Type of automatic in your truck?Differences?

Looking for any differences between the automatics currently offered in the freightliner, Peterbilt,Kenworth, or other 2015 model trucks.
I know they offer the Detroit dd12,Allison, and the Eaton.
Differences between the models?
Thanks.

 

i had an eaton in a KW 700 paccar engine 2011 model it was ok
didnt heasitate buck or shift hard like earlier year models

now running a DD15 with the mercedes 12 speed
which is entirely different a marvel really
run 80 to CA weekly and back to WI
75 mph truck 7 mpg not babying it
never put it in manual

 

As far as I am concerned I would list them in this order, keep in mind, you are VERY limited anymore as to what tranny you can spec with which motor in what truck, that alone might change your choice.

I have driven all of the following, some for many miles, some just a test drive, the following is just my opinion.

1. Freightliner/Western Star, I think you have to put the DT-12 in the FTL's/WS at the top of the list, although newer than the Ishift/Mdrive, they are having almost no rollout issues with that platform.

2. Volvo I-shift/ Mack M-drive, really, pretty much the exact same drivetrain, motor combo's been around for a long time and seem to be very good in both performance and reliability.


3. Paccar/Cummins/Eaton Ultrashift, well proven platform, but I don't think it's in the same league with the top two.

4. International/Allison TC-10, just drove one at MATS, and absolutely loved it, by far and away in my mind the BEST available transmission going in a big truck, however, I had to list it last as it is fairly new, has few real world working units running, and of course in my mind the Maxxforce engine drags the tranny down.

Now, with that said, put a Cummins behind that TC-10 and I would put the International at or near the top of that list, even with just my limited drive time I was that impressed with that tranny.

 

Celadon has been buying all their trucks with cummins isx 15 motors.
They are now buying Cascadia's and I'm wondering if they too will have the isx, or will go with the dd15 and dd12 trans.
I'm hoping the trucks will have the Detroit power train.
I'm guessing the dd12 will be the most popular choice for fleet trucks.

 

I would bet DD15/DT-12 Evolutions, just my guess.

 

I'm in my first automatic truck....
I miss shifting as I feel you have much more control of the vehicle especially in slick weather.

The Volvo I-shift 12 speed has been flawless so far.
It will not roll back on hills...(it has hill assist) and shifts smooth.

12th gear is really like a big overdrive on this setup....averaging close to 7 mpg loaded heavy.

 

I've driven the Volvo/Mack setup, close to 20,000 miles in it so far. No issues, no problems, when it's slick or wet I put it in M mode. My biggest issue is the boss spec'd it with the wrong gearing, so I have issues pulling hills.

 

If it's the Volvo XE package it's an overdrive and 2.64 rear end. Just hit the E/P button (if you have one, most do) and it changes the shift points for hill climbing. Makes a big difference.

It's a good setup for level land cruising (I turn 1200 rpm at 67 mph) but not so much for hill climbing as in economy mode it's programmed to shift at 1500 rpm. Power mode changes that to 1850 rpm

 

Not sure what it is other than a 2014 T680 Paccar package.

Transmission is a piece of crap. I want a manual.

Jumps backing, jumps in and out of gear on an incline when starting, doesn't shift properly pulling hills, downshifts way too early causing extremely high rpms, after weeks of complaining finally had the Jake Brake adjusted to actually work...though there is still a dangerous delay.

The ONLY nice thing is city/heavy traffic.

 

the DD12 mercedes transmission skips gears
sensing the loads
economy mode and going into what they call ecoast really helps increase mileage
that said a driver still has to strive to improve mileage
we have 7 with this set up not all get "decent" mileage
the automatic traction system works well too
i haven't fell off Elk Mountain yet anyway