Automatic Trucks

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by RogerThat72, Apr 20, 2015.

  1. RogerThat72

    RogerThat72 Road Train Member

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    Seems like a lot ( not all) of these tanker companys are using automatic transmissions. Anyone have experience or advice as well as compare on contrast compared to a standard?
     
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  3. Hanzerik

    Hanzerik Light Load Member

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    Our main trucks are Autos, but our backup is an older 13spd which I had driven for about a year and a half. With my current truck (Auto) I spend a lot of time in manual mode, especially when loaded and in traffic, or when the roads are wet/snow/ice covered. I'll run in auto mode when empty and the roads are dry, and in stop and go traffic. But I like to be in manual mode when loaded and in traffic...it'll shift up too early or too often back and forth for my taste. I like being in, and staying in, 9th gear when I'm trying to maintain the 55mph speed limit on I-25 in the Denver areas.
     
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  4. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    It would be smart for the companies that are hauling in town like gasoline to have autos. I'd have to try one before I could comment on their use. The concept sounds good but we all know how that goes. Is it going to pull 110,000lbs around the city with no problem or are we going to struggle? And how is it going to react when I slow down for an intersection and the light turns green and it's time to go? Is it going to downshift every gear, because if it does the vote would be no from me?
     
  5. Hanzerik

    Hanzerik Light Load Member

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    110K around the city in a 10spd might struggle a bit.

    But what is nice is when you do have a bunch of stop and go with stop lights. When you are braking it will start to down shift by itself, and if the light turns green, once you put pressure on the fuel peddle it'll shift into the right gear for you to start moving again. If you are on the brakes still at 5th gear, it will drop into 4th but will go into a kind of neutral...guess it figures you are going slow enough that you don't need the engine to help you stop. But if you keep very light pressure on the fuel peddle as you slow down, say slowly coasting to a stop, it will continue to down shift into 4th/3rd/2nd.
     
  6. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    All of our trucks had 10 speeds and not one of them had any problems. They were geared right with the big motors. Stop and go is just that, if you race your shifts you might have some problems but we were all paid by the hour so no rush. Nice easy shifting with every Smith point utilized.
     
  7. Cali kid

    Cali kid Road Train Member

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    Never liked them when I had one to touchy for backing and getting in tight spots, but grate for stop and go traffic.
     
  8. sprizo

    sprizo Light Load Member

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    Let the babes have the autos. I'm old school and if it doesn't have a stick im miserable. Worst mistake in this industry. You lose all control with a pussymatic!
     
  9. RogerThat72

    RogerThat72 Road Train Member

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    Exactly, I was like. How exactly do I do a proper tug test on an automatic? Automatic in the winter with a tank OTR must be a nightmare. I did see at standard at QC I Pray it's still there when I choose my truck cause they said I had choice of what I wanted.
     
  10. S M D

    S M D Road Train Member

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    I have driven every automatic since from 06 to 2016 models yes the old models suck mostly. But 2016 and in between are really smart. They record the weight and skip shift. Depending on the weight it records it'll start in higher gears like 4th 5th. You can down shift the volvos by pushing your foot to the floor there is a click, or you can do it with the engine brake lever. They will out shift the hand for sure. Although I choose a 2011 cummins 10 speed over the 2013s+ autos. I need a spot to rest my arm lol
     
  11. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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