Opinions on hauling with a manual truck? Update - We bought it!

[costco_muffins]

SO and I are in the market for a truck. Found a F250, super duty, manual V10. Will only be hauling a 2-3 horse trailer, within truck's capacity. Have access to a F350 diesel for longer hauls and hauls over mountains.

Any thoughts on hauling with a truck with a manual vs. automatic transmission?

[spacehorse]

I also had this decision to make. I picked the automatic, and I am very glad I did.

Although an auto will run through a transmission faster (probably), I think it is worth the comfort of my load to go with an auto. I can't see mileage being a huge plus or minus either way.

This coming from a person who LOVES driving a 5 speed.

Probably not much help, but I was also in the same position once!

[Ajierene]

I have heard, from people who should know about these things, that manual transmission is harder on the engine, in a hauling scenario.

Automatic is better.

That being said - if it is a great deal, go for it! Just be careful about hauling, related to gear shifting and the like.

[GoForAGallop]

Well, here's an opposing viewpoint, to make your life harder! :lol:

I'm not the tower in the family, but here's what I've heard from my father:

He's driven all sorts of big trucks/tractors, living on a farm. Almost every big box truck you find is a manual. When he started towing with our diesel Suburban (automatic) the first thing he said, while chugging up a hill, is that he wished it was a manual. It's nice to be able to force the truck to work a little bit harder/give more power, than just relying on the automatic transmission to make the decision.

Of course, different strokes for different folks. If you're not comfortable driving a manual, or you're going to be doing lots of stop and go stuff, or it's all flat land around you...then just go with the automatic. If you think you'd prefer the manual, pick the manual. (And, on the upside, I'll bet that it's cheaper.)

Ultimately, it's going to come down to your own personal decision/feelings/gut instinct. For every person you find who loves hauling with their automatic, you're going to find someone who will only haul with a manual.

[costco_muffins]

Thanks for the input! The deal is screaming... which makes it very tempting. Carfax checked out and we can have it sent to a local mechanic to check it out.

The biggest con in my mind is that I might haul with someone who cannot drive a manual and cannot drive to get help if I am incapacitated or cannot operate the truck for some reason.

Our other car is a manual and I love it. Hmm...

Any other thoughts?

[omare]

I've only towed with a Ford F150 manual and the only dicey times are when you are stopped on a hill and have to get going again (always it seems with some body pulled right up seemingly under your trailgate ;-}--but with a V10 you probalby will not even notice that you have anything hooked to the back! Good luck and have fun with it!

[costco_muffins]

I've only towed with a Ford F150 manual and the only dicey times are when you are stopped on a hill and have to get going again (always it seems with some body pulled right up seemingly under your trailgate ;-}--but with a V10 you probalby will not even notice that you have anything hooked to the back! Good luck and have fun with it!

This was the exact sentiment echoed by my Godparents. Primary hauling route involves no stopping on hills. However, we are in the PNW, so hills are unavoidable.

[Grataan]

I prefer a manual. Infact, I INSIST on it for my horses (I can be OCD about them) I don't have trouble with hills but I grew up driving a manual with a huge trailer attached (haying) so I'm pretty used to stopping and starting. I hauled water (3000 gal tender) with an automatic a few times-until the tranny blew up and I nearly didn't make it off the mountain :eek:

[Foxtrot's]

My F250 diesel is manual. In twenty years and 330,000 km we have replaced the clutch once and it is on its original transmission. It has been just fine and it has hauled me all over BC, loaded. Once I had a load of hay and the road out of the farm was so steep I had to go up in first gear - first time I have ever needed that gear to pull weight! Once you get used to it it is a piece of cake. As for being incapacitated at any time - there is such a slim chance that will happen I'd discount it. There is always someone who can still drive a manual. Go for the deal if you don't have to do downtown rush hour traffic every day.
That is why it is such a good deal, nobody wants 'em. I think they are great.

[Iron Horse Farm]

I have heard, from people who should know about these things, that manual transmission is harder on the engine, in a hauling scenario.

Automatic is better.

That being said - if it is a great deal, go for it! Just be careful about hauling, related to gear shifting and the like.

Uuh, no. This is why ALL "big rigs" are manuals! They haul better! You can kill a transmission hauling, but rarely a clutch.

We got an incredible deal on a Ford F350 SuperCab dually diesel because it was a stick. It replaced our older Ford F350 Dually diesel that was a stick!

