commtrd

Not to start a flame war or anything here, but I have to wonder: if someone is going to be towing serious weight/loads, and also knows they will be needing an exhaust brake to get it done safely, and also knows that the auto transmission has not been approved for using said exhaust brake, then why would someone even consider an auto trans for use where it is clearly not the correct rig setup for the intended use?

The auto does not get fuel mileage as good as the 6-spd manual trans and the manual IS deemed OK for use with the exhaust brake. Seems like a no-brainer to me. (For serious towing) that is.

One other thing I noticed from looking at a lot of trucks on the lots...the vast majority of them are equipped with the 48RE. Almost none are to be found with the 6-spd manual. In my opinion, (which don't mean much) I cannot understand why someone would want an auto behind a Cummins HO engine. It is a given that at some point in time the auto is going to fail and it is going to cost big bucks to get it fixed. Why not just get the trans that is best suited to the intended usage of a heavy-duty diesel engine truck in the first place?

That being said, you guys that have an auto in your truck, drive/enjoy it...I was just curious about continually reading about the auto / exhaust brake thing over and over when DC has said repeatedly that it does not intend the auto to be used with the exhaust brake (at least not yet?) Are there any big OTR tractors [18 wheeler] out there that use auto transmissions?

GrandpasRam

To answer your question about OTR tractors with autos, yes, there are many out there with Jake Brakes. Allison makes an auto transmission for them that is guaranteed for life, and works very well, costs about 12K, and weighs about half what our trucks weigh. My brother is a leasing manager for a tractor leasing company, and most of his trucks are equipped with it - it holds up very well. Now to our size trucks - that kind of transmission just isn't there yet, but it is evolving and will one day not too long from now will be available. Cummins and DC are trying to make the EBrake compatible with the auto; was supposed to be available for the 03, but it looks like it will be closer to mid-'04 models before completed. HTH.

1Thom

commtrd,, well I will take a not intended to flame you to bad approach (nothing following is intended to be taken personally by you or any one else) Well your perspective is way to narrow as to the why and why nots of an auto over a six speed. I will list a couple of the points (and I am sure there are a lot more)
1. when I bought my 03 I was assured by dodge and the dealers that the 48re HO combo was exhaust brake compatible, they have since recanted and it becomes a warranty issue.
2. I can't use a six speed or should I say clutch, the left leg doesn't work.
3 the towing specks for the 48re and Ho say I can in fact handel some pretty heavy loads. at the end of the warranty period (mabey sooner if needed )I will install an exhaust brake and probably need to beef up the tranny and tourque converter as well. there is at least one of us pitiful auto drivers that deals with gcvw's of 30,000# or more and he is doing fine.
4. I have a neighbor that has essentially the same setup I have with a six shooter and we get about the same milage (within a mile on average, calulated by hand)and now he wishes he had the auto instead.
5 there are lots of good makes sense reasons for someone to justify the choice of one tranny over the other. The narrow I know everything that every one should do is the only way perspective doesn't take in the real world and the way it works at all (not intended as a personal flame here)
So just assume that we have our reasons and some of us put a great deal of thought and research into the choice and just might have a clue as to what we are doing. six shooters have a ball but I gotta keep my auto
Just my opinion and sticking to it

Dr. Evil

I have a 6 speed - don't believe anyone that tells you a 6 speed is "fun" to drive. Its not bad but if you do any commuting in rush hour, it will quickly lose its appeal.

Im not sure if this applies to the 2003's but with the 94-2002's the auto tranny can be made strong enough to take just about any HP or load that you can throw at it (Companies like DTT, Suncoast, ATS). Also, the manuals (5 or 6 speed) are much harder to find and command a higher resale value - therefore, an auto may be a sensible option. That way you can get what you want and have it work with an exhaust brake with no problems.

brillmtb

I will have to say that the honesty at this site is incredible. I mean it.

I would have gone with the 6 speed until I drove it. It was too much for me. I will never tow anything larger than my 24 foot artic fox at around 5000-6000 lbs. I dont think I will need an exhaust break or have not found so to date, I just take it out of OD or go into 3rd, with the trailer brakes this is fine. I would like the capability to use the Ebrake but can think of a million other things to put on my truck first.

