How many companies have automatic transmissions

Schneider also has automatics.

 

i took my cdl test on an auto and i have no restrictions.Maybe by state it is.

 

In a lot of states you'll get a restriction on your license which is for automatic only if you take your state CDL test with one. But not all of them.

 

you guys should check out my new thread about the FMCSA new rules, which INCLUDE automatic restrictions now...!!!

 

That's not true.you can get better mpg's with a manual then you can with a auto. Allot of companies have tried them and got rid of them KLLM for example. And for the super singles allot of companies like mine are getting rid of them.


Both are good for certain applications only




American Trucker

 

I work at Sygma and our newer trucks are Volvo autos. And the mpg is much better per the company higher up's so all new trucks coming are going to be autos.

 

"automatics are niche,they arent good for hauling otr up and down hills w/ heavy loads or especially mountains" ALLISON automatics have been used for past 30 years in the mountains on the west coast for log , lumber and wood chip trucks.

 

Drove one the other day and the fuel mileage is in fact a lot better...

Simply drops into N while going down hills... The Eco Roll

As much as I love my clutch and gears, I actually liked the Auto... I'm kind of ashamed to admit it, but it was nice. The problem with them coming into the foodservice industry in mountainous areas is this.. When the ground is covered in white stuff and you stop to deliver a store, your warm tires form a cup and ice in the snow right? A lot of times you can get out of these with the clutch and rocking... Kiss that goodbye..

There's going to be a LOT of stuck trucks in the foodservice industry that's running in snowy areas with autos.

 

Interesting theory on having an issue sliding a rusty axle... Possible

However I was blown away with the pulling power of the auto I drove the other day, and the jake power even blew me away... Just shy of 80k and you rarely have to touch the brakes in the parts of the Rockies I run, which is most of em.

You're correct on starting in icy situations for sure

A lot of people are anti Auto's until you drive one

 

Autos get better fuel mileage? Since when?

I think a manual driven by a skilled driver that drives it properly would get better mileage than an automatic hauling a load.

I'm not for or against automatics, but manual transmissions just make more sense to me when I think about the need to pull weight and all the other factors that come along with big rigs (weather, road conditions, etc.)