burlhall

I would like to hear from 06 owners who purchased the auto transmission and the Jake Exhaust Brake. I am considering trading in my 05 Ram on a new 06 to hopefully improve towing a heavy fifth-wheel camper (13,000 pounds) in the mountains. I have mixed feelings about trading in my 05 because overall it has done a good job and gets excellent fuel mileage. However, the transmission has more slippage than what I like when towing, especially when taking off up a hill from a stand-still. Also, we like to vacation in the mountains with our 5th wheel camper; therefore, I would like to have an exhaust brake. I can upgrade the trannie to reduce the slippage problem (ATS or DTT) but they do not have a controller that locks up the torque converter in 2nd gear. Therefore, the exhaust brake is only good down to about 35-40 miles per hour. If I am to spend that much money (approximately $5,000 to $6,000) on upgrades (trannie and exhaust brake), I would like the exhaust brake to lock up in 2nd gear and be good down to around 20 miles per hour. My only other option is to trade for an 06 Ram with the upgraded (?) 48re and an exhaust brake. But before I do that I would really like to hear from others that have an 06 with the 48re and an exhaust brake to see what their exerience has been in the mountains pulling a heavy (12,000+) trailer. Your comments and suggestions would be much appreciated.

Charles Darwin

After reading your post I remembered going through three transmissions pulling trailers. That is why I went for a 6 spd and 4.10 ratio. It has proved to be a great solution. I pull in the mountains. ALL AUTO TRANNYS WILL SLIP WHEN UNDER SUFFICIENT STRESS. Dodge puts a strong clutch in the 6spds expecting people to tow the max in the mountains and have no problems. I encourage you to check it out.

Charles

05 CTD SRW all stock, loaded. 36' 03 Holiday Rambler Presidential 5er, 15400 loaded lbs, Pullrite.

John Faughn

Sorry I do not have 06 , but for me I'ld go for the upgrade cheaper than getting a nother new truck , besides your happy with what you have [ with upgrades] but I'm not anywhere close to being in your situation of affording a new truck , I'ld like to think that if I was I'ld still want to not spend the money twice. But then your responsible for making yorself happy.

GrandpasRam

I did like Charles - got the manual transmission for better control. I like the G56 in my new '05, and I've had the exhaust brake (Jacobs) since I bought my '03 a few years ago. I wondered how I ever managed without it, and will always have one now for towing especially. Unless you just can't stand a manual, I'd give the manual 6 speed careful consideration, especially for heavy towing in the mountains, and definitely have the Ebrake on it.

rammtuff

Not what you really want to hear but I would also suggest the 6 spd trans. Can't beat a manual trans for control. This way you might be able to trade to another '05 and save a few bucks.

Larryb01

I am not an 06 owner but have an 05.I had a stedegy controller and Jake exhaust brake installed. The controller takes over the shift points of the tranny and has a selector switch to loc up tranny down to second or I can leave it in auto loc which will shift it normally and lock up when releasing trottle pressure this locks the TC which gives better exhaust braking.So far so good seems to work fine when pulling my 5th wheel.

burlhall

Thanks for all of the thoughtful replies. I realize that a manual transmission would be the best for towing but I'm not sure if I would like driving a manual when I'm not towing. I'll have to give it more consideration. I probably should test drive a manual to see how I like it. Several years ago, I wouldn't want anything other than a manual transmission. Who knows, I might really like driving them again.

LarryB01, I'm not familiar with the controller that you spoke of. Where can I get more information? Sounds like just the solution I was looking for.

Jeff in TD

I'm kind of in the same boat you are... Thinking of trading in for an 06 dually, and possibly getting a HEAVY 5er that will require 4.10's.

I like the stick shift I have now, but I'm not a big fan of the new G's lower high gear ratio, nor do I like the idea of a dual mass flywheel. The auto now has both a tow/haul mode that changes shift points, and a OD lockout, plus factory approved for Jake.

With the auto getting better, and the stick shift taking a back slide, my next truck may be an auto...

Would like to hear from someone who actually has an 06 auto, and tows heavy with it...

puller

We have a 2006 3500 dually CTD with auto tranny and a Jake brake installed. From what I understand the transmission works differently than the previous years(this is my first Dodge). The 06 tranny has a switch on the gear shift and when you push the button 1 time it is in tow/haul mode push it again and it is out of overdrive mode. When you pull the Jake brake button it starts down shifting right away. I have not pulled our trailer very much but when I have it seems to work just GREAT, you hardly have to hit the foot brake at all.

Puller

Jeff in TD

Puller,

Glad you posted. Please tell us more IE how much does your trailer weigh, and have you run it down any long 8 or 9% grades?

underwoodtransp

I would also like to hear about this controller you were talking about. I am considering upgrading my tranny to handle the e-brake and having one put in. But with the miles I put on a new truck for the third year in a row is not an option. I only went for a new one this year because my butt was getting sore from the reaming I was taking on a weekly basis from the ford dealer. I would rather spend $4-5000. on upgrades than spend $20k for a new truck. then I have to start all over with the mods again.

CoastalDav

Looking at the 06's. I want a six speed manual like I have now. I don't like the fact its a Getrag in an aluminum case. So as hard as it is for me to say, I'm interested in the conversation surrounding the new 06 auto tranny. It would have to be a 4:10 rear if it was an auto.

I'm listening.

Dave

cali-600

You should give ATS a call at talk to Darren or the owner Clint. I just had a stage 5 installed in my 2004.5 auto and it has second gear lock up. With the commander or co-polit you can run lock up down to 8mph.

puller

Our trailer weighs about 12,500 lbs. and the total for both trailer and truck goes for 22,400 according to the recent visit the the CAT scales. To date I have not ventured into the mountains and tried any 6% or greater grades. I do not forsee any problems in doing so given the way the truck handles the load now.

Puller

burlhall

Cali-600, I already talked to ATS before beginning this thread. From what I was told ATS does not presently offer a commander for the 05 48re that will lock up in 2nd gear. I believe they said a commander such as you describe might be offered in the future but currently is not available for the 05. I was told it hopefully would be available in a month or two but it sounded rather tentative. If such a commander were available, I would like to upgrade my transmission with an ATS torque converter, valve body, front input shaft, and commander. I was also going to install a Pacbrake. Now I'm not sure what I'll do. It seems that my choices are to either buy a new 06 or to wait and see if ATS comes out with a new commander.