13 and 18 speeds

It was a long slow pull up the Cascade grades w/ a 260 Cummins and triples pilgrim.

 

Oh I agree. But like I said, "oldest one in the fleet". All the other drivers turned their noses up at 'er. I took her as a loaner and demanded it as "my truck". Chased out a couple of electrical problems and it ran like a champ.

Lost the truck when I went to daycabs....

 

I drove a 237 mack with a 6 low hole, whats so impressive about small hammers, theyre slow and in the way. I could darn near double the production I got with that mack in the truck I drive now, its all hills and turns around here you want a big hammer this isnt flat land.

 

I got to drive my first 18 speed last friday (never drove a 13). I loved it. All I had drove before was a 10 spd of some sort or another. Being able to split in 200rpm increments (give or take) made it fun on the hills. It made it really easy to keep the lil kitty CAT in the power band on the hills.

It only took that one day to know that I would never buy a truck without an 18spd.

 

Drive that 18 without splitting the lower range. Viola. You're driving a 13.

 

Sure can't argue there! I always liked a 13, and like Injun said, just don't split the low side and that's what ya have. I think 13's are likely the most usable trans for most applications, OTR that is. I've got an 18 and really haven't split the lowside except for 4th gear, but will be playing a bit more with it this next few days. I do some offroad, and all my loads are at the least 120k+.

 

18 is for status only. ya drive in 12 th. I logged with 18 it was cool but to get 6 mpg i ran 12 direct. 13 speed is the way to go.Soon unless o/o you,ll be in a 10 autoshift

 

A 10 auto just won't cut it in Africa.

 

YES it will no choice

 

Kept meaning to catch up. I started playing with my 18. I have a particularly nasty right, uphill turn to make every day, from a stop. I started splitting 1-3 going around the corner, it works very well, thanks Carl. I do it everyday now, I couldn't imagine a 10 doing it this easy, sure am glad I have a "real" selection of gears now.