Towing: Manual VS Automatic?

[EquineImagined]

Does anyone have exp with both, or a prefferance?

My personal vehicle (civic) has moved on to the great beyond of being stripped down and sold off for parts (wasn’t worth repairing after it was eaten by a ditch. Long story about a wet windy road and a tire blow out >.<) For now, I’ve been saving up towards a truck.

I’ve only ever towed in an automatic. Manual doesn’t scare me, I actually prefer it in my cars, but wanted to get input on other’s exp. Still just in the shopping phase, but it’s time to rip up the ‘custody agreement’ my roomy and I have over Silver and for me to have a permanent vehicle available for hauling horses/feed store runs/lowes runs etcetc to my heart’s content.

[ACP]

I have had experience with a lot of trucks over the years - I’m 65, plus my parents had trucks too - and owned/driven both Fords and GM’s, and had friends with Dodge trucks. All of the truck dealers are recommending an automatic now. They say it is easier on the transmission because it changes when it should, while a driver will change sooner or later, rather than at the best time. Also, they recommend a towing package if you are going to pull very big weights. As in six horse with living quarters!

[danceronice]

My dad (the nitpicky automotive engineer mentioned elsewhere in threads regarding Brenderups) told me when I was considering buying a vehicle to haul said Brenderup for my next car, “Get an automatic.” (Well, he said that anyway because I have never owned a manual, but he meant for towing.) It is much, much easier on the engine and on you than trying to haul with a manual unless we’re talking a semi tractor trailer, which I doubt we are! And that was regarding the Brenderup, which is very light to haul compared to steel bumper pulls (the automotive engineer hates them) and goosenecks (which he doesn’t object to but which we didn’t need.)

And definitely get the tow package. At the very worst, it can’t hurt. At best, it will help.

[goodhors]

I would totally recommend the tow package, helps your truck work harder more easily. The trailer hitch folks said it was very easy to put in the connections for lights, controller box.

I would recommend the manual, because I find you have better control, more able to tweak things in less than perfect condtions. All our vehicles now have manuals. Husbands work trucks carrying at least 1000 pounds ALL the time, have the manual transmissions last longer. When he had the automatics, he would replace one on each truck before reaching the mileage to be moving to a newer truck. He doesn’t pull with those trucks though. Also no 4WD on any of our trucks. With the manual transmissions, careful driving, we seldom have problems getting stuck on iffy ground.

If you don’t want to pay attention to motor, tach, to skillfully manage the shifting for available engine power, you will probably be happier with the automatic. I drive both big and smaller trucks, really like the manual transmissions when driving. Again, I just feel a lot more in control, able to do more with that shifting ability when I WANT to change things. Seems especially helpful in our winter driving, like skids on ice, getting control back to me by just pushing in the clutch.

[Guilherme]

I think all of the newer automatic transmissions in pickups now have a “tow-haul” mode that permits safe, effective, and econmical towing. Some of the “die hard gearheads” just brindle at this, but it seems to be the way things are.

I’ve got an '08 Duramax and only rarely use the manual option. Those very few times are always on steep, winding descents here in the Eastern mountains.

If you’re looking at a car or SUV I’d spend some time with the Owner’s Manual (NOT the salesman ) and see that that says.

G.

G.

[EquineImagined]

[QUOTE=goodhors;5347199]

I would recommend the manual, because I find you have better control, more able to tweak things in less than perfect condtions.
.[/QUOTE]

That’s exactly why I loved my 5-speed My lil civic and I got through a lot of crummy conditions that people in 4wd trucks were all over the place in. But a lot of that could have been due to my not feeling invincible and the fact I learned to drive in pouring rain/6in of snow. My father had done a lot of ‘bad weather’ driving courses, and driving, so he generously passed all that on to me.

The tow package is not ‘optional’ in my mind It’s a must have. Whatever truck I get either is coming equipped with one, or I’m taking it to the ‘toy store’ and getting one.

[eponacelt]

Automatics are the way to go for towing. DH is very much a “car guy” and would never haul with a manual, although we both prefer manuals for our regular cars.

And get the tow package. Makes everything easier on the engine.

[tabula_rashah]

My current truck is an automatic and while I love it, I would much, much rather be hauling with a manual. I really like that extra control that the manual has.

[Go_Fish]

I don’t care how good of a driver you are, an automatic is much easier on the horses. If you don’t believe me, go stand in the back of your trailer while someone is shifting constantly in heavy traffic. Not to mention it’s a pain in the ass for you, the driver.

[Foxtrot_s]

My experience exists solely with my one truck that we bought 22 years ago and still have. Back then the manual was considered the way to go and it is still on its first transmission, but second clutch. Nowdays, the automatics are so reliable and give a smother ride for the horses, so for convenience, I would go auto.

There was a time when I was glad of the manual - climbing up a steep gravel hill after loading up with hay in the truck and trailer - had to crawl up in first gear and 4x4.

Then again, my truck is slow to change and when I saw a patch of gumbo and tried, too late, to try and gear down to second from third, I ended up in neutral with no 4x4 or anything. The truck and trailer slid off the road into a swale and there I was in the middle of nowhere by myself, out of cellphone reach with my mare standing nose down at 45% angle. She backed out somehow, I saddled up and had to ride down a steep escarpment to a ranch house where I called my friend who came with a huge manly John Deer and pulled my truck out. If I had
had automatic I think I may not have gone out of control, although the gumbo mud filled up the nubs in the wheels making them completely slick. Who knows, I don’t. On a long drive I was probably not thinking to quickly either after a long day.

