autoshift and the newbie

thats good thinking, but USX is in the process of getting rid of the autos




American Trucker

 

That's the best thing, and most companies are getting rid of them. They are nice, and I miss the one I drove at a previous company, but I don't mind either way.

 

I drove an auto for a year and then got put into a split10....I picked it right back up so I don't think there is much you need to worry about.

 

I love mine 627000 mile no problems yet. Make city driving a breeze. I use mine to haul frac sand and haven't been stuck yet. The roads to the pads are better than I thought but not like a paved road for sure. But to answer your question yes I for one wish I would have bought a real truck first. However, like I said mine works fine. Not trying to find a job when that's all you have driven might be tough.

 

Manual trans is best....that way ya have somewhere to rest your wrist!

 

I recently talked with a number of the companies and prof drivers about this and they all told me the same thing. As a rookie driver stay with the shifter and clutch. The worst thing that you could do is take a job as a new driver with an auto truck. Say you stay five years with a company that uses auto transmission as a rookie and then you want to change companies and they give you a standard shift. You forgot how to shift. Now your in trouble and have to learn it all over again. I was told that auto transmissions were more for the experienced drivers that are getting ready to retire and just want to put there last few years in and not want the hassle of the gears just want to drive and put there time in. Now I may be wrong but it sounds like sound advise to me.

 

I wouldn't concerned with auto-shifting verse manual. When you are hired as a student, they'll stick you with a trainer for 3-5 weeks (depending if you get OTR or dedicated training). If you get a auto, don't worry (as long as the ratios aren't fracked up) it's just like driving a car. If you have a load over 20k pounds, just go slowly and after 3rd gear, take off.

On the other hand, if you get a manual, no worries you won't be using the clutch all that much. You'll be floating in no time, and only using the clutch for starting and stoppping. If you're trainer has a manual, he'll teach you everything you need to know.

You have to remember, if you're coming in as a student, the company knows that. Your trainer knows that. They aren't expecting you to be perfect; rather just have a good attitude to learn.

 

That is awesome advise!!!! I like that.