Automatics - Love 'em or hate 'em?

I first drove a Semi Automatic in the Army... Had to shift through 16 gears, but no clutch, straight shift, no H pattern, then we went to full Auto's with 5 gear ranges from 1 - 1 to 1 - 5. I was OK with the first because it was a pretty good truck, the tranny actually sucked pretty hard because it was so breakdown prone, I had three in two years, my first time with the truck, and no problems the second, but the full Auto, I didn't really care for. It was 25 28 years ago, so I am sure they have improved, but climbing mountains and such it seemed to bog down. This was in Germany.

 

p.s. - My vote would not be hate, more like a strong case of dislike.

 

My Cascadia was an auto and I loved it, but like Daycab stated, backing could be a pain. It was so touchy, but it definitely made driving through the city a whole lot easier.

 

I personally hate automatics even in automobiles. Whats so hard about shifting a manual?. Besides you get better fuel mi. Also cheaper to rebuild. No computer controlled XY shift solenoids to hang up between gears.

 

i started driving farm tractors at 10 years old. An old model A as a beach buggy also. Fast forward to after HS an Autocar 10 wheel Dump with a quad box 2 stick 16 speed, an old international cabover with a 671 and a 10 speed. I have paid my dues can drive anything with wheels or tracks. This brand new KW T700 with an auto and all the amenities inside is the finest piece of equipment I have ever driven except for all the electronic crap on the pacar engine making it underpowered. The 10 speed eaton transmission shifts smoothly and effortlessly just have to switch to manuel once and a while to maintain rpm's on the hills. I find no problems backing up just a little getting used to, It is the most finicky backing up to a trailer have slammed a couple of kingpins but i always know i am back far enough lol. At 59 my old knees dont need a 13 sppeed to be a REAL truck driver on the cross Bronk

 

This is exactly the issue with mine - backing. BUT, I have a bum knee too and in traffic I love it! Going down the road it makes no difference what so ever.

 

Never driven one, but seen many buck and snort while backing. That's all I need to know. I'll deal with miles of stop and go traffic and shifting any day, to have a controlled backing experience.

 

I like automatics. The other issue besides backing is this; ie rolling toward a red light and it is down shifting, light turns green, hit the accelerator, nothing there. It's still gear searching. Had 4 different trucks, they all did it.

 

Driving a Cascadia Auto right now.For the most part its not too bad, except for backing is screwy.