Hubby works on vehicles as a second job, we haven't had an automatic around here in years. :cool:

[monstrpony]

I bought my diesel back when they were becoming more main-stream, and didn't have the confidence that the mfgs had worked out the bugs of mating a diesel with the automatics that were available. So, I got a 5-spd. I love it, feel it gives me more control. I shift very carefully when I'm towing, really pay attention to rpms and speed, and I believe that I can shift as smoothly if not more so than an automatic. Granny low takes care of the starting-on-hills situations just fine (and I live in western NC, in the mountains--granted, not the Rockies, but steep is steep).

That said, of all of my friends with similar trucks, most of whom got automatics, I'm the only one who's had to have transmission work, so far, but I still have questions in my mind about the diagnosis.

I also hauled with a friend's V-10 once, a six-speed, and it was very satisfactory. Of course, after driving my diesel and getting used to shifting off of my ear, I found it difficult to figure out when to shift. But I'm sure that's not a problem when you get used to it; I pretty much had it sorted out by the end of the weekend.

[War Admiral]

I just bought my first truck and I would give anything if I had stuck to my gut instinct and kept looking for a manual. :( I'm hating the auto transmission for all the reasons that have already been stated - most notably the Lack. Of. Control. It REALLY scares me.

I would JUMP on that deal if I were you!

[kookicat]

My truck is a manual and I love it. I've only driven a automatic a few times, and I hated it! I felt like I had less control over the car.

[KitKat987]

I'd say it mostly depends on your driving skills. If it were me, I would prefer to haul horses with a diesel manual rather than gas manual. They're easier to stop/start on hills because of how you use the clutch. I was a semi driver with an interesting job description (a lot of time 'off' road) for a number of years and there are a lot of tricks that'll get you out of sticky situations that just wouldn't work in a gas. I'd personally just not feel nearly as 'safe' driving a gas manual truck and hauling something precious at the same time. But that could be paranoia because I have been in more than my fair share of scary/tricky spots with trucks. But with a gas truck, I'd much rather have an automatic.

[Nipntuck]

Have a 6 speed Chevy Duramax I got a good deal on used. I've hauled in the NC mountains as well with no problems. It is definitely a stiffer shift than your car, but I got used to it pretty quickly and have no regrets. I got a great truck that'll pull anything I want. I also grew up driving a manual Austin Healy Sprite, so I Love automatics.

That said, the horses probably would get a slightly smoother ride with an automatic, but it's not that much difference. I sometimes miss 3rd for 5th ~ I guess the layout is a bit tight due to so many gears. That 1st "granny" gear is great for starting up a hill fully loaded.

[shakeytails]

I think most people that know a lot about trucks and hauling prefer a manual transmission. My truck is automatic, because it was a good deal and I prefer automatic when I'm hauling, especially in stop and go traffic or backing up. I love a 5-speed car, though. Manual transmissions generally have better fuel economy, and it's a whole lot cheaper to replace a clutch than a transmission.

[Guilherme]

If you know how to effectively drive a manual tranny then there's no real problem. IIRC the towing capacity of some engine-tranny combinations is reduced if the tranny is a manual. Go to the Trailer Life website and download their Towing Guide for the year in question. It will tell you what the capacity is with a manual (vs. an auto).

Some folks claim better milage with a manual (and with a thirsty beast like the Ford V-10 that's a Very Good Thing ;) ). I suspect any milage gains will be more the result of driving technique than the tranny itself.

Good luck in your decision. :)

G.

[spook1]

Hi
I have a F250 diesel manul trans. and feel much more confident in hauling. I went with a friend to a ride once who had a auto. It really strained on the hills.

So I would vote for the manuel for hauling. After all the big rigs that haul really really heavy loads are manual trans.

[Beverley]

I much prefer manual for hauling. Well, truth to tell, I prefer manual, period (my commuting car is a cute lil 5 speed Mustang). The auto dealers of course recommend automatic, for two reasons- obviously that's better/safer if one doesn't know how to drive a manual transmission, plus, they'll be able to sell you a new tranny sooner.:)

My current truck- F250- is an automatic, 175k miles, 11 years old. 'Twas such a good deal when we bought it (used, in 2000) that I went with it even though I prefer manual. It's doing fine- but then I also take the trouble to use the transmission manually, frequently, for safer hauling and to reduce wear and tear. Which is to say- things like turning off the automatic overdrive when appropriate, and manually downshifting to lower gears for mountain downhill grades (thus saving lots of wear on the brakes, too).

