Auto or manual for towing?

Got a 5 speed 3.4, tows alright but sometimes I wish I had an auto. Some Boat ramps SUCK with a standard. Just want to see what the opinions are out there, would y’all rather have an auto or manual for towing?

 

A manual is fun to drive, but in modern trucks they suck for towing. And your 1st gen is probably better than newer trucks. The problem is that the gearing in both the transmission and axles is too high as modern trucks attempt to get better fuel mileage. Most modern engines develop torque at much higher rpm too.

Just for comparison the 1980's Ford trucks I owned with the 300 CI 6 cylinder developed 265 lb ft of torque at only 1600 rpm. Max HP was at only 3400 rpm. A 2020 Tacoma needs 4600 rpm to develop the same 265 lb ft of torque and needs 6000 rpm to reach max HP. The manual transmissions in those Ford trucks utilized a double low 1st gear and an almost equally low reverse. It was a lot easier to maneuver a trailer around tight spots, especially in reverse with those older trucks.

The torque converter in automatic transmissions levels the playing field and makes towing with an automatic much better.

And for what it's worth this isn't just a Toyota problem. All trucks now have the same issues. Among full size trucks that are really intended for towing they stopped even offering manual transmissions years ago. Tacoma and Wrangler are about the only options anymore for a manual and that is because those vehicles are rarely used for towing. The manuals are for the guys who just want the fun driving experience.

 

Myself Manual but I never learned to drive an Automatic .

Then the type of towing might impact your decision long Interstate Trips in good weather .

 

As stated above, modern auto trans are great. Back in the ‘70’s, the granny low manual was the hot set up, not so much any more.

 

I've always preferred manuals for towing, however the most modern autos are probably best.

 

If boat ramps are a problem shift to low range till your on the level .

Have problems at on grade intersections as well ?

 

I had an 84 model, I6 manual reg cab 4x4. Clutch went out. When I went to buy a new one, they asked " you want the 9,10, or 11"?" Turns out mine had the 9, but was pre-drilled to accept any of the three sizes. I installed the 11". Wow, what a difference in power transfer.

I sold it to a neighbor who wanted to tow one of those big old wooden cabin cruisers and launch it on a ramp. He loved it.

OP, I agree that, generally speaking, you should go auto unless you spec out a manual drive train specifically for towing, meaning ratios. Boat ramps are definitely risky with a manual. Those older trucks had such a super low 1st gear you rarely stalled them in ramp type situation, or off-roading. 1st gear was rarely used for normal driving.

 

I prefer manuals for sure, although driving my 6spd Ram CTD, in town can be a pain sometimes. With the LSD, I would spin in an inch of snow, asked the shop to adjust the idle speed-set in the ECM, due to CARB standards- their response start out in 3rd. Works ok as long as I don’t have a lot of weight on board it’s not too bad. I’ve hauled several trailers up the AlCan and there is where the CTD reigns supreme, the V8 diesel (mostly with automatics) fly by on the flats but end up in the rear view on long grades. I bought for one purpose-dragging things around and it excels at that, so I’ll keep shifting...

Back to the Taco- since I upsized to 16”wheels and tires it has been a bit worse but regear -4.56- is coming so hopefully that should help. My fiancé has on 06 with the 4cyl, and doesn’t want to tow anything except the utility trailer with light loads so I get to haul the pallets of pellets and energy logs with my rig or the diesel.

Bottom line, nothing does everything well without some modifications. Maybe the new automatics are better, but they are complex, and have lots of sensors. The work rig, F450, started throwing codes, and it turned out to be a broken wire on the rpm sensor had to manually shift it when towing.

I think I’ll stick with a manual, I hear it’s a millennial anti theft device

 

With manuals the only time that is cringe is when you are stopped with a heavy load and/or on an incline. Once you are moving, their shouldn’t be any worries if you know the proper gear and engine speed.

 

Not a problem at all, just don’t like a manual on certain ramps. Thinking about swapping to an auto

 

I've always heard that Autos tow better than a stick. but a stick is more fun to drive.

 

I have a '98 3.4 manual - tows amazingly good, though, I don't really have anything to compare it to since i've been driving manuals since I could drive. Sometimes if I'm towing a trailer and I land on a hill at a red light I roll back a little to let the driver behind me know to stay back a ways... it works, mostly...

 

It comes down to what you like .

I still think of auto transmissions from back in the day in the sixties .

Now they build them for Top Fuel cars for 1000 hp

 

I bought auto as it was going to be my DD anyway and I only tow maybe 1500 lbs. However I do "feel" the lack of power even in the V6 but that's par for the course with a small truck not tuned for low torque

 

All my truck have been manuals since the 1970's except for a 1970 Ford 150 that I got for cheap due to leaky valves (great truck after I had the heads done and cleaned the lifters up) and my current 2019 Tacoma. I looked for a manual but didn't want to wait. Even with the TSB I need to baby this transmission just towing a small downsized 1,000 lb boat and trailer. I regret not waiting for a manual Tacoma even more since I gave my 20002 Dodge 6 speed Cummins to the grandson a few years earlier. Tacoma Trucks do not have sufficient power or a transmission meant for any serious towing.

 

Couple things here: top fuel cars don’t use a transmission in the traditional at all, they use a multi-staged clutch to pour on power, the clutch slip functioning to control the difference between engine and rear end RPM.

Traditional automatics phase out in the low 8 second range.


And they make 10,000hp or so.

 

Aside from just driving whichever you prefer, the only "advantage" I can see to the manuals is you don't need a transmission cooler like you do for the autos.

Other than that, it just comes down to if you generally prefer an auto or a manual. If you can't start on a hill empty, you're not going to be able ot do it while towing a boat either.

 

It has been quite a few years since I lived in that world I got the vehicle class wrong.

 

Top alcohol still has to use a 3-SPD but it’s not exactly a TH350 lol

 

Auto for towing. I’ve driven the other and prefer the auto.