Companies running automatic transmissions?

Love the AUTOMATIC in my Motor Home , few days driving it and the BIG TRUCK feels strange

 

They're the autoshifts without a clutch pedal. They put them into "gear" and step on pedal. The engine revs but the truck doesn't move so they go back to neutral. Then back into gear and try it again. It's almost like a go kart and a centrifugal clutch. As far as my comment regarding the cold I didn't mean the cold was affecting the transmission. What I meant is when I put my truck in gear and let out on the clutch it moves. If it doesn't the clutch is gone, someone stole the drive shaft or I forgot to start the truck. The auto shift trucks raise the doors and play the shifting game while all the heat is rushing out of the building. Doesn't matter if it's Maverick, Hogan, Swift - Freightliner, Volvo, KW new or old they all sometimes play the guessing game on when the transmission decides to go. A friend has a few Mack dump trucks with Allisons and they don't have this problem and neither do I with my 13spd.

 

I have no problem putting my autoshift in gear, I put the clutch to the floor, move the selector to the gear, usually goes into gear within 3 to 5 sec., then I'm on my way. Except for those occasions when I get lazy and forget to push the clutch in far enough, then the trans flashes an "idiot" light at me, which I deserve for being an idiot with the clutch. The big thing is, we have to differentiate between an autoshift and a clutchless ultrashift, they make a big difference.

 

An autoshift with a clutch pedal would be ok, it's the others that seem to have the issues. My dad wants one, he hauls grain and is getting LAZY!! We put air cylinders on the hopper doors and I had to put 2 video cameras on the trailer. (one so he can see to load without getting out of the truck, and one under the trailer so he can see it dump. So between the high side trailer so he doesn't have to tarp, air doors and video cameras he doesn't get out of the truck except to eat, now even shifting is becoming a chore.

 

One reason for automatic transmissions is economics. Tour busses are now 12 speeds. Fuel economy is the new king. I like driving a stick, but I understand the logic.

 

Today, at orientation a driver failed the driving test for the third time. He used to work at USXpress. He didnt know how to shift. Careful what you wish for.

 

Heard USEXPRESS is going back to manual trans with all their new trucks , too much hassles with the automatics

 

You know, the Air Force trains our guys with both Automatic and Standard. The reason they started buying Automatics is because these new Pansy ##### kids never learned to drive a stick and it's cheaper for the AF to buy these rather then put new Transmissions in every other week. Now, for us older guys in the AF, we learned on the good old 13 speed. I can still remember being a 19 year old "know it all" and being humbled by a truck that I had no clue how to drive. Grew up driving Manual diesel pickups, but no comparison to these big rigs... Hopefully these companies will get their head out of you know where and go back to strait sticks.....

 

Give me a 13 or 18 spd any day! I had an auto for my 2.5 months at USA truck and really enjoyed the vacation. Although I will own up to holding my arm down in towns to "pretend" I was shifting lol

I get a real satisfaction floating my 13spd as I know it's taken a lot of bad shifts to get the skills I have. Also, the boredom/fatigue was higher in an auto when all you have to do is set the cruise and drone down the road at 60mph, I had h3ll staying awake!

 

Ummm... do you guys suggest the people driving auto pay for trucking school again to learn stick? I mean it seems strongly encouraged people learn to shift manually, but I'm not really into paying for another trucking course or renting a manual.

And yes I passed in Fort Wayne and my job placement was with PAM so I've driven autos since then.