Learning on auto trans

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Redex, May 4, 2021.

  1. Redex

    Redex Bobtail Member

    16
    4
    Jan 31, 2013
    0
    So I’ve been looking at TMC and their training, it looks like they train new guys on automatics only anymore unless I’m mistaken.

    Would there be any advantage to going to school and learning stick and then going to a place like TMC?

    Do you severely limit your future opportunities by starting out with an automatic? Does it really matter anymore?
     
    slow.rider Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

    3,750
    6,171
    Apr 9, 2009
    Humboldt, Sk
    0
    I think something like 93 percent of new trucks are auto shifts. So it doesn’t matter so much anymore.
    However if you do your road test with an auto shift , you’re not allowed to drive a manual without doing another road test.
     
  4. Magoo1968

    Magoo1968 Road Train Member

    1,870
    4,921
    Mar 18, 2021
    St Malo mb
    0
    Only issue most have is when their company auto truck breaks down . The rental truck needs to be a auto which more are nowadays.
     
    tscottme, slow.rider and Redex Thank this.
  5. Redex

    Redex Bobtail Member

    16
    4
    Jan 31, 2013
    0
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

    27,626
    144,548
    Jul 7, 2015
    Canuckistan
    0
    Wouldn't waste the time to half-### it. May as well just do the test once and never worry about it again. Why kneecap yourself right out of the starting gate?
     
    meechyaboy, TripleSix, Coffey and 6 others Thank this.
  7. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

    13,776
    16,234
    Nov 1, 2010
    Burnsville, MN
    0
    You limit yourself if you want to get into more specialized things, because sometimes an autoshift will simply not work.
    Other than that, everything is going to autoshift these days.
    And unless you want to get into the types of jobs that require the manual trans, auto is better in so many ways.
     
  8. Lazer

    Lazer Road Train Member

    1,352
    2,106
    Jan 22, 2017
    0
    Learn to drive a manual, you won’t regret it. You may never need it, but chances are you will want to sometime in your career.
     
  9. snowmantrucking101

    snowmantrucking101 Heavy Load Member

    723
    568
    Mar 8, 2017
    0
    Facts...
     
    meechyaboy and Speed_Drums Thank this.
  10. slow.rider

    slow.rider Road Train Member

    2,005
    4,739
    Apr 4, 2017
    NYC
    0
    ....but hooking a trailer is not one of them. :confused:
     
  11. ad356

    ad356 Road Train Member

    2,138
    3,178
    Mar 13, 2017
    0
    I enjoy driving my 18 speed manual. My boss has been buying allot of autoshifts but recently he's changed his mind about going full autoshifts eventually. Last two trucks he bought were very lightly (like 10k miles each) used t880 Cummings x15 with 8LL, he got them at many many thousands below MSRP. He since swapped 18 speeds into both and had them turned up to 550 hp. He ordered 2 brand new day cabs with Cummings x15 and 18 speed manual. Guy in the shop says I may end up with one. I think delivery may be delayed because of covid but I know he did in fact order them. Right now I'm in a 2017 t880 paccar mx13 with 148k. I'd really like that Cummings I think

    Anyways he has said now he wants a fleet mixed of autoshifts and manual. Manuals for the guys that want them, and autoshifts for those who were never trained to shift. Sounds like a good plan.

    Manual transmissions are still very common in milk hauling. They work better with heavy loads, hills, and backing.

    Personally I love grabbing gears
     
    Speed_Drums, AModelCat and slow.rider Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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