[Bluey]

My right shoulder is out of commission and boy, am I glad that my pickup is automatic.:)
If I had to shift gears all the time, I would not be able to do much driving at all.:(
I have been driving the tractor some and that little bit of gear shifting was not good.

We can't compare big trucks and their demands on engines with smaller pickups.

With all the very good information you have here already, I think it is a washout what you get, look at other you also like on those trucks than just if automatic or manual.:yes:

[Trakehner]

It all depends.

Big rigs use manuals for a very simple reason...gears. From super low to start off to highway gears...you don't find automatic transmissions with all the gears a tractor-trailer needs.

Medium stuff (think delivery and Ryder rental trucks)...lots of automatics.

You can tow more with an automatic transmission than with a standard.

Diesel engines are rated better with automatics due to the fast shifting of the transmission and the low RPMs these engines work at.

I like standard transmissions...have a sports car and a horse van--both gas engine powered (hi-lo gearing and lots of speeds).

My 1-ton diesel dually...automatic with an exhaust brake factory installed. Life is good and it tows my 24' trailer beautifully. When I'm hauling, one less thing to worry about and making it a smoother trip for the beasts in back make an auto transmission my choice.

[saje]

I prefer manual. I have an F-250 diesel manual, love it! Maybe auto transmissions have gotten better about shifting smoothly, but I still think I can shift more smoothly manual than many auto trannys.

I also fell like I have better control in 'tough' hauling conditions.

[lwk]

I have a 3/4 ton Dodge HO Cummins with 6-speed manual. I had a pretty big learninug curve since I was not really comfortable with a manual before. But I am now. I think it is as smooth as an automatic, with better control in adverse circumstances.
And that first gear is LOW. It never stalls. I have accidentallyl started in third, with two big horses in GN trailer, and it just rumbles a bit and keeps on going. I think it could pull my house.

[Guilherme]

Hi
I have a F250 diesel manul trans. and feel much more confident in hauling. I went with a friend to a ride once who had a auto. It really strained on the hills.

So I would vote for the manuel for hauling. After all the big rigs that haul really really heavy loads are manual trans.

Well, semis do not exclusively use manual trannys. The AutoShift (a semi-auto tranny) has been around for more than a decade. The Ultrashift and Freedomline (full automated trannys) have been around for about a decade. Volvo has introduced a tranny with a function that predicts road conditions (turns, grades, etc.) and compensates for them (can't remember whether is uses on board radar or GPS). Some research within the industry says that the automated transmissions can beat the milage numbers in a manual; the suspected reason is that a driver must be always "on his toes" to keep up with road changes where the automated system never sleeps. They also have proven to be fairly reliable and not "maintenance hogs."

Again, in the hands of a competant driver the manual may give superior milage but not superior towing capacity. But even that presumes that the driver is always paying attention and making changes as required.

G.

[Ja Da Dee]

I had a Dodge Diesel with a manual, loved it. I felt like I really was in control of the load, both starting and stopping (able to use the engine to slow down, rev up the torc when accelorating up hill). We upgraded the truck this spring to get a few amenities like; back seat, power windows and doors as well as AC, and the new truck has an auto tranny. It's nice because I don't have to shift, but I do miss the manual sometimes. Ours does have an engine brake built into the tow/haul mode though. I like that feature.

[oldbutnotdead]

My towing truck, which is also my commuter vehicle, is a manual. Love it. Like the control, as other have mentioned. However, although it is unlikely that you will _need_ someone to drive because you have been hurt, there are far fewer people who can drive a stick and will do so towing a trailer than those who will do so with an automatic. Thus, on my last trip, I drove the whole way . . . with someone in the passenger seat. Sigh.

[goodhors]

Husband and I both prefer manuals, so all the trucks here are sticks. He drives a small Nissan truck daily for work as a farrier. Manual transmission takes the load he carries, does the miles and use much better than the automatics. He had to plan on a transmission replacement at about 150,000 miles, before he would give me the old, automatic truck. After two trucks, I said this is silly, let's go back to manual transmissions! No need for a new transmission with the manual models. And truck never needs a transmission replacement while I drive it either.

For hauling, we LOVE the manuals, which allow so much more FINESSE with the loads behind. This could be horses in the various trailers or hay on the semi trailer. You have better control, can more easily adjust to road conditions, with the manuals. Dually, Nissan UD, Volvo tractor, all with manuals for hauling their loads thru the mountains, over the flatlands.

