A Manual will pull a huge load up a hill twice as long as an automatic will, get too much weight in your truck and pulling a steep enough hill, and you could probably burn up an auto as well as a Manual.
When I think of an Automatic transmission, for some reason, I think of a economy car...
When I think of Manuals, I think of trucks, and bigger vehicles.
(Although you can have either transmission in either vehicle)
Another thing about Manuals, is you can downshift and save wear and tear on your brakes.
Besides if your pulling a long hill with an automatic it's going to keep shifting up and down and get hot, pretty soon you will be walking...
This won't happen with a Manual.
Let's simplify this, Manuals are for work trucks, Automatics for economy cars and small trucks.

Last edited by 76F350; 01/23/2010 6:44 PM.
'76 F-350 Super Camper Special (140" WB), Ranger-XLT, Fast 390 V8, 4-Speed, Gun Rack, Brush Guard, Dual Exhaust, 3.73 Gears, 10K GVW.
'74 F-250 Super-Cab (155" WB), Ranger, Rebuilt 390 V8, C6 Auto, Tachometer, Headers, '77 Grille, Kill Switch, Single Exhaust, 4.11 Gears.
'59 Chevy 38 Apache Stakebed (Not running), 235-Inline-6, 4-speed, Gun Rack, 3 Tanks, Dual Rear Wheel, 9.5K GVW & no fancy stuff.
'99 Mitsubishi Fuso 5-Ton Delivery Truck, Diesel, 4-Speed Auto, 1-Ton Lift Gate, 18FT Box.