AMT lovers read this

I have driven everthing from a 2 stick mack (not vary far but still did it) 13,18 super10, 9's and I love my auto Volvo. And if your one of the one's that you want complete control it has a manual mode. I can back up with the ishift without it jerking at all. its smooth not like the eaton autos.

and I'm sorry but if something fails like it did to him. he should have pulled over and not waiting to see if it would fix itself he don't belong in a big truck. he could have killed his son and anyone else on that road.

 

I think Rank's point is that it went in to neutral in the first place. And you want to blame the driver.

 

yep I will. I learned along time ago "always expect the unexpected" he should have been going a safe speed to be able to stop it. what if a ujoint snapped? he still would have had to use just his brakes to stop.
and I have had a ujoint snap like that. just the other night coming across 64 in VA and I was at 78780 #'s
and stopped just fine

 

You can be ready for anything until it happens to you. Then lets see how prepared you are.

 

As Ratpack and Offroad have pointed out...........this was 100% driver error.I would have fired him after reading this.

 

And to add another X factor. Consider Auto's are all "electronically operated".

I was driving my personal vehicle (new Chevy Tahoe) in San Antonio some 5-6 years ago on San Pedro, near downtown on way to work. I noticed the light ahead went from yellow to red and to green then sort of went dead, then started flashing red, then about 4 seconds later, went back to normal operation.

And, at the same time, I lost the radio station I was listening to, and turned out all my radio station presets were gone, and the radio clock time was reset back to 12:00.

Some sort of solar flare or mild EMP occurred and messed with my electronics and the nearby traffic control panel(s). Later came to find out this was a very isolated incident as there were only a few reports of strange activity in the downtown area, but no noted problems, otherwise.

So, the point is, automotive electronics are susceptible to all sorts of problems when there is "out of the ordinary" electronic interference that I contend may not be so rare, and can occur anywhere, anytime. Granted such an incident could affect engine control as well as transmission control, and such a problem is going to be a real problem on a major grade ... the AMT is another weak link in the system that I just rather not have to be concerned about. Maybe they yield a half to 1 MPG better performance but I contend give me an 18 manual [and out of this 10] and I can do that too or come close to it.

I'm driving in a year model of the last manuals at the carrier where I am now. They started buying 100% autos in the last year or so. (They are not a "training company") If/when they try and move me out of this at trade-in time, and into an auto, I'll bid them farewell.

 

Hahaha it's alot harder to come to a complete stop on a hill than you think especially when you suddenly loose everything no matter how prepared you are.

 

How in the world is the electronics failing the drivers fault? So anytime a trucks electronics fail, you would fire the driver?

 

You missed the point
He should have stopped as soon as the issues started.Doesn't matter Amt or manual.This is why you tell newbees to allways have cool brakes in Hills.

 

Stexan,the situation you describe would leave your manual with a dead engine unless it was a mechanical engine without a electric kill switch.