Why can't American trucks have synchronized transmissions?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by snowbird_89, Mar 6, 2011.

  1. snowbird_89

    snowbird_89 Road Train Member

    1,006
    799
    Aug 21, 2009
    Massachusetts
    0
    European trucks have synchronized transmissions. Why do American trucks have to use "crash boxes"? Synchronized is so much better. It's just like shifting a car. No way to grind. :biggrin_255:
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. V8Lenny

    V8Lenny Road Train Member

    1,016
    130
    Aug 3, 2008
    Europe
    0
    I'm european and I'd like to have crash box in my Scania but can't get it anymore from the factory. Why? Because it's so much faster and lighter to change plus more fuel efficient because of less internal friction. But most american truckers needs synchro boxes because they can't change Fuller properly. A sad point is that Fuller don't know how to make a strong gearbox anymore, they can't take the high torque of todays (european) engines.
     
  4. SL3406

    SL3406 Medium Load Member

    534
    1,431
    Jan 10, 2011
    Oklahoma
    0
    American trucks don't need better transmissions, they just need better drivers. There is nothing wrong with Fuller transmissions when driven properly.
     
  5. dieselpowerrules

    dieselpowerrules Light Load Member

    248
    37
    Feb 24, 2011
    Wisconsin
    0
    I've also heard that the sychros don't last nearly as long as a standard box, plus I take a little bit of pride in knowing that I have the skill to drive something that not many can anymore seeing as regular vehicles have had sychros for how long now??
     
    Bluedew and Prairie Boy Thank this.
  6. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

    5,817
    7,675
    Jul 12, 2009
    A.W.O.L
    0

    Without a doubt!
     
    NWMAXI Thanks this.
  7. king Q

    king Q Road Train Member

    2,868
    3,031
    Jul 26, 2010
    Johannesburg sa
    0
    Driving a crash box is not that difficult.
    A bit of understanding and practice , bingo.
    Americans aren't getting dumber are they?
     
  8. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

    5,817
    7,675
    Jul 12, 2009
    A.W.O.L
    0

    No...The truck driving schools and the training companies have dumbed down the incoming driver pool to the point that it seems that most of them have no business even standing near a truck...Much less driving one.
     
  9. davenjeip

    davenjeip Medium Load Member

    459
    257
    Dec 20, 2009
    Port Charlotte, Fl
    0
    Has always been my understanding that the syncros wouldn't last nearly as long as the rest of the transmission, so they are not in there to keep things lasting as long as the rest of the parts.
     
  10. highside

    highside Medium Load Member

    441
    510
    Feb 6, 2010
    Kansas
    0
    Why in the world would I want to have to start using the clutch for each and every shift when I only have to use it for starting and stopping now? My shifts are are smooth without syncros, and it takes minimal effort to make the shift. I agree with SL3406...trucks don't need to get better - just the drivers!
     
  11. Puller810

    Puller810 Bobtail Member

    32
    15
    Jan 17, 2011
    Michigan
    0

    Do we really want to answer that question.:biggrin_2559:
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.