wilber1
Abbotsford B.C. Canada
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Joined: 12/16/2002
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Double post.
"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice" WSC
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Wildwilly101
Central PA
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Joined: 01/31/2006
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Quote:Fine engineering, and intricate machinery, and computers are great, right up until they fail. Then you better grab your wallet.
Simple, non-computerized mechanicals such as manual transmissions have their place as well, and are often cheaper to fix.
It's all about efficiently and safely managing the power to the wheels. The automatics will do a better job than a manual every day, all day. Ever wonder why they reduce power on the trucks with the manual trannys? On the Cummins 6.7 the power is reduced from 650 to 610 ftlbs. They will not sell the new 800 ftlb trucks with a manual, at least not yet.
Now, of course it is a personal preference to use a manual transmission or an automatic, I've used both and it has nothing to do with being lazy. My points are this;
1. There are people who responded to this thread who do not have the same rig as the OP and are giving advice on how to drive his truck.
2. There are people who responded to this tread who are giving erroneous information based on uninformed, unsubstantiated beliefs that they can out perform a computer controlled system designed to deliver maximum performance under all conditions. If that were true then there is no need for CNC machines, robotics, PLC controlled manufacturing, etc, etc.
3. When was the last time you paid to have a manual tranny repaired? I believe you would be horrified to find what it cost to rebuild a gearbox. I have vendors rebuilding them for industrial applications and a simple single speed reducer the size of a microwave oven costs average $6K to repair. I can hear the responses in the distance saying "they don't fail". If only that were true...
4. The best advice to the OP is to Learn to Use it as it was Intended to be used by design. It will take some miles to learn proper throttle control and technique with T/H and the E-Brake system. Use them both together as designed in hills and on flat roads, learn the system. There may be times when a manual downshift is necessary when descending, you have that option available to you. I can hear the responses in the distance saying "I didn't have to do that with my manual". Actually you did, it is now second nature to you at this point.
5. To protect your investment in your rig, use it as it was intended and designed to be used. If you decide you don't like the way it works, then maybe a manual tranny was a better choice for you. Using it outside it's design parameters is not good for any machine.
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coolbreeze01
Redding, Ca
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Joined: 08/24/2006
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Wildwilly101 wrote:
"2. There are people who responded to this tread who are giving erroneous information based on uninformed, unsubstantiated beliefs that they can out perform a computer controlled system designed to deliver maximum performance under all conditions. If that were true then there is no need for CNC machines, robotics, PLC controlled manufacturing, etc, etc."
Actually, the toggle shift is for advanced hands on drivers 
2008 Dodge 3500 CTD LB SRW 4X4 6-Speed Auto
Prodigy P3, Blue Ox Sway Pro, 225 75R 15E Maxxis
2007 Komfort 212
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camping man
Central Fla.
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Joined: 09/01/2001
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Glad I have a 6spd manual, all this automatic confusion is giving me a headache.
05 Dodge CTD NV5600 6speed / 97 Sprinter 5er
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45Ricochet
North Idaho
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Guess that's why OTR rigs have automatics, to manage all THEIR torque.
06 Dodge 3500 CC LB Laramie 4x4 Dually 5.9 Cummins 325/610 48RE Jacobs brake Smarty Jr
GVWR 12,200 Payload 4580
06 Grand Junction 34' High profile 15500 GVWR 3200 pin Mor/ryde 5500 Onan genny Dual A/C
27' Hallett 502, 500HP
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wilber1
Abbotsford B.C. Canada
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Tow Haul is a good system and works as intended but it can't read your mind all the time. There may be times when you don't want it to shift down because you are trying to coast to maintain or build up momentum. So turn it and the EB off till you are done, then turn them back on. Instead of *****ing about tow haul, find out how it works and use its features to work for you. Pushing two little switches once and a while ain't that difficult.
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Wildwilly101
Central PA
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Quote:Glad I have a 6spd manual, all this automatic confusion is giving me a headache.
How true 
Quote:Guess that's why OTR rigs have automatics, to manage all THEIR torque.
Many of the better ones do. But more importantly they have huge drive trains that can handle the task without any concern whatsoever.
Quote:Instead of *****ing about tow haul, find out how it works and use its features to work for you. Pushing two little switches once and a while ain't that difficult.
The exact point I was trying to make, learn how to use it, and stop taking advice from self taught geniuses who have never driven the same rig.
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coolbreeze01
Redding, Ca
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"Guess that's why OTR rigs have automatics, to manage all THEIR torque."
No kidding. Autos have improved since the early Allison's in heavy applications, but so have manuals since the early "square" geared 4 and 5 speeds. Drive what you are like and like what you drive 
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jmtandem
western nevada
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Joined: 01/18/2006
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Quote:2. There are people who responded to this tread who are giving erroneous information based on uninformed, unsubstantiated beliefs that they can out perform a computer controlled system designed to deliver maximum performance under all conditions. If that were true then there is no need for CNC machines, robotics, PLC controlled manufacturing, etc, etc.
I am not interested in being arugmentative. Having said that, I offer a contrasting opinion that is just as valid that tends to refute the veracity of your quote. You reference to CNC makes no sense nor do I see how it fits into the OP's question about driving with tow/haul on or off. But, since you brought it up I will follow your logic and provide feedback that counters the premium put on computer made stuff in a different light. If I recall, Hinkely sailboats are the best made in America and are totally handmade. Handmade bicycles always bring a premium and are sought after and considered far better quality than machine made bikes. Houses are hand made. In fact, in America virtually anything from clocks to shoes to clothing that is handmade implys that it is a cut or more better than the cookie cutter machine made stuff. Do you really want to go to a concert and listen to computer generated music, or go to an art gallery and view computer generated paintings? Or attend a university class taught by a computer? I don't. Computers might be good in many areas but certainly not for everything. Your CNC, robotics and PLC controlled manufacturing argument actually supports the fact that a well driven manual transmission could be better (not worse) in the realm of towing than an automatic and, in the past, manuals always seemed to 'beat out' automatics in one important category -- fuel mileage. (Since you did not cite any parameters in your overall response implying the auto being better in every situation, maybe fuel mileage was not one of the parameters that you were thinking about, yet it is very important to most drivers.) For the manufacturer's to provide the computer controlled auto tranny with manual override features that allow the driver to shift as he/she sees fit for the need also clearly supports the manufacturer's recognation that the auto cannot be all things to every kind of driving all the time as you tried to state; or there would be no need for manual imputs.
I am confident that the auto is the best choice for those who are not well honed in the use of manual transmissions for towing. However, there are some that cut their teeth on manuals and clearly understand the diesel engine's torque 'sweet spot' that could excell over every parameter the auto can provide especially in the mountains. The auto cannot see the road ahead like the manual driver can, therefore it is at a great disadvantage in anticipating what is coming. That is the realm of the manual driver or the manual auto override tranny shift feature.
* This post was
edited 01/01/12 08:39pm by jmtandem *
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed airbags overload springs bumpers
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