Transmissions

[Tamiya Cowboy]

I am with Jammer I would go the 6 speed first as for the cost does not warrant the extra 3 gears. And I have a truck set up with a 6 speed and it was cool at first but now when ever it gets driven i only still run 3 gears at most. But you are also right not everything is needed that is on a truck a item like this will come down to what options a guy would want on there truck and it is a very nice piece you have built.

[SonoranWraith]

Yeah I think the transmissions are one of those things that doesn't translate from the 1:1 to scale modeling. Diesel engines work in a narrow range so the transmissions are geared to keep them working in that range. The electric motors we use provide a lot more range and at small scale you need slow with power so a low gear and a high gear really provide all you need.

[Aero 9000]

Originally Posted by SonoranWraith

Yeah I think the transmissions are one of those things that doesn't translate from the 1:1 to scale modeling. Diesel engines work in a narrow range so the transmissions are geared to keep them working in that range. The electric motors we use provide a lot more range and at small scale you need slow with power so a low gear and a high gear really provide all you need.

You are quite correct.
The RS540 is quite a broad range and torquey motor.
If someone was seeking scale realism in perfomance (as many do in railroad models) a electric motor of narrower performance range could be selected to simulate the diesels performance. Perhaps the RS555. It is likely that such a motor would draw considerably less amperage than the average RS540 so far greater running times may also be achieved along with the more realistic performance.

It would be a matter of individual taste....