Driver is skillful enough to shift as needed, up or down, to manage the loads behind. Driving is not supposed to always be a race or mindless job, takes some thinking to do it well. Like riding a trained horse, we feel the manual is a better way to go, again allowing much more finesse in your driving than an automatic does.

Was a little hard on DD, since Driver's Ed only does automatics. She had to go out and drive around the arena to learn shifting in my truck. She has it pretty good now.

[catknsn]

I prefer manual for hauling. It's so much safer if you encounter any kind of slippery road conditions to be able to downshift to slow down. And certainly better in the mountains!

[secretariat]

20 years ago, automatics were much less sophisticated and tough than they are now. Both trannies are acceptable, as long as the truck and engine are suitable for what you're towing. If you go auto, make sure it has a cooler.

I've owned 3 autos ('88 F-150, '00 F-250 diesel, '06 F-350 diesel) and 1 manual ('94 F-250 diesel) -- obviously, I'm a Ford man (have also owned 3 Taurus's during this time). The '06 F-350 is the clear winner, both trannie and engine as long as the engine holds together. But if I had a choice of any of them, I'd go back to the '94 manual.

[wendy]

my book on "trailering your horse" definitely recommends an auto for hauling HORSES. Says they last longer and pull smoother, which is important for the comfort of the horse. Not so much for hauling cargo.

[secretariat]

Mild disagreement. If I can't pull just as "smooth" with a manual I don't need to be pulling anyway.

[Foxtrot's]

I think Beverley said it first here - the manual is best for hills. We have a l7 k steep incline and while going up hill it is nice to be able to gear down, the descent is where being able to use the gears to hold the truck instead of using the breaks really saves. There just wouldn't be any breaks left - they have a runaway lane just for that.

If the deal is so great - what people are saying here - is don't hesitate to go manual.

[costco_muffins]

I've owned 3 autos ('88 F-150, '00 F-250 diesel, '06 F-350 diesel) and 1 manual ('94 F-250 diesel) -- obviously, I'm a Ford man (have also owned 3 Taurus's during this time). The '06 F-350 is the clear winner, both trannie and engine as long as the engine holds together. But if I had a choice of any of them, I'd go back to the '94 manual.

Just had to say that the other truck we have access to for long trips is the '06 F-350 auto diesel. It truly is great. I know that a gas manual isn't really going to compare, but financially we need to make a sacrifice.

[costco_muffins]

You guys convinced me! Truck is going to a trusted mechanic tomorrow AM... fingers crossed!

(now why do I feel as nervous as I do before a PPE on a horse?)

[costco_muffins]

Went to drive the truck today. It was a bit tricky to get the clutch and shifting right, but I managed to figure it out pretty well. I was surprised how fun it was to drive!

So...

Bought and paid for! We are picking it up next weekend after we get a local mechanic to do some work on the brakes for us. Yay!

[Karma]

I have an manual car and an automatic trunk (cuz it was a good deal) and I will NEVER buy another automatic truck for hauling again. I can SEE and KNOW there is a big hill coming up and down shift to have the power to maintain speed up a hill. The stupid automatic takes awhile to figure it out! Manual is the way to go.

[JohnDeere]

Our BO has autos (with tranny trouble) but prefers manuals. FWIW--sounds like hte horses are already out of the barn on that one.

[War Admiral]

Congrats on your purchase. You did the right thing.

Wanna know how I know? Because I just got home - had to drive my half-ton automatic down a 2,000-foot mountain, in the dark, on windy-twisty roads, with NO. BRAKES.

No, I wasn't hauling, and yes, D1 and D2 are your friends, but I would have been way, way, WAY safer in a manual.

Sucker's getting traded in for a manual as soon as I can find one!

[costco_muffins]

Yikes, WA, that sounds dicey! I am feeling really good about our choice, and I know I am going to appreciate the money we saved by getting the manual as well.

[Beam Me Up]

Congrats and good luck!

I have an F350 diesel manual that I also bought mostly due to price (it's also a 2WD--that combined with a stick was heavily discounted). It's been great!

As others said you have a lot more control with hills--a lot of times autos shift at exactly the point you don't want them to and you lose all your torque.

The only challenge for me has been hill starts--with a full trailer you're just a lot heavier than you are unhitched.

Hopefully this will never happen to you, but if you do ever stall on a hill start you will lose your power brake assist which means you may need to brace on the steering wheel with your arms (like, pull your body forward) to push the brake all the way down and not roll backward while you get the engine restarted.

Not to scare you at all--it's only happened to me once. I just wish someone had told me that first.