The advantage of the auto as I see it is trading ease of driving for the potential of shorter tranny life. If it goes the reported 150K miles I will be happy and you wont hear me complaining about a rebuild. I got my truck for 35K, great for a loaded Laramine, so I guess I might have to spend a little more later in the trucks life and I will break even from what I have seen some pay for the same truck.

I have a feeling that the emjay controller or something like that which keeps the TC locked below 1500rpm is really all thats needed but I really dont know.

DF5152

my simple reason was bumper to bumper traffic and lots of it.

commtrd

Well there are some lucid and common-sense reasons for getting an auto...not being able to push on a clutch is a pretty good reason! I always thought the mileage with the manual transmission was like 2 to 4 mpg better but if that is not really true then maybe an auto would be a realistic alternative. I just would really hate it if I spent all that money on a new truck and then two years later I started having trouble with the tranny (I have known a couple of guys who had massive problems with their 47RE autos) and then I would be kicking myself for not getting the 6 spd in the first place. I could see where having to drive in rush hour stop-n-go traffic every day would drive a person nuts with a manual.

I may break down and drive a truck with an auto before I make up my mind but I have only had one truck with an auto before and it broke and I got p***** off with it but then again it was a cheby and that pretty much explains that...never again will I own a chevrolet product. Ever.

Anyway back to the auto...is the new 48RE proving to be really reliable and looking like it will last longer than 2 years without major heartache and pain in the checkbook? I suspect I will still end up with a 6 spd since manuals are almost the only thing I have ever owned and driven. Just what I feel most comfortable with and I would really like to keep the next truck until the wheels fall off of it. Plus my idea of heavy traffic is how many seagulls fly in front of my flats boat any given day while fishing the lower laguna madre...hehehe

TheMoose

Well I chose the 48RE auto because,
I'm towing 5000 lbs & maybe 2 times in the next 5 years I'll be towing over really big hills like the rockys.
It's also my daily driver & an auto is more comfortable to drive in traffic.
I'm 44 & enjoy an auto in daily driving, I leave the manuals for my toys (Race car, Buggy & Raptor ATV)
Yea I've had troubles with an auto before on my 97 Dakota but I did some research & from what I've heard the 48RE is a very strong tranny.

Yes big trucks have autos & trans brakes, The fire truck I drive has a Cummins M11 (370 HP & 1350 ft lbs tourque) & there is no truck that takes abuse like a fire truck (cold starts to WOT instantly in all kinds of weather, pto's running constantly, etc), Now like someone said the Allison trans in the fire truck is huge, I have never seen a trans that big before!!
The truck I drive is a 97 model (Pierce heavy rescue) & the trans has never caused any trouble.

Gunship Guy

I have the HO with the 48RE auto. Considered the manual for about 2 seconds because one was on the lot. My camper is 10,000 lbs...well within the tow limits of the automatic trans. It better last more than a couple years or I'll be very ******! I plan to keep this truck as long as it remains dependable. If after 150,000 I have to bolt in a new trans then that will be okay with me since I've never kept a truck nearly that long anyway. If I have her that long then she must be something special and I'll buy her whatever she needs!

I do a lot of stop and go driving every day. A manual would just be too much effort and would take the enjoyment out of my daily commute.

dodgedude361

COULDN`T HAVE SAID IT BETTER. i tow a 6,000 lb TT loaded. Thats still 10,000 below my tow limit.i pulled over the hills of PA, passing cars on the way up, man this truck LOVES to work.

And besides, Wifey would NEVER drive the six shooter. :-

Just my 0.02

javi

Remember that standard trasmissions also give trouble. And, what about having to change a clutch every 125 thousand miles or so?

spots

[quote author=dodgedude361

And besides, Wifey would NEVER drive the six shooter. :-

Just my 0.02
One of the reasons all my trucks have been standard. She won't drive it. Never hafta adjust the seat.. (naw just kidding )
I choose a standard for control when I am driving. (besides I like shifting even in stop and go traffic) I shift when I want with the load I am carrying. Not the computer. I hope the 48RE is a great trans for you auto guys, although I have my doubts. Ferd had a great tranny (C6) that they stuck an OD on and called it a E4OD. Something like 88% failure rate in the first 2 years for heavy applications. Eaton autoshifts are more popular in the heavy (class 8) trucks than the allisons. They are mostly medium duty. I know the guys who drive them do like them when they work. Hate them when they are in the shop ($$$) FWIW

brillmtb

More importantly the Auto allows you to do other things with your Wife? :-*