Manual vs Automatic
 

Does anyone use a manual when pulling there boat out of the water. And if so how hard is it on the clutch?

First gear is usually low enough that you can just let the clutch out and creep up the ramp. If not put it in 4 LOW and it will take you 25 minutes to get up the ramp in 1st gear :)


I LOVED towing with a manual trans, the control through the hills and overall performance was awesome.

Not an issue at all. Used to drive manual, live in europe, hate automatic.

I had an '01 Chev 3500 with 8.1 gasser and 6 sp manual. Towed a Baja 302. I liked the manual on the highway, not so much on the back roads. IMO there's enough to worry about when towing without having to shift.

+1 on the low 1st gear pulling out. However, shifting on a steep, long, wet Cumberland ramp wasn't fun with 2WD. Having done it both ways, I prefer auto. Mostly because my wife handles the truck and I do the boat when we launch.

Do you have to worry about tranny temps getting as hot with a manual?

What about 4WD systems, does push button or the manual kind on the floor make a difference?

You won't ever have a tranny temp issue with a manual, there is much less friction in the transmission and no torque converter to make heat.

I have had both types of 4x4 systems, either works fine. I almost prefer the manual ones since there are no actuators to fail, and they can be shifted quicker, etc. My current truck is electric though, and I have never had an issue.

48 ceramic button dual disc clutch, gets really grabbing since theres no slipping that thing under 2500 rpm, so i just use 4 low, 1st and let it take its time.

I think todays automatics are so far advanced i see no reason to jump up and down on a clutch all day. I used to drive a 5 speed tow truck and my left leg, knee and hip were dead at the end of the day. Not to mention re-sale value. No one wants a stick.

:lolhit::lolhit::lolhit:

I sought out a 6 Speed Manual for my F350. Never put it in 4X4 at the ramp - simply let the clutch out and it pulls it right out. I am probably 14k plus....

I pull my boat and my 50ft car hauler with a 2wd 6-speed manual.

Even when launching my boat and backing the rear tires up to the lug nuts in the water, I just slowly let out the clutch and the truck climbs up with no problem. Don't even need to accelerate, just idle up.

A modified automatic on a modified diesel for daily driving is a BLAST though. You can turn up the truck, blow black smoke all over, and have a fun ride without the slow shifting.

Towing more often the stick is awesome, more reliable, stronger, less maintenance, less heat, etc.

Echoing what others have said. I sought out a 6sp manual. Don't even use the right pedal to pull out of the ramp, just granny gear and slowly let out the clutch.

If I could afford a new truck with a new automatic, I would be all over it, but being relegated to used trucks, I stay with manuals because:

1) Nothing bugs me more than driving an older auto that has two modes, acceleration and coast. Newer programming provides more engine braking, cool.

2) A manual is just a box of gears. I can tell more from a test drive with a manual versus and auto. Buying a truck with 100K+ on the clock and an original tranny is asking for trouble IMHO. Clutches are comparatively cheap.

Ive been towing professionally (mostly ford 350's 450's) nearly 25 years. After the c6 went away almost every automatic trans has been junk. It was rare to have a trans last past the orginal 36k warranty. They typically didn't last a year. And in a commercial app you couldnt get an extended warranty. With the new stuff, knock on wood, I haven't had a failure under 100k.
I understand some people prefer stick shifts for various reasons, but the vast majority of the general public prefer automatics.

With how good Ford/GM's auto's are I don't see a need for the manual really, Dodge finally made an ok trans with the newer 6 speed, but for some reason I still like the manual behind the Ram. Especially in the past where your only choice was the manual trans or the pos weak 48LE with it's crap gearing, god that trans sucked donkey balls and made towing feel lethargic.