----------
> From: Rob Agnew <ragnew@islandnet.com>
> To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> Subject: Re: Auto vs 5-spd; was Re: DML: 1998 Dakota R/T (questionabout
the R/T!)
> Date: Friday, October 10, 1997 11:48 AM
>
> At 08:33 AM 10/10/97 -0400, you wrote:
> >In a message dated 97-10-10 06:34:20 EDT, you write:
> >
> ><< Will Tier - The Cummins engine in the 5-speed Dodge Ram (which has a
> > "granny" first gear) is more powerful than the Cummins in the automatic
> > Dodge Ram. Apparently, the automatic can't take the engine's torque,
so
> > they have to de-rate it. Which one would ". . . fade away in (the)
> > rearview mirror?" >>
> >
> >Never did care for them stinky, noisey hard starting diesels and am not
> >familiar with them or their tranny's but I know a guy who has one and
his is
> >a automatic which he loves. Hauls a horse trailer back and forth to
Florida
> >and told me he just sets the cruise on 70 and kicks back, up hill down
hill
> >no clutching or shifting just relaxation. Says he leaves them sticks
right in
> >the dust looking for the right gear. I never knew him to be untruthful
> >though...
> >
> >Bill
> Spoke with my friend who owns an RV shop, re: Dodge Cummins, after
> watching them pass all the Chevs and Ferds in the mountains, all pulling
BIG > 5th wheels. It seems that the automatic is the transmission of
choice for
> towing mainly because of the gear ratios of the 5 speed...too wide a
spread
> in the higher gears.
> Rob Agnew
> ragnew@islandnet.com
> Victoria, B.C.
> Canada
Rob, While that MAY be true (I don't know), the automatic is more
problematic than the 5-speed under the diesel's big torque, according to
the folks on the various RV newsgroups/lists, who often tow 12,000 pound
trailers. So, in general, they have stated they prefer the stick. A big
disadvantage for the stick, though (reportedly a German Getrag tranny), is
that it reportedly has to be replaced as a unit if it goes bad, 'cause it
can't be repaired! I'm not sure about that, either. I'm sure that'll cost
at least a fortune.
Dick (& Geri) Campagna, Mt Laurel, NJ campagna@nothinbut.net
(Per favore, non mi rompere i coglioni. Grazie!)
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