Does anyone tow with a stick shift? Lookin at new (used) trucks curious on opinions...
Thanks

I have a 2006 Dodge dually with the G56 manual. I have hauled one car trailers when I worked. They were 5-6k and I had no problems. When my wife retires I'll buy a 16,000lb 5th wheel toyhauler. I will upgrade the transmission and brakes for that.

I tow with a Chevy dually, 454, NV4500 5 speed and I love it.

I have had several manual Dodges over the years. I personally prefer a manual for towing but I am just used to it.

NV4500 - 5 speed, fairly reliable and not too hard to find. There are reports of guys "loosing fifth gear". It is more prone in the 94-98 models. The solution is a heavy duty mainshaft.

NV5600 - 6 speed found in late 2000 to early 2005 trucks. Can't beat it for a manual. Still my favorite.

G56 - 6 speed found in late 2005 to current Dodge trucks. While mine gave me good service, I found the final drive ratio to be lower than the previous NV5600 making my 3:56 gears feel more like 4:10s at highway speeds. There have been complaints of premature clutch wear but I never had any issues with mine.

My favorite truck I have had is still my early 2005 Dodge 2500 with the NV5600 six speed.

You can tell the six speeds apart by seeing where reverse is. On the NV5600, it is up and to the right...on the G56 it is down and to the left.

just make sure you learn how to drive one on a hill under a load before you go to pull your boat out of the water on a wet boat ramp. Ive seen alot of people kinda "freak" and it turns into a disaster trying to get them up a ramp. Most people use 4low and low or 1st to get up a ramp. Other then the 90s dodge manuals with their 5th gear problem, most standards are bulletproof. Just gotta get a good solid clutch.

I have a 00 cummins that has a auto and i like it cause I get in it and go and don't have to worry bout shifting. I also have a 05 cummins with the g56 and i just let the clutch out in two wheel drive and it pulls the boat out no problem. The only think that i don't like about the g56 is how low the trans is geared, at 2000 rpm im only going 68 mph and that is with a 3.73 rearend 35 in. tires. I don't no if I favor the 00 cause of the way it pulls the boat cause of all the performance garbage that is on it but to me there is nothing better than a built 47 or 48re.

My truck has the 3.73 with the stock size tires and 2000rpms is only 63-64mph. I would like to go down to 3.55 to increase speed at 2000rpms but that may not be enough gearing for a 16,000 RV. The only other solution I know of is an over/under drive transmission but at $35000 it's not cheap.

I don't know about the Ford or GM diesels but if a Cummins is run over 2000rpms fuel mileage drops quickly.

Haulinvols is right about the NV5600. It's a stronger trans than the G56 because it has a stronger steel case where the G56 has an aluminum case, and stronger internals.

The dual mass flywheel is problematic in the G56 as is the clutch. If you tow very heavy with it you'll need to address those issues fairly soon...

007joe find a 2005 Dodge with the NV5600, doesn't get much better than that, plus you get the 325/610 motor. Win win.

I can't imagine who or what would have hired him.

Sorry about that Sy, guess I was a little grumpy that day. I'll buy you a drink next time we meet.