10 spd vs 13 spd vs 18spd

They're going to automatic because the computer takes in to account road speed, throttle position, altitude, and about a dozen other sensors to choose the right gear for the conditions. Some new trucks also have GPS positioning involved so it knows when you're about to climb a long grade and adjusts power/torque on the fly. Experienced drivers claim they know how to get better fuel mileage with a manual, but time and again head to head comparisons show the auto gets better mileage for normal freight hauling. Not that I am a fan of auto's. With today's low rpm engines, a 13 speed keeps it in the sweet spot in a wider variety of terrain. The only auto that is remotely appealing hasn't crossed the pond yet that I've heard. It's Volvo's dual clutch auto...they are using it over in European countries.

 

Agreed. It allows for a stupider steeringwheelholder. Has nothing to do with fuel economy. One day they will outlaw manuals because "they are a distraction."

Some idiot will be flogging his meat, straighten out his toes, and in the frenzy of the moment forget where his brake pedal is, and slam into a family of 4. Some suit will claim that that "tragedy" wouldnt have happened if that steeringwheelholder had an automatic. In their opinion, all a driver should ever have to do is get in, and hold on to the steeringwheel. And your paycheck will reflect this.

 

I never drove a truck that "needed" a 13, the trucks that had them only got high gear split anyhow. Tens are just fine for 95% of driving. The only time a 13 has a real advantage is in mountain driving where dropping a half gear on a pull keeps it in the power longer. 18's are only an advantage in heavy haul.

 

I preferred the 13s when I was pulling weight up hills, dropping halves maintained speed better than when I ran a 10, in my experience...Got to drive an auto before I retired and OMFG, the way they take off is unreal, the space you need compared to a manual just to cross a street was very different...Again, in my experience...

 

I prefer a 13 for the split on the hills but I drive a Freightliner with a 10 which I have learned, that if I let it in high gear and don't get anxious to shift it will pull the PA mountains for the most part. Keep in mind I haul cars and am not grossed out at 80,000 either.

 

The reason most people want to have a 13 speed for most normal driving is because of the ability to recover from a slight speed loss going up hill, like if you need to wait for someone to pass you on the left and have to slow down a bit as he passes you so that you can then get over and over take the truck infront of you. It also sometimes allows you to maintain a faster speed because of the way the gears are split up. Say you are pulling a hill in a ten speed in 7th gear and you can still accelerate but if you try 8th gear you feel it lug too much to be ideal for pulling a that hill and you lose speed instead and you downshift back to 7th. That 400 to 500 rpm drop on the ten speed doesnt allow you to take advantage of the sweet spot as much. Now say the same thing is happening on a hill going up in 6lo in a 13 spd. You can speed up and shift to 7lo and that same 400 to 500 rpm will make the engine fall flat on its face, but since you can split, you put it on 6hi and now you pull the hill a little bit faster and depending on your load and such you might then be able to stick it into 7lo. It also helps when driving in slower speed limit areas so you can keep your revs where they need to be for certain speeds. All these ideas are dependant on other factors like tires sizes and all that, rear end ratios and such. But that is why it is liked more. I preffer the 18 or 13, but 10 speeds are not a problem. I dont need to race anyone up the hill, I just want to make it up without breaking anything. My old FLD had a 10 spd, 3.73 rears and a c12 Kitty Cat, got the job done just as well as any 5 6 or 700hp truck out there, it just did it at its own pace. Had over a million when I sold it two years ago.

 

10 is really all you need unless your heavy haul or in mountains but I prefer an 18 speed, extra gears if you need them, skip them when you don't.

 

I hate those hills/weight combos in a nine or ten where 6 is too high and 7 is too low

 

Simple solution to trans. without splitters. More H.P. These drivers talking about splitting the high side and the low side is kind of like running a set of sticks. Except there's four splits to each main box gear. Anyway autos yeah.

 

I drove 8-9-10 speeds for my first years in trucking. I bought my truck with a 13 speed and never regretted it.
I liked having the options with a 13 speed......especially in hilly areas......not just mountains.