New Dodge Diesel Truck - Auto or 6 speed?

[LarryRB]

The immediate area in which I live is just like San Fransisco. Hill after hill, some short pulls and others long., and all of them have curves and some switchbacks.. Pulling a L 48 on a Bri Mar trailer, both are heavy, and my 01 HO Dodge, I have the six speed manual. The 01 models I wouldn't take the chance with an automatic, although with the HO option one can only get the six speed anyway. I am told that the new 48RE over the 46RE can do this around this neighborhood. Even if it could. the next replacement will be a manual trans. I guess it is all what one gets use to in their particular neighborhood.

 

[Boomerang1]

I have a '97 with the 5 speed and 120k. Never had 5th gear go out because I never tow in 5th up or down hills and don't drive in 5th with rpm's less than 1500 even when empty. I can go 74 mph in 4th. Our mountain grades have a max speed limit of 55. In 4th gear that's 2100 rpm's. 12 valve, modified AFC plate and 620ft lbs of torque at 22 mpg!