golfman
Sanger CA
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donn0128 wrote:Generally speaking standard transmissions have a lower towing rating than automatics. this is because the weak ling in a standard is the clutch. If that is what you prefer driving, then by all means get one. Just be sure it's towing rating is up to the task.
What?? I always thought that the reason all the big diesels were manual is because the manual transmissions were much stronger than automatics! Have I been wrong all these years?
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Bucky Badger
Madison, WI
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Think of your daily drive with the vehicle also. Rush hour or traffic jams are no fun with a manual.
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Caddywhompus
Southeast WI
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golfman wrote:donn0128 wrote:Generally speaking standard transmissions have a lower towing rating than automatics. this is because the weak ling in a standard is the clutch. If that is what you prefer driving, then by all means get one. Just be sure it's towing rating is up to the task.
What?? I always thought that the reason all the big diesels were manual is because the manual transmissions were much stronger than automatics! Have I been wrong all these years? Nope, you are correct. That statement about manuals having low tow rating is a blanket statement that isn't entirely true. Sometimes Automatics have higher ratings, and sometimes manuals do. If following the tow rating to the letter is important to you, then you need to examine each and every vehicle and compare auto/manual ratings individually.
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Caddywhompus
Southeast WI
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Bucky Badger wrote:Think of your daily drive with the vehicle also. Rush hour or traffic jams are no fun with a manual. I see this argument all the time, but it just plain isn't that big of an issue. Generally when I get stuck in traffic, I just drop to 1st or 2nd gear and idle along fairly smoothly, rarely ever touching the clutch. I see all the rest of the cars brake lights every 10 seconds, but I can idle in 1st gear at about 2mph and generally that is slow enough that I DON'T have to jab the clutch and/or brake every 10 seconds like the rest of the monkeys.
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mr. ed
Madison, SD (currently traveling the US)
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donn0128 wrote:Generally speaking standard transmissions have a lower towing rating than automatics. This is because the weak link in a standard is the clutch. If that is what you prefer driving, then by all means get one. Just be sure it's towing rating is up to the task.
When the original clutch wears out an aftermarket heavier duty one can be installed. I'm considering this for my truck when the time comes. That will effectively eliminate the "weak link" in the drivetrain.
BTW, don't do what I did a few weeks ago. I was backing my fiver into a campsite and didn't pay attention to a squeaking noise which I never heard before. I exited the truck in order to explore what was causing the noise. I noticed a bad smell coming through the front wheel wells. I thought it was just the engine getting a little hot but then observed that I had left the emergency brake on! These diesels have so much torque I didn't even notice the drag! I probably took a few thousand miles out of the life of my clutch  .
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brownja
connecticut
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The only problem with a stick-shift is finding one.
They aren't available at all on a lot of models and require a special order on others.
If you walk into a dealer and ask if he has stick-shifts on the lot, he'll look at you like you have three heads.
Good luck, if more people express an interest in manuals, maybe they will become easier to find.
+1 on Caddywhumpus' comments. In 99% of the traffic I encounter, my manual is easier to control than an automatic.
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The HitchHikers
Gold Bar, WA
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On my model truck the auto has a an additional 200 lbs of tow capacity. This is close to the difference in the weight of the transmissions with the manual being the heavier with a cast iron case.
I also use first or second in rush hour traffic/traffic jams. I rarely touch my brakes in these situations. I commute fourteen miles to work with speeds ranging from 25 mph to 55 mph and five stop lights on that route, there are days (very rarely) that I never touch my brakes from the time I get on the road until I am in the parking lot at work. This is not possible with an auto as I have tried it with my previous TV.
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Bucky Badger
Madison, WI
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Caddywhompus wrote:Bucky Badger wrote:Think of your daily drive with the vehicle also. Rush hour or traffic jams are no fun with a manual. I see this argument all the time, but it just plain isn't that big of an issue. Generally when I get stuck in traffic, I just drop to 1st or 2nd gear and idle along fairly smoothly, rarely ever touching the clutch. I see all the rest of the cars brake lights every 10 seconds, but I can idle in 1st gear at about 2mph and generally that is slow enough that I DON'T have to jab the clutch and/or brake every 10 seconds like the rest of the monkeys.
That doesn't work here on the beltline. If you leave an in you will be going backwards. I had 3 Rangers that were stick. Living in the city I will never own one again.
Everyone has a different opinion on what's best for their comfort and use.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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golfman wrote:donn0128 wrote:Generally speaking standard transmissions have a lower towing rating than automatics. this is because the weak ling in a standard is the clutch. If that is what you prefer driving, then by all means get one. Just be sure it's towing rating is up to the task.
What?? I always thought that the reason all the big diesels were manual is because the manual transmissions were much stronger than automatics! Have I been wrong all these years?
Notice that I said that "generally speaking" It might be true that the manual transmission is stronger, however the clutch as someone else pointed out is the weak link. It is probably almost a moot point anyhow as you cannot get a stick behind a Duramax, Not sure about a Ford, so the only stick transmission behind a diesel might be in a Dodge behind the Cummins. and there are lots of complaints about the stock clutches being really junk. Oh and I do not believe there has been a cast iron transmission cast in a consumer pickup for probably close to 10 years now.
Donn
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surveyorjp
Missouri
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Bucky Badger wrote:Caddywhompus wrote:Bucky Badger wrote:Think of your daily drive with the vehicle also. Rush hour or traffic jams are no fun with a manual. I see this argument all the time, but it just plain isn't that big of an issue. Generally when I get stuck in traffic, I just drop to 1st or 2nd gear and idle along fairly smoothly, rarely ever touching the clutch. I see all the rest of the cars brake lights every 10 seconds, but I can idle in 1st gear at about 2mph and generally that is slow enough that I DON'T have to jab the clutch and/or brake every 10 seconds like the rest of the monkeys.
That doesn't work here on the beltline. If you leave an in you will be going backwards. I had 3 Rangers that were stick. Living in the city I will never own one again.
Everyone has a different opinion on what's best for their comfort and use.
Agreed. Stop and go here in the hills is often more stop than go. You WILL have to stop at some point. While manual transmissions are my preference, even I realize that automatics have advantages especially when commuting.
My wife's Neon is a 5 speed stick. She has been driving the car for over 3 years now, and has decided her next car will be an automatic. She is simply tired of shifting gears.
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