These two lines sum up 90% of the people who knock AMT and automatics, they either have ZERO exp. or did so with a closed mind and weren't willing to look at the possibility.
Automatic Manual Transmissions vs Manual Transmissions
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by ChicagoDave, Dec 22, 2015.
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The experience had last summer helping the driver with the sliding tandems,.. He also had a Mack. It was a Mack Vision. The company was Big Dog trucking,.. or Big G Trucking,.. White truck with I think a big G on the side.
Anyway,.. I consider myself a very competent driver. I drove for 7 years from 1987 to 1995 for a towing/transport heavy haul company. Left trucking for 15 years,.. and returned in 2011. My wife gets frustrated with me because I get down on myself when I cant not back a trailer into a hole at the truck stop or anywhere else and do it in one shot with no pull ups. I take pride in that I forced myself to perfect my skills and become the best that I can be and still to this day,.. I work on becoming better and smoother at everything.
With that said,.. That Mack Vision with the auto made me feel like a rookie kid struggling to figure it out. I am almost 50 yrs old.
It lurched,.. it shuddered,.. when I let off the pedal,.. it gave itself more fuel forcing me to stab the brakes. I felt like a complete idiot not understanding the correct operation of that truck.
I know there has to be a learning curve to making it work. Problem is,.. its not something I want to learn. Not as long as I own my own trucks,.. I will never buy an auto. I have nothing against guys who like auto's. Only a slight resentment to those who talk bad about manuals because they lack the skill and fortitude to master one.
Also,.. despite the obvious driver experience within your company. The majority of large fleets moving to autos are doing it (In My Opinion) because it dumbs down the learning process and gets drivers qualified to go out on their own faster.
They are not doing the new drivers any favors, because as they gain confidence and experience they are naturally going to look for work paying more or simply to learn something else. They will have a difficult time with many companies if they can not properly shift a manual.
Thats my whole opinion on auto's.
I have read a few posts here on the forum where experienced guys said they didnt think they would like it and ended up falling in love with it. So I dont knock them because thats what they like. Thats not where I am coming from at all.
HurstBob Dobalina Thanks this. -
My two cents about new drivers, I would strongly caution anybody against putting a new driver in an auto shift. There is (to me at least) way more to think about besides what gear you're in. I guess if the truck stays on the pavement all the time then maybe it wouldn't matter much but if any snow is driven in or any type of off road driving is involved then the new driver needs the manual. The last thing a new driver needs to worry about is that computer shifting at the wrong time. That would be a recipe for disaster in a hurry.rank and Bob Dobalina Thank this. -
I guess we should all strive to be like Striker.
I used to have preferences, now I just whine about $#%@.
When/if Ibuy a few more trucks, chances are they'll have auto trannies. Chances are I'll still be contributing to paying off Strikers cars myself. -
Note to self: ALWAYS follow rule to keep pie hole shut. -
Sounds like you got there too soon. And your prepass is to blame. -
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You all can say what you want. Some of us just don't like auto's. Plain and simple as that.
I used one for one trip. AND I HATED IT. And have absolutely NO desire to learn it.
Push the gas pedal down and wait 2 seconds for the truck to move. Climb the hills at 900 rpms. Down the hills at 900 rpms. Some trucks don't have manual mode. Some companies don't allow it, what so ever.
The auto i drove, took an hour longer on the same trip. And when you consider that departure times are usually dinner time. I want that hour to sleep. Not drive.ChicagoDave Thanks this. -
bottomdumpin, striker, Confused and 1 other person Thank this.
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striker Thanks this.
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