To all experts Truck driver

Well, here's my take.

My company is giving me a new automatic tomorrow after almost a year of shifting a 13-speed. Almost no thought goes into shifting these days, it feels like 2nd nature... Listening to and feeling the truck, floating without looking at the tach, etc. I did drive an automatic once while I was in training back in school before I had taken the road test. My first thought was about how easily you could take a turn too fast whereas in a manual you know or have a good idea of what gear you should be in before you get there. This is what I remember as a brand new driver.

But, with that said, I did pick up shifting very quickly.

I then drove one for a couple weeks while in training shortly after starting with this company for reasons that had nothing to do with me, it was fine (except the clutches overheating after sitting stopped in construction traffic, and the way it upshifted with the jake on, oh and jacknife backing an empty trailer, it was jerking like crazy--had to give it enough to engage and that was too much).

I am also hearing horror stories about the automatics we have getting stuck this winter... And they all have duals on the drives while my manual tractor has super singles.

All in all, I much prefer a manual transmission and would hope the average driver would have the interest in being able to drive a manual transmission truck even if they prefer an automatic.

But I agree with the previous stated, it really comes down to personal preference.

 

I've been driving a truck for the past 11 months with a completely mechanical clutch, no hydraulic-assist, just a cable running from the pedal to the box. Any knee problems I might have are from being overweight for the last 15 or so years of my 30 year life, and the constant up-and-down from truck and trailer that being a flat-deck operator consists of.

Unless one is of the mindset that a transmission must be double-clutched through all gears up and down, rather than professionally operated via floating, I don't see how operating a manual, even a fully mechanical one, could lead to knee problems. A really good operator will barely even touch the clutch once they start out, because they won't be stopping at lights on the highway, just slowing down enough to coast in low gear until it goes green.

When I'm running in the city, yeah, my left leg gets sore in stop-and-go traffic, but it's called, build up the muscles with proper leg exercises and it won't be as much of a problem.

 

I love doing that every chance I get. It's somewhat amusing when the left lane is full of four-wheelers (because 'fast lane', right... 'fast'...) and I fly by them off the line because I slow down early and keep rolling. It's better fuel mileage that way as well.

Ok that doesn't happen if I hit low gear like you said, but I do that as well.

 

Yeah, where I operate out of, we have a lot of controlled intersections rather than exits and ramps. It's a really dumb layout (out of all the Canadian cities I've driven in, Winnipeg is the worst for this) but it allows for a ton of practice slowing down for lights.

It's a dying practice though. Most "professionals" these days are driving autos, and would rather ride the brakes to a full stop at the light in the left lane than slow down gradually and blow past the lineup when it goes green.

It's annoying too when I start slowing down, and all the four wheelers behind me get annoyed by the fact I start slowing down a half mile before the light, then pass in front of me and stop at the light. But when the traffic volume is just right, there are times when I can get from the terminal/yard to the customer, some 30-40 minutes away touching the clutch maybe 2-3 times in full traffic in the city. It's one of those feelings that makes me love my job that much more.

 

Yeah when the space you're making for yourself gets eaten up by four-wheelers lane hopping in front of a red light, that's not great. I try to be courteous by not slowing down TOO early when there's a right turn lane people behind me are waiting to get into. Sometimes I regret that when no one behind me is actually turning right at that intersection. Oh well, I try.

 

they both have there Up and DOWN side but after 8 years of manual. I like the Auto because it is easier

 

Drove Mauals pulling hot shot type loads for 20 years . The Manuals just were not reliable enough . Today is a different story The truck in my Avatar is a Auto and the truck I retook my CDL in was a Auto as well . I like Autos and cant fathom buying anything Manual .

 

correction .. a growing niche

 

bah!!! to all that nonsense above, you get a feel for the truck no need for all that. I like a stick but after 28years of driving I have to admit I am really liking the auto. the one draw back is icy roads, with a stick you push the clutch and the trans disengages during a wheel spin on black ice. with the auto you have to be more careful, I also find it much harder to get unstuck in the snow.

 

Maybe I'm just getting old...

I can't float the gears in a truck. It seems to take more concentration and effort than simply clutching it.

Now, give me a motorcycle and the story is different. Pop those gears, up or down.
I've floated in a car when the clutch went out for one reason or another. Try starting from a dead stop with no clutch, and just using the starter motor to get you going. I've done that with both cars and bikes.

Not good at it in a truck.

Both of my knees have had surgery to correct a certain condition in my early 20's.
The heavy clutch in a truck wears on the left knee to a great degree, so I look forward to an auto.
I just hope I get one of the decent ones. The Detroit seems to be about the best one out there these days.

Big trucks are sadly lacking in the transmission technology area, and has been forever.
20 years, at least, behind the times.