Stick or Auto

[Foothill Rancher]

Had my Dodge Ram in the dealership for some work, while waiting for it I took a look at a couple of new 08 trucks on the lot, saleswoman came out to ask if I needed help, we talked and she offered me what I thought was a very good deal, question is the truck has a six speed trans with the cummins engine. My last truck was a auto but the only auto trans truck I've every owned. I'm not sure how tough the manuel trans are now adays. What are everyone's thoughts on the six speeds, it will be towing up to 14000lbs on all types of different terrains, not just highway driving.
Comments please.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am a boat dealer and never recommend a stick to any of my customers. Most of the boats I sell are 10,000# plus so they are large units. I have seen way too many burnt clutches on the ramp. That being said if I were buying a Cummins powered truck in the past the only way I would have had it was with a stick but they now have the new auto that is up to par with GM and Ford autos. I guess it will just be a matter of preference.

Chris

 

[em14]

As much as I have liked the "Control" I had over my trucks with a manual transmission I have not owned a manual transmission truck in a long time. IMHO I think you have better control with an automatic. I feel you are easier on the truck in rough off road conditions with the automatic than with the manual. I sure enjoyed shifting gears but I think my trucks are better off now.
Leo

 

[MFRED]

If you like a stick, that's the way to go. My '03 Dodge has over 160k on it , tows everyday. Maybe a little heavier than it should. I did put a South Bend clutch in it at 105,000. About 1,000 miles before, I decided that it wouldn't hurt to tow on performance mode on the chip. One long hill lugging in 6th and there was the clutch slippage. To replace this truck, standard. The drive to work, that one's an auto.

 

[weldingisfun]

2001, 2500, 4WD, Cummins, 6 Speed manual and 110K miles . I'll only get an auto when Dodge mates the Cummins with an Allison, or in other words when pigs fly.

 

[crashz]

I think I'd lose my license if I had a new Cummins with the six speed manual transmission. Either that or I'd go broke putting tires on it. My vote would be for the stick for the fun and possible abuse factor.

 

[WilliamBos]

stick.

 

[bigtiller]

My new GMC has both - kind of. Put it in "D" for automatic or "M" for manual and then push a button to change gears.

 

[Egon]

when pigs fly.

Darned, I've yet to see pigs fly but my 12 year old Dodge diesel with the original auto seems to have held up to quite a few miles of towing thats been above the limits.

Do these pigs fly at night??

 

[Farmwithjunk]

2 of 'em in my driveway. '03 Dodge 2500 Cummins/auto/4wd w/122.000+ and '04 Dodge 2500 Hemi/auto/4wd w/96,000+. Both spend a lot of their time with (heavy) loaded trailers behind them. Neither have had the first issue with tranny. If I bought another tomorrow, not a doubt in my mind it'd be ANOTHER automatic.

That said, from what I know of them, the 6-speed manual is tougher'n a $2 steak.