A note to the anti-auto crowd

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by striker, May 6, 2012.

  1. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Same with real gears.

    Not too hard to brake down a bit and grab a lower gear.

    And if you get to "butt pucker factor 10" because you are one gear too high at the top of a hill - maybe you should not be driving a big rig.
     
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  3. Kansas

    Kansas Road Train Member

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    Gimme a break man, first thing you are taught about shifting going down a big hill, is DO NOT DO IT unless you absolutely have to.

    If you tell me youve NEVER had to down shift because you chose a wrong gear on a hill. You are either a liar or the biggest SUPER TRUCKER ever known to man kind.

    Do you wear Elvis sunglasses and weight lifting gloves?
     
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  4. DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

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    I wear Fingerless gloves, aviators, and i downshift downhill. Sometimes you have no choice.

    Ethan
     
  5. Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

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    My non computer truck's never been down for a transmission in a million miles. Pilot bearing froze up and wore the tip of the input shaft so it was time to pull it and add a new clutch while out.

    Trans problems are more than likely driver abuse.

    Computers and electronics just add more complexity and more things to go wrong.

    I wouldn't mind not having to shift but at the expense of more downtime it ain't worth it.
     
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  6. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    The thing about auto's is if you never learn to shift a manual with a trainer sitting beside you, you are going to have a very hard time learning. That means losing control of the truck if you can't find a gear.

    One can stay in an auto, but you limit your career choices greatly. USXpress is a good example. They made the move to autoshifts to open up who they could hire. After experiencing them they are replacing the fleet with manuals.

    States can add to federal law but they can't take away. If it's like you say striker then there will be a problem like they had in IL. All them licenses will be found void and have to retest.
     
  7. DEMO

    DEMO Money Bags

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    A few years back I drove an auto dump truck. Grossing 70K never had a problem with it, loved it around town in stop & go traffic. Now, that being said, I prefer a manual & to float my gears... I think double clutching is cheating..:biggrin_25522:
     
  8. Bob The Dinosaur

    Bob The Dinosaur Light Load Member

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    Ah yes i was wondering when such a n idea of down shifting down a hill would come up sometimes it is needed not saying wise but sometimes needed. Take those autos and keep them in dumpers and garbage trucks( not talking to reefer rats badly either )
     
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  9. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    I suppose a P/D or Interstate truck would be ok for autos or a learning tool so a student can maneuver a truck without trying to learn to shift,then move on to a manual. Personally I would like to drive an auto for those applications. I'm tired of shifting! However, if I was driving off road then I'll stick to a manual. The thing is,the more skills you posses like pulling different trailers the better your job opportunity. I guess I should go to a truck driving school cause hauling logs you down shift going down grades all day long. They don't engineer haul roads.......a cat skinner just punches them through the woods.:biggrin_25526:
     
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  10. last 1

    last 1 Medium Load Member

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    I had a guy roll back down a hill about 10 feet and hit the front of my truck with a auto once. It was his 2nd day with a auto :biggrin_2556: so maybe they are more complicated than some think. He said he had been driving manuals for 10 plus years. Me I have never driven 1 or even sat in a truck with 1.
     
  11. DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

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    Mine will roll back. It won't engage the clutch at start off till your at about half throttle. If I'm stopped on an incline then ill let off the break and punch the throttle about 70%. That keeps it from rolling back and also gives it a smoother start rather than holding one foot on the brake and giving it fuel to get going.

    Ethan
     
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