[Beam_Me_Up]

I have owned both for towing, currently have a manual (it was so cheap, I couldn’t resist), all else equal would prefer the auto, I think.

FWIW I only like manual for commuting etc. (my other car is a civic too), so I am very experienced with a manual in general, just wouldn’t pick for towing.

The manual has some positives:

• Better control in inclement weather (more important when not towing though–who tows in scary ice?)
• Can downshift instead of riding brakes down serious hills
• Much cheaper maintenance–replacing a clutch is much easier than a transmission

But also negatives:

• It does take some getting used to, which does involve a rougher ride (you will find it shifts very differently with no trailer/empty trailer/full trailer). Downshifting up hills is particularly bumpy.
• Hill starts–serious hill, heavy trailer, car behind you want too close = not fun. If you stall in the above situation you may not be physically strong enough to hold the trailer in place while you restart when you lose the power brakes–this happened to me once, and I am not a small/weak person, it was terrifying

[Foxtrot_s]

Beam Me Up - your commute is vastly different to ours. I get an exhausted left leg in my truck from all that changing in the stop/start of rush hour.

But, in our mountainous country, the manual for down hills is certainly nice.

And those hillstarts are quite scarey that you describe!!!

And, like I said, changing in difficult conditions leaves me in neutral for a couple of seconds…with my old truck, but it is still on its first transmission after 22 years and being hitched to a trailer 90% of its life.

Overall - I’d go for a modern automataic when the time comes for a change of truck.

[mjrtango93]

With all these new trucks go auto! So much easier, so much smoother, not to mention if you need somebody to drive with you to give you a break on longer trips chances are that person won’t know how to drive a stick (let alone with a trailer attached). As for down hill and braking, well I had an F-350 with a 4 horse living quarter trailer, put it in tow/haul mode, dropped it in second and touched my brakes maybe twice down a whoppin grade. Just slow down enough before you start to drop and it will hold you. Also you can get engine brakes for autos if you really need the extra hold, it’s as easy as pushing a button. Even my friend that was a die hard manual driver (even while towing) just bought his new truck, its an automatic.

[tabula_rashah]

[QUOTE=Go Fish;5347388]
I don’t care how good of a driver you are, an automatic is much easier on the horses. If you don’t believe me, go stand in the back of your trailer while someone is shifting constantly in heavy traffic. Not to mention it’s a pain in the ass for you, the driver.[/QUOTE]

??? You shouldn’t even feel the shift if you hit that sweet spot in the RPM’s.

[JB]

Forgive what might be a noob question, as I have only ever driven manual vehicles, including my truck, until my new auto Toyota Matrix:

for those who have mentioned liking a manual for driving down steep hills, don’t automatic trannies have 2 other lower drive gears? Can they not be used (should they not be used?) for helping control descents?

Great thread, as I am in the market for a new (used) truck!

[tabula_rashah]

[QUOTE=JB;5347603]
Forgive what might be a noob question, as I have only ever driven manual vehicles, including my truck, until my new auto Toyota Matrix:

for those who have mentioned liking a manual for driving down steep hills, don’t automatic trannies have 2 other lower drive gears? Can they not be used (should they not be used?) for helping control descents?

Great thread, as I am in the market for a new (used) truck![/QUOTE]

Yes- I do quite often use the the lower gears on my automatic truck, but the reason I like the manual better for it is- the next gear down in my automatic tops out at 30- not very useful for a big downhill on the highway- I can put it in tow/haul, but the push from the trailer will eventually get it rolling to fast. With the manual I could really pick which speed I wanted it to stay at.

[EquineImagined]

[QUOTE=tabula rashah;5347550]
??? You shouldn’t even feel the shift if you hit that sweet spot in the RPM’s.[/QUOTE]

I had a coworker I gave rides home to for a month before they realized my car was a manual, proud moment for me until I accepted that she just wasn’t the quickest pony on the track, so to speak. But I imagine it may be different with the weight of the trailer behind you effecting everything while you shift?

[2bee]

[QUOTE=Go Fish;5347388]
I don’t care how good of a driver you are, an automatic is much easier on the horses. If you don’t believe me, go stand in the back of your trailer while someone is shifting constantly in heavy traffic. Not to mention it’s a pain in the ass for you, the driver.[/QUOTE]

@tabula rashah;5347550

??? You shouldn’t even feel the shift if you hit that sweet spot in the RPM’s.

@EquineImagined;5347640

I had a coworker I gave rides home to for a month before they realized my car was a manual, proud moment for me until I accepted that she just wasn’t the quickest pony on the track, so to speak. But I imagine it may be different with the weight of the trailer behind you effecting everything while you shift?

“Smooth” is all clutch/rpm/mph management. Some people can drive, most can’t.

[cssutton]

Ford builds more pickups tan any other manufacturer.

If you buy a Ford, in the F250-F350 range, you will have a hard time finding a stick shift.

That should tell you something.

I have owned a lot of straight drive F250 and F350 trucks. The last one had 357,000 on it.

I now own a 2008 F350 automatic with tow/haul and I will never go back to a straight shift.

The 2008 now has 92,000 miles on it with probably 30% of that pulling a 4 horse trailer loaded lightly…1,100 to 3,000 lbs.

Don’t kid yourself that a manual is cheap to maintain. A Ford will use up a clutch about every 100,000 to 120,000 miles. Cost of clutch about $1,000.

Transmission about $3,000.

Those numbers are from memory, so don’t nitpick. They are close enough.

The new autos last longer than clutches and transmissions.

CSSJR

[JB]

I’ve never had an issue hauling with my manual shift in terms of jerking the change. It all does come down to proper timing.