Are "manual transmissions only" types of drivers supertruckers?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Jbrow327, Apr 29, 2022.

  1. ad356

    ad356 Road Train Member

    2,138
    3,178
    Mar 13, 2017
    0
    If you cant shift you shouldn't be doing my job, hauling milk 107k gross weight. If you dont know how, learn it. My boss thought he was going to convert his fleet to autoshifts. He's discovered the autoshift are less reliable, more expensive to repair, dont back well with a heavy load, no one will refuse to drive a manual but quite a few refuse to drive an autoshift.

    He's last 4 new trucks have all come with 18 manual transmissions, including the brand new t880 sitting at the yard. T880 18 manual Cummins x15 565hp
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Geekonthestreet

    Geekonthestreet Medium Load Member

    344
    585
    Jun 27, 2021
    Chicago
    0
    UPS tests on a 10 speed so maybe the teamsters are all super truckers???
     
  4. Jbrow327

    Jbrow327 Light Load Member

    140
    83
    Sep 28, 2019
    0
    They sure drive like supertruckers.
     
  5. Bret1984

    Bret1984 Medium Load Member

    450
    731
    Mar 4, 2020
    Fort Worth, TX
    0
    It's personal preference. I personally have had more issues with automatic transmissions than I have with manual transmissions. As such I personally prefer driving with a manual. It's not an ego thing just a personal preference. Also I don't want to get too used to an automatic then when I go for the next job get re introduced to a manual where I run the risk of potentially grinding a gear or two after being on an auto for too long. My company has both. They gave me an auto but I keep asking them to switch me to one of the manuals. They keep saying that shouldn't be a problem yet here I am still with the auto. I'll email my manager about it again tomorrow.
     
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

    27,627
    144,554
    Jul 7, 2015
    Canuckistan
    0
    "Supertrucker" seems to be a term thrown around by those who feel intimidated by the success of others.
     
  7. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

    4,126
    12,590
    Feb 13, 2010
    twin cities
    0
    And all this time I thought it was length of the chain on the wallet
     
  8. Bret1984

    Bret1984 Medium Load Member

    450
    731
    Mar 4, 2020
    Fort Worth, TX
    0
    The auto I got in this KW is pretty good. I actually like it better than the Volvo. It's like the Volvo when you push the P+ button but all the time.
     
  9. Around the block

    Around the block Bobtail Member

    12
    33
    May 6, 2022
    0
    Automatics are good for certain segments of this industry. If you're doing city work all day hauling around 130,000 lbs, many drivers do prefer automatics after they've experienced the ease, instead of spending literally every two seconds of a 10 hour day shifting an 18 speed.
     
    Another Canadian driver and alds Thank this.
  10. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

    12,524
    25,688
    Sep 18, 2009
    Memphis, TN
    0
    I had to back this drivers KW not long ago. Is there a way to back it so it goes slow and smooth as opposed to the "throttle then brake" repeated motion?
     
  11. Bret1984

    Bret1984 Medium Load Member

    450
    731
    Mar 4, 2020
    Fort Worth, TX
    0
    Mine doesn't require any throttle. In fact I'm riding the brake while backing. However I did drive a KW before like you're describing. Give it plenty of gas to get it to start moving then it jolts once it decides to move. Pain in the rear but you eventually learn to just gradually ease down on the fuel pedal just the right way to start accelerating smoothly. However the truck I have now is spec'd more heavy duty as we're a heavy haul company with a dry bulk division so it starts going right away and you're just riding the brake.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.