Manual vs Automatic Transmissions

Another auto vs electronic shift thread. I have an 18 3 peddle electronic in the truck I have been driving now for almost 2 years, I shift it manually no problems. difference is I don't have the stick just a small shifter on the side of the seat. Hubby is getting a new rig with twin stick, he is going to have trouble in a couple months when I retire from longhaul OTR and start just doing oilfield local runs again, keeping me for taking his rig on him. My next truck twin stick 5 + 4 retire with what I started with.

 

I've been reading this thread and I just have a couple of comments.

As far as everyone wanting to throw manual shifting and auto shifting out there, which one makes you a trucker and which one doesn't, none of that matters. You get the load delivered in one piece safely and on time, that what makes you a trucker. I know I am new to OTR, but not new to trucking. I have driven dump trucks and lowboys for different construction companies throughout the years. I have also driven manual and automatic trucks in the military. No one cared what kind of transmission was in the truck, all they cared about what the load getting to where it was supposed to be, when it was supposed to be there.

As far as everyone talking about the newbies coming out of schools not knowing how to drive, every single driver in every single one of the posts on all the threads on this site have one thing in common. All of them started out as newbies that didn't know how to drive and what the industry was about. However, over time everyone learned about both and adapted to what needed to be done to make it.

 

I drove a truck for a while with an Allison in Alaska. Loved it. That is why if I get another truck, I will definitely be looking at the new TC10 they have for OTR. The previous version were not that ideal for full time OTR. Great for local, intrastate, and short regional. The TC10 is a whole new deal. I have very limited experience with the auto shift stuff, but based on the designs, I am not sold on them. That could change in the future. But for now, a true torque converter automatic from Allison would be my desired choice. Just watching side by side comparisons between it and an auto shift on holding 25% grades and also the down side of the grade convinced me to go Allison. One key aspect, is that the Allison also provides actual braking by the transmission to compliment the jake on the engine. Something that the auto shifts don't do.

As for the auto vs manual stuff, this all is pure macho trucker stuff. Those that have considerable time doing this line of work don't fall for that mindset. No matter what one pulls, being able to do the job smarter instead of harder is always a plus. And a lot of misconception about autos is tossed out there by folks who have no real experience with them. Kinda like those that throw out stuff about Elogs. Nothing is perfect for every situation, for sure.

 

One thing for sure though, what truck drivers think about manual vs automatic doesn't matter one bit. Do you hear me, it doesn't matter ONE BIT.

Because it's the college educated pretty boys sitting in their pretty offices who decide what kind of truck most truck drivers are gonna drive anyway. They just sit in their office and look at a spec sheet and put their figures in a calculator and decide what to buy. The college educated pretty boys sitting in their office don't give a flying fish what a super macho man supertrucker thinks and that he is worried that his manhood is threatened cause they assign him an automatic truck.

 

screw automatic for maintenance and parts cost. only noob who play ps3 use automatic. It's more fun to play with manual like my 10 sp manual.

 

Oh look everybody, another "If you aint shifting you aint driving" post. A 10 spd manual? Wow you use the same transmission as almost all the mega fleets. When are people going to act like adults, you just sound silly.

 

What do you expect. It was a fleet truck for Kinards. Bought this $10k that was stored in central pa for 3 years. Once I replace the clutch, I'm putting a 13 sp manual.

 

You'll never get your trucks stolen.

 

hmm if shifting manual make someone more of a man .. this is true ..this why it called :MAN-ual .anyhow,

is it possible to convert a manual eaton 10 speed to ...auto! or use something to make it shift like EU trucks ! can ZF trany swapped?

i thought of buying bullDog box gauge that tell the drive how to shift! but not sure the drivers i have can read i mean while driving etc