Why the 10 Speed?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Ccjohn, Feb 24, 2021.

  1. Ccjohn

    Ccjohn Bobtail Member

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    Out of boredom I’ve been searching about different transmissions. From everything I’ve seen the norm in megas is the 10 speed. Everyone that seems to be commenting says the 10 speeds are bulletproof and easy to learn on hence why the 10 speeds seem to be the norm.

    As someone who learned on an 18 speed and that’s what I primarily drive (besides occasionally on a 9 speed or an 8LL), I’m curious why everyone says;

    1. The 10 speeds are more bullet proof and harder for a new driver to destroy.

    And

    2. Easier for new drivers to learn of to use.

    Why does this seem to be the consensus over a 13/18 speed?
     
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  3. Road-house

    Road-house Light Load Member

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    Imho why it's easier for new drivers is because you only have to split the gears once. It's sad to say but with the new drivers who can barely handle a auto I can imagine them staying lost in 13/18 speeds. I prefer a 13 speed I've only ran 18 speed a few times moving equipment.
     
  4. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I learned how to drive on a 9 speed so the transition to 13 was no biggie. I had a harder time when I had to switch from that 13 to a 10 for the first time.
     
  5. Ccjohn

    Ccjohn Bobtail Member

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    One of the things that made me start searching transmissions and ultimately make this post is we just bought an old dump truck with a 10 speed. The first time i drove is around i felt like i was just learning again. Maybe its because i learned on a 18sp but i thought the 10sp was more difficult. Hence my confusion with megas specing transmissions at 10sp.
     
  6. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    Mostly it’s cheaper and lighter weight.
     
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  7. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Cost is number one factor why the megas used to order 10 speeds. Now they order auto 12 speeds...:)
     
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  8. dclerici1

    dclerici1 Medium Load Member

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    I sure love the 18 in stop/go traffic.
     
  9. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    I say,,,with todays power, a 10 speed is all that's needed. I think this 13,15, 18 speed baloney is all fluff. Splitters have a habit of failing, especially in the cold, whereas, the majority of trucks I drove were 10( or 9) speeds, and they never let me down. Even small motors, a 10 speed was adequate. The 13 speed, and it's successors, were created for 2 cycle Detroits, where a half a gear, got you over the hill. After 35 years, I'm sick of shifting, but wouldn't drive an automatic truck. A 10 speed and a 500 hp motor is just fine.
     
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  10. ErieMcDreary

    ErieMcDreary Medium Load Member

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    The first truck I drove was a 5+4 GMC. For the newb's, that's 2 transmissions, a 5 speed and a 4 speed mated. Giant PIA!! 2 shifters, one for each trans. The way you're taught to shift it is to stick your arm through the steering wheel and shift both transmissions together, using both arms. Check out the utube videos. When the linkage got worn it would lock up between gears. Then I drove a Mack, with the 5+2 speed trans. Again 2 shifters, but at least you only needed to shift the one, the other was just hi-lo range and reverse. Since then I've driven 7, 9, 10, and 13 speeds. Mostly 13 speed, which is my favorite. I've been driving a 10 speed for the last year, I hate it, and I still have trouble shifting it occasionally. I've found that you need to pause between gears, sometimes I don't get that pause right. Many times when I'm pulling a hill I just need a couple hundred RPM's a 13 speed hi-lo split would be just right. I have driven the newer auto shift (they are NOT automatic) transmissions, and some of them are very good, but they are very expensive to repair.
     
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  11. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    Why? Are you using all the gears?
     
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