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04-07-2014, 05:08 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: south Kansas City area
Posts: 1,298
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Transmission: Manual vs Automatic
Does anyone pull their camper (particularly a fifth wheel) with a vehicle that has a manual transmission? We eventually want to move up to a fiver and I found a great deal on a new truck with a manual transmission. Just curious.
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Randy and Patty
2015 Sabre 33 CKTS-6 Platinum Edition
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2015 GMC Sierra 3500HD diesel dually
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04-07-2014, 05:38 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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tell us a little more about this new truck and how much you think your future 5th wheel might weight
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David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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04-07-2014, 07:08 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,428
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I pull my 5er with a manual transmission, what would you like to know?
It does just fIne, every now and then I get clumsy on the clutch and with all the hitch weight over the rear axle the front end will bounce. Just push the clutch, start over and go on about my business.
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Now-2014 Sierra 346RETS 5er BUB
Then-2002 Keystone Springdale 286RLDS TT
Nights camped in 2014-28, 2015-127, 2016-10
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04-07-2014, 07:50 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NEPA
Posts: 1,477
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I've been pulling my TT with my 6-speed Dodge and will be pulling my 5-er with it when it comes in. I love my manual transmissions, I don't own an automatic trans in my fleet (except DW's SUV, but that's HERS!) I love the engine braking, and couple that with the exhaust brake, I can stop my rig pretty effectively. Never had any issues.
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04-07-2014, 07:58 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Independence, Kansas
Posts: 755
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Some years back I pulled a travel trailer with a truck that had a manual transmission. Most of the time all was fine but occasionally some camping spots would require a lot of jockeying around to get into position. Then the clutch would overheat and you could smell it burning. If you plan to do much backing in tight spots I would go with an automatic.
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04-07-2014, 08:49 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: south Kansas City area
Posts: 1,298
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This is all early speculation but the fifth wheel would be 33 ft. (living space) and dry weight right at 12,000 lbs. The truck would be a Dodge 2500 diesel so there is plenty of truck there. Just was wondering how inconvenient it was using a manual over automatic; as far as if there was constant shifting. We look for pull throughs whenever possible but back in spots are the majority in Missouri State Parks.
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Randy and Patty
2015 Sabre 33 CKTS-6 Platinum Edition
Reese 16K Slider hitch
2015 GMC Sierra 3500HD diesel dually
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04-08-2014, 12:22 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old car
This is all early speculation but the fifth wheel would be 33 ft. (living space) and dry weight right at 12,000 lbs. The truck would be a Dodge 2500 diesel so there is plenty of truck there. Just was wondering how inconvenient it was using a manual over automatic; as far as if there was constant shifting. We look for pull throughs whenever possible but back in spots are the majority in Missouri State Parks.
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I've got a Dodge 2500 diesel with a six speed, nope, no constant shifting or anything of the sort. Just pulls pulls pulls. In sixth gear I can get down to 45ish and it just will roll away. I lose a little speed on the hills but I don't push it either, I could drop to fifth but it's no big deal to me.
Only time I wish I had an auto is traffic, but I know very few manual drivers that disagree with that. I personally like it, they're tough, old school and get the job done.
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Now-2014 Sierra 346RETS 5er BUB
Then-2002 Keystone Springdale 286RLDS TT
Nights camped in 2014-28, 2015-127, 2016-10
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04-08-2014, 03:36 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Palm Coast FL
Posts: 746
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The man trans will reduce your payload and towing cap. some and that is about it. 4x4 will reduce it more. You may not really have enough truck for that rig. You will be very close if not over on payload. I know I am w/RAM 2500. Looking for a 3500.
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'14 Ram 3500 MCSB 6.7L HO PullRite 16K S/G, Grey Columbus 320RS Camped '14 - 146 days/'15 - 196 days
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04-11-2014, 07:34 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 98
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I have a 06 2500 dodge with the 6 speed manual. No problems at all. As far as backing and the clutch getting hot ( never had that happen) I would just put mine in low range. Of course you have to have a 4 wheel drive for that. I pull a 38ft sabre 33 ckts that weighs a round 13000lbs loaded and my pin weight is 2700lbs. I do run air bags. I have towed it about 4000 miles so far with no issues. Oh and my truck is leveled running 35 inch tires.
