automatic or manual?

Automatics are nice for city P&D driving. Personally, I would never drive one with all the snow my region gets. I prefer to have complete control of my rpms when dealing with snow covered mountain passes. Aside from that, most tanker drivers I've talked to also refuse to drive autos as well (they time their up and downshifts based on the surge effect of their load). I'd go with manual till you have at least two years of experience with them. Most carriers either have manuals, or switching back to them.

 

Auto or stick, doesn't matter; go for the pay and benefits.

Just my personal opinion, but I'll take an auto any day over a stick shift. Many companies are going to automatics anyway now that the bugs are worked out and especially the fuel economy problems that autos once had have been solved.

Tyson Foods runs automatics and governed at 70 mph and from what I've read their trucks get good fuel milage.

 

Taking the manual will only reward you with practice of jerking the shifter back and forth..
Taking the automatic will reward you with comfort, less stress and speed shifting as well as equipment longetivity to your boss..

 

Many different opinions. I drove an auto when they were first coming out in mass quantities and they were horrible, jerky, slam into docks. Then I drove the new ones that are out now pulling tankers of acid 48 states and loved them; all weather all terrain.

 

Yeah, and maybe they have changed. I've driven an auto back in 2005 or so. My experience was horrible enough to where I won't touch one again.

 

Well, everyone has their opinion. I have mine. In my view, it is better to be jack of my trades (than master of one). Once you only know how to efficiently drive an auto, your job selection will be limited to carriers that have them. I'd try to be fully proficient on 8-13 speeds all the way before you go to auto. But that's just me.

 

I just got assigned my new truck a couple weeks ago.. a volvo automatic.... I wasnt sure about it, or bow it would be.. I actually really like it... on mine, I can drive it fully automatic or to where I shift through the gears my self.. that was my biggest surprise... I just figured and automatic was, neutral, drive and reverse... but, it isnt.. if I am in 10th and want to shift to 11 or skip to 12th I just push a button... even I full automatic I still have more control over the shifting then I tbought I would.. I just control the shifting differntly... I feather my pedal more..

It was wierd at first.. I was always going for the clutch and reaching for the stick.. lol..

It is a comfortable ride and far less fatigue... I easlily drive 10 hours, today I drove 10 hours and 39 minutes before parking for my reset... which, if I continue on this pace will mean a bigger pay check...

I dont think it will hold you back.. shifting is easy.. clutch neutral clutch gear... floating comes naturally over time.. and then you master skipping gears... and once you know it you will easily pick it up again if you get another manual..

 

Wyldhorses will be in hurry soon to tell you how awesome auto's are from watching YouTube videos