4 Wheel Drive or 2 Wheel Drive?

2WD will generally get you better fuel economy and a lower bed height for easier access to gooseneck/fifth wheel hitches. Four wheel drive might have a slight advantage the few days a year that snow or ice will actually affect your driving, but if it's bad enough you need 4WD, it's bad enough you shouldn't be pulling an RV on the highway. JMHO.

 

Usually 2WD is rated at a higher towing capacity too...

Back when I pulled a few goose neck car hauler trailers they bought all 2WD dually trucks.

 

I like a manual, but that's up to you. I'd also go with a 2 wheel drive. If it's that slippery that you need 4 wheel drive, you probably shouldn't be out anyway.

 

I wonder if they still offer a manual in a 3500 series truck?
That would be the way to go.
I had a Chevy dually with a 6 speed auto Allison.....That was a pretty solid setup too.
You can do a custom tune on these newer pickups and get some tire shredding power out of them too...I could pull my 9000+ pound camper like nothing was behind me.

 

of my three dodge pickups only my first was four wheel drive. i was thinking i would get better fuel mileage with two wheel drive, but it didn't happen. the only two times i got stuck was once on the lot and once at the factory lot when first hooking up to the campers. (the lots had several icy spots but no the road) i have just sold my last two wheel drive and am looking for another four wheel drive.

as far as standard or automatic transmission i can only talk about dodge, i've had both and the 5 and 6 speed is better for pulling. (in my opinion) the newer ones could be different i have only had 2001 and 2003 model years. the auto's are a lot easier in traffic jams.

 

If you want slow speed traction for off road you could get a 2wd with a locking diff. It will blow away a stock 4wd but is suicide having it locked at highway speeds on ice.

 

2WD, auto transmission will come from the factory with a higher GCWR, so legally you can pull more. Me personally, I prefer a manual but that is just a personal opinion. The only time I would recommend a 4WD is if you were doing hotshot work for the oil field industry, some of the roads and areas you have to access, 4WD could be helpful, but otherwise a basic 2WD will do just fine as a highway truck.

 

I think dodge is the only one who still offers a manual transmission option in there trucks, but be warned there's a 200+ lb ft toque penalty for ordering it. Your cummins is de rated to 650 ft lbs because that's the manuals limit. To get the advertised 850 ft lbs you'll have to make do with an automatic.

 

2wd, manual dodge cummins with a single rear wheel would be the best bet.