My plan and i need opinions

especially if you use a micro wave--that will suck the batteries down very quick--and the more you do that--the worse your batteries end up--i think with a tripac you couldnt go wrong--saves idle time/batteries/fuel
its an expensive outlay at first--but well worth it

 

You shift an 18 speed just like a 9 speed ( low, 1,2,3,4 go to high range, 5,6,7,8 ). The differance is each gear has a high and low. You dont have to split each gear. Only if you need to. For OTR as 18 speed has little advantage over a 13 speed. You will hardly ever need to split the bottom 5 gears. Some times in heavy traffic at slow speeds you may be able to leave it one gear (say 3rd high split) where a 9,10, or 13 you may need to shift back and fourth between 3rd and 4th. One other advantage the 18 has over a 9,10, or even the 13 is its low gear. Its a lot lower (slower) than the others. Its not something you will need much but once in a while a real low gear is nice. Tight manuvering or pulling up out of a steep dock.
Finding a used truck with an 18 is not nearly as common as a 13. Most trucks with a 18 were either heavy haul or high end O/O trucks. Look for a truck with a 13 speed and I think you will be happy. If you find an 18 good but dont let that be a very big factor on your choice of trucks. 10 speeds are good trannys too. I love my 18 speed but I haul heavy (107,000lbs) and do a lot of off road. If I were OTR only than a 13 speed would be great. Again dont count out the 10 speed either.

 

Heavy?
That aint heavy
Put some weight on that wagon and work it

jk

 

A lot heavier than most drivers ever get to pull. I might ad one more axle and then I can weigh 117,000lbs. I have 6 axles now. The seventh get the 117,000. Thats a 159,200lbs of axles and only a 117,000 permit. Well thats the state of New York for ya. Go figure. Truth is the more we move each load the harder it is to get the rates up but I dont think the state will ever let us go heavier than the 117,000lbs.

 

i think the drivers of the trucks he works on have no microwave, tv, laptop i have to see it to believe it until then 3 days is unreal for me

 

Just saying dont let the fact that a truck only has a 10 speed keep you from buying it. If all else is good than go for it. A 13 speed is a real nice trans for OTR but its not nessany. An 18 speed is the nicest trans going in my oppinion but its definatly not nessary.