

All great advice. I will add one thing I really didnt think about, I have a manual trans in my Super Duty.

When you are launching/loading, there may be times when its more convienent to have someone else drive the truck. Remember that person also has to be well versed driving a clutch. There have been a few times for me when it would have been easier for my wife to back the truck in, like at a ramp with no dock, but she doesnt drive a manual trans much, so I had to work around that issue.

[Sparky]

I agree with the auto for the same reason. I wouldn't trust anyone else with a stick on the ramp. With my boat I'd be a nervous wreck having someone else drive the trck on a ramp. People with manuals have trouble with their trans. and clutch also. The auto is much more fool-proof.

[Sparky]

I agree with the auto for the same reason. I wouldn't trust anyone else with a stick on the ramp. With my boat I'd be a nervous wreck having someone else drive the trck on a ramp. People with manuals have trouble with their trans. and clutch also. The auto is much more fool-proof.