Houston

I've got to buy a new vehicle for work and it looks live I've settled on a 2010 Dodge Cummins 3500 dually. I'd like opinions on whether I should get a manual transmission or an automatic. My local dealer has one of each with the automatic also having the U-connect. The auto is about $2K more.

I'll have to trade every three years per the requirements of our vehicle program. Most of my driving will be mixed highway and town (70/30) with several trips throughout the year pulling trailers in the range of 15,000 pounds. I'll average about 50,000 miles per year. I don't mind shifting, and I don't mind not shifting.

I read through all the posts in this forum and it looks like folks are pleased with the towing capabilities of the automatic. Since I've got to trade every three years, I'm wondering which will have better resale and/or trade value, and which will give me better fuel mileage?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Jim W

Hi, I do not own a 2010, but I do have a 2008 Mega Cab 2500HD with the auto. I have not had any issues with my truck combination at all and would buy an Auto again.
Now for your information, I would look at this web site to make up your mind if you want to buy a Auto or Stick. http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2010/intro.pdf
When you dive down through the Icons to find out your information. You will see that a 3500HD, DRW truck with a 6 spd Auto and 4:10 gears will tow more then a 6 spd stick with 3:73 gears of the same configuration. The auto will tow at least 3K more then the stick.
Jim

converteddzlr

I'll put in my nose and say that the Auto would be the way to go for me. It will pull more and as for resale it depends on what the majority of the local market wants or typically drives ... there seems to be fewer people driving sticks nowadays. I like to drive standards but the stick gets in the way of my kids knees and I can get any of my colleagues to drive the truck without them having to be capable of rowing. I'll be picking up my new '10 dually this weekend and with the new layouts you can't go wrong either way.

klx650a2

I've been a fan of the manual tranny, but the 6 speed auto is VERY nice. Its always in the right gear and works well.

walks

Love the auto, never had an issue with it. Always seems to be in the right gear while towing.

67guzzler

I have the auto and it's great. My last 4 trucks were all stick. Liked those too. This 68rfe is a nice tranny tho....

Apache1

Auto

RAMRODD

My 2010 has a auto with 3.73 gears 6th gear is usless towing even a 6000 pound empty trailer it will down shift on every hill even in manual mode. Now in 5th gear with a load it will hold good you can be going 70 and you can slow down to 58 on a hill before it will downshift to 4th on a hill. I pulled a heavy load across a soft field and the transmission got a little hot in 4 low locked in first gear. I was told by a member here the TC doesn't lock in first gear so mabey that was why it got a little hot.

I miss the manual for heavy towing I don't know why the auto gets a higher tow rating when the manual actually does a better job for towing. It probably has something to do with the DM clutch.
The 68rfe is the best auto I have ever seen in a pickup not as smooth as a allison or torqushift but I think that is because in locks into gear faster with less slippage so I think that is a good thing.

67guzzler

I agree with Ramrodd. The only thought I have to add is that the 68rfe is a double OD transmission and 6th is .63 OD. It's really really a steep gear. 5th is also OD -- it's .82. 4th gear is 1:1. SO if you're towing heavy, you can set the range select to 5th gear and still have some overdrive efficiency. I think 6th is best suited for running light and fuel economy on the highway... Think of it as a nice 5 speed mild overdrive when towing heavy. Just my view anyway...

Info on the 68RFE: 68RFE TRANSMISSION — ASK THE ENGINEER.

DirtEater

Thanks for posting the tech link on the 68RFE. Good reading.

67guzzler

No problem. I thought it was interesting too!

hammerjammer

Automatic.Stick shifts are dinosaurs. Reverse in the G56 is useless for backing with a heavy loaded trailer.

67guzzler

I agree with hammerjammer -- one other thing about the automatic -- the backup ratio is really nice and low in this thing. It's quite surprising.

DirtEater

The reverse ratio threw me off right from the beginning. It's so much different feeling than the 48RE, I thought something wasn't quite right with it. It's like you have to keep your foot in the go pedal longer when backing out the driveway. I think I've adjusted now though.

Mike Holmen

I'm pretty impressed so far with my auto. I have the black maxx TCM program for mine. It does a nice job of fixing the 4-5-6 shuffel. Towing hard to beat the automatic. The exhaust brake and tow haul mode make braking very nice.