I tow once a month (8000# TH, tag pull). Live in Oklahoma, so the hills aren't too bad. I know i want a MegaCab, but I really don't know if i want a 2500/3500 or an automatic/6spd? If you guys were in my shoes, what would you do? I use the truck mainly for driving back and forth to work everyday (15 miles one way).

thanks,

Kelly

 

Towing 8K behind any 2500/3500 isn't really much of a problem. It also depends a lot on how far you are going and at what speed. For higher speeds and longer distances I'd opt for the biggest truck you can afford. I'm pulling up to 15K behind the dually @65 mph or so with no problems. Maybe need to shift on the worst hills around here. 8K is no shift on the highway unless I'm doggin it. It's a bigger truck (but not huge) to drive around town but worth it for the stability and safety on the long haul, but then I always opt for a little overkill.

As for the tranny, get the 6 speed, sure you gotta shift but YOU get to pick the gear. I can see a hill coming and choose my gears, that tin box can't do the same. While some will knock the 6 speed you hear a lot more about autos burning up. It may make little difference on the highway but on back roads the auto is always shifting. That's why I got the manual this time. Test drive both of you can.

Good luck!
Scott

 

I used to drive nothing but manual/standard trannies, then got my first automatic and swore that i would never go back to a manual!

I do like the thought of a manual, but don't know if i can give up the convienence (sp) of an auto!

 

3500. Auto if you are commuting more than towing, 6 speed if you are towing more than commuting.

 

I pull a 36-foot 5th Wheel. I bought the MegaCab, automatic, single rear tires, because I'm driving it to work every day. It's easier to park. With the 3.73 rearend, the engine turns less rpms running around town, and it still pulls my 5th Wheel with no problems even in the mountains.

 

I tow my travel trailer behind my 2006 3500 Megacab SRW with auto tranny, and haul a 1200-lb golf cart in the bed at the same time. I have zero complaints. No problems moving this load, which totals about 18,000 lbs gross (truck, trailer, cart, passengers).

 

You can never have too much truck. Get the 3500 if price is not an issue. You can live with the 2500 for what you indicated, but the day always comes when you want to tow more.
Automatics with load= heat= ongoing rebuilt trannies or upgardes.
Get the 6 speed. Those who tow Med. to Heavy with auto almost always burn up a tranny before 100k.
Nothing beats a dually for stability towing. Duallies also just look tough.
Nuff said.

 

[QUOTE=supr;1231273]You can never have too much truck. Get the 3500 if price is not an issue.QUOTE]
good post!!! i have been where my wife wants and then buys more trailer than what we have for truck, and that is exspensive to fix!! (lmao= new truck) so if your means allows go big, so if your tailer needs change you wont have truck issues like i did.

 

if i had bought an auto, it would have already melted down. I would only get a manual in a heavy duty truck if I was going to use it for towing. Sure, I ruined my factory clutch, but my $700 southbend is a whole lot cheaper than a $4k ATS or BD trans.

If you arent planning to drag race it, get the stick.

I also find that i really dont have to shift that much. Once i run up through the gears, i stay there unless someone slow is in front of me. And a manual is cheaper/easier to install an exhaust brake on.

 

if you dont need to tow heavy or you tow every once in a while just go with the 2500 and put the extra money you saved into making her prettier.

 

Hand-shakers all the way!

 

From what you said you need the truck for.. Get the 2500 with the 48re.
I have about the same situation as you and that is what I did.

 

I delivered RVs across the mountains in TN and WV with an '04 dually with an automatic . Over 98,000 miles and no problems . Then after the price of fuel began to climb and Bennett went over 8 months without giving contractors a fuel surcharge increase I quit playing the fool and went back to driving a big truck .