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04-11-2014, 06:05 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NEPA
Posts: 1,477
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SKnight
I've got a Dodge 2500 diesel with a six speed, nope, no constant shifting or anything of the sort. Just pulls pulls pulls... I personally like it, they're tough, old school and get the job done.
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X2. I don't own an automatic transmission! . My friend's 3500 just crapped out his auto trans (again) and he decided to buy a new truck instead of fixing it again. Some day he'll learn and buy one with a third pedal...
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2015 XLR Hyperlite 30HFS5 (mods being performed regularly)
2009 Salem LA 292fkds (gone)
Nights- ('12)23 ('13)23 ('14)15 ('15)31 ('16)27 ('17) 20 (‘18)21 (‘19)23
2019 Honda CRV (camping support vehicle)
2014 Harley Davidson FLHX (XLR cargo)
2011 Ram 2500 CC 4X4 CTD, B&W Companion (toy hauler hauler)
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04-11-2014, 06:15 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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When I bought my SD I wanted an auto because I was tired of running a stick.
Two pedals = less complications.
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04-11-2014, 06:38 PM
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#12
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Mddle of the Rd Extremist
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 553
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To maximize your payload, you might want to look at auto 4x2...
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04-11-2014, 07:27 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 49
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What year Dodge Diesel? If it's a 08' up, the TurboBrake feature works great to slow the rig down.
As far as durability, a fully built Auto(proper build is essential) is actually stronger these days than a stick with any upgraded clutch...especially the 6 speed Dodge stick.
The only time you might regret a stick is being in traffic or slow maneuvering and getting started with the trailer.
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04-11-2014, 07:36 PM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 3,365
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Quote:
Originally Posted by comfun1
Some years back I pulled a travel trailer with a truck that had a manual transmission. Most of the time all was fine but occasionally some camping spots would require a lot of jockeying around to get into position. Then the clutch would overheat and you could smell it burning. If you plan to do much backing in tight spots I would go with an automatic.
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Also, in very hilly terrain, you may wind up up-shifting downhill, and down-shifting uphill (because yo can't hold your gear). That gets old fast. And, under that circumstance, you also cannot use your cruise control. Every time you push in the clutch, it disengages.
Don't need to hear about not using cruise control when towing. Do it all the time and it works fine.
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04-11-2014, 07:42 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 98
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Once I hit 6th gear I never have to down shift unless I hit slower traffic so cruise works fine if I want to use it.
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04-11-2014, 07:58 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SD
Posts: 441
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Not sure of the years but the automatic Dodge's have higher torque ratings. My 2012 auto is rated at 800 and the manual is like 660.
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2015 Sierra 357TRIP
2012 Ram 2500 CCSB 6.7CTD
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04-11-2014, 08:13 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 98
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Yea the newer ones you have to get a automatic to get the higher torque truck. I like my manual but my next one will probably a automatic. After sitting in traffic for three hours at the beach last year the manual was getting old. That's the only time I don't like it. Plus I'm running a south bend dual disk clutch.
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04-11-2014, 08:51 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 95
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I've had my powerstroke 5 speed since it was new in '97. The only time I ever regret a 5 speed is reversing with my 5'ver up a hill. It's 4wd so I shift it in 4Lo so I don't burn up the clutch.
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04-11-2014, 09:31 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
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[QUOTE=acadianbob;585533]Also, in very hilly terrain, you may wind up up-shifting downhill, and down-shifting uphill (because yo can't hold your gear). That gets old fast. And, under that circumstance, you also cannot use your cruise control. Every time you push in the clutch, it disengages.
??? When I use the clutch.... I expect my cruise to disengage.
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04-11-2014, 09:55 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acadianbob
Also, in very hilly terrain, you may wind up up-shifting downhill, and down-shifting uphill (because yo can't hold your gear). That gets old fast. And, under that circumstance, you also cannot use your cruise control. Every time you push in the clutch, it disengages.
Don't need to hear about not using cruise control when towing. Do it all the time and it works fine.
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Just a FYI, there's absolutely nothing wrong with cruise control and towing. Plenty of Commercial trucks use this and offer "driver incentive" programming in the ECM to promote it's use by drivers.
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