manuals get better long haul / highway. autos are better in city and worse highway.

Autos are better for pulling trailers in my opinion because riding a clutch to creep them just tears them up. As just the truck alone I preffer manual though.



i could suggest a combo that worked well for me in past.

any ford prior to 96 with 300 inline 6. milage and can go across scale regularly with 15,000 lbs. mine was a 1992 F150 (heavy half) 4x4. just make sure you use a brake controller and / or have good brakes!

tranny wise the 4 speed granny gear will pull anything you need it to but lacks the mileage of the 5 speed. there are 2 types of 5 speed. I preffer the mitsubishi type 5 speed as with decent gearing you can pull 15,000 lbs down the road at 70 getting 20+ mpg at around 1500-2000 rpm; not even close peak power / torque bands.

the ford auto trannys from that era are either bullet proof or junk. it costs about 850-1250 to have the auto trannys beefed up and rebuilt. after building up they last forever. they basically swap in heavier plates from a desiel tranny that are much better.

i also suggest a tandem axel at least 20 feet if not 22-23 feet so you canhaul fulk sized cars and trucks.. make sure you can drive a full size truck in it and it wilk carry equipment, vehicles, etc.