Auto or Manual Tranny for pulling?

[o3shortbed]

[quote=crabtruck;37699]I love these kinds of questions. Not only can they only be answered by scientists in a lab, the answers only would apply in the lab.

Originally Posted by 02F2504x4

.... if you know how to drive it right ....../quote]

This is probably the most important thing said so far. I get far far better milage than anyone else who drives the same rigs I do over the same roads because I try for the best results from that rig as opposed to getting there fastest, jack rabbit driving, or any of the other things that kill mileage. For the same reason I have no controll issues because I think about what the rig can handle ahead of the need and stay within that. Driving habits rule.

Just in terms of towing a trailer, I can only say what I've done, not if it's better than another setup. Mostly I pulled a 7-9,000# box trailer with a 94 k1500 5.7 auto. Miles split 50/50 between freeways and 2 lane in Norhtern california which includes crossing several mountain ranges. I averaged 950-1,000 mi/day and have about 65,000 doing this. I handled up to 10% grades both up and down and long run up and downs. I never had a breakdown or overheat. It never got "hot" engine nor brakes. I have all the same parts except pads and plugs. I do change tranny fluid at 5,000mi.

No one seeing me on road would have been impressed seeing me go by but that was kinda the point. I did it for a living, so I did it right. I know lots of people who had thrashed rigs. I don't think I got the "lucky" chev so I say " how do YOU drive ? "

Some of the others can talk to you about the trade off for power and mileage, not my science. I can tell you gas mileage doesn't come from auto vs man tran, I'll smoke you for mileage with either. I spent most of my time getting good at driving, not racing, so that what I know. I hear about the new shift point trannys and it sounds interesting but I have always told mine when to shift, either by lever or foot on gas.

I think this is another "wrong question" since towing is done with power and supported by suspension. IMO the right tranny is one that can handle the ENGINE.

that is the truth if i ever heard it. auto or manual the driver still controles when it shifts. i drive an auto that hits od at 38 mph unless its a steep hill i try with my foot to keep it in od. if i want another gear ill push the gas.


very well put crabtruck

[njray48]

Stick for me.....wait that sounds funny.........

[Pantharen]

It really depends on the load & the truck.

my 300i6 will out pull anything on the road. 4" of stroke, translates into TONS of bottom end grunt. This engine was designed to tow.

2 weeks ago I towed 20' flat deck trailer from Maple Ridge to Kelowna and back (about 1500 miles round trip). Coming back I was loaded down with about 5 tons of steel frame, we didn't top 60 mph on the way back. But she didn't burn much more fuel than the trip there... I think the truck handled better with a load than she does without.

edit: Side note, My father was driving the flat deck Chevy, with another 20' trailer loaded down with the same amount. When I got back tot he shipyard, he had to stop for gas more than me, he also didn't top 40 mph on the way back, and it took him an hour longer.

Ford: 4 spd Auto Trans
Chevy 5spd Manual.

[76silverado]

I like driving manual, but both my vehicles are auto.. I want a munce M21 or a Granny 4 sp in my truck, but for now I've got the th350. I'm keepin the C4 in the stang but I'm puttin a shift kit in it. Yeah fun...

[87c10slammer]

for the daily driver i prefer auto but for the toy i would prefer a stick.... my interga was a blast to race... even on the track i would chirp 3rd gear... and thats ina full interior street car... with slicks... some days a regret every taking it out that night... wish i would have takin the kia

[93Sierra]

Manual for towing, better sense of control, better fuel economy, and straight up gunnin' it. Auto for town.

During city driving, I wish mine had an auto, but on a long straight stretch with no cops...I love my manual

[Bulldawg]

I prefer manual.

[lukasmcdukas]

typically, i prefer manual transmission for the same reason most of you guys mentioned: more control. when it comes to towing, however, I want my transmission to be in gear at all times. also, theres a lot of hills where im from, and the last thing you want is to get stuck on a hill with a big load and have to ride that clutch like crazy to get moving. lastly, if im towing something, its nice to be able to pop it in park and get out without having to worry about setting the e brake every single time. call me lazy.

[Bulldawg]

Originally Posted by lukasmcdukas

typically, i prefer manual transmission for the same reason most of you guys mentioned: more control. when it comes to towing, however, I want my transmission to be in gear at all times. also, theres a lot of hills where im from, and the last thing you want is to get stuck on a hill with a big load and have to ride that clutch like crazy to get moving. lastly, if im towing something, its nice to be able to pop it in park and get out without having to worry about setting the e brake every single time. call me lazy.

I said I prefer a manual. But you sure do bring up some valid points about towing with an automatic.

[stumpuller454]

Maybe its just my F550 but the manual trans is horrible, auto all the way...no brains required!