To all experts Truck driver

Ain't that the truth. If there was a tranny for my Pete that shifted as accurately and smoothly as the Allison in my 2016 GMC pickup I would be switching. That tranny amazes me. Even towing it up shifts and down shifts perfectly. Better than I could with a manual and it isn't jerky either.

 

I like my I shift truck but I dont consider it to make me less tuned to my truck. I watch RPMs and I'll assume manual control if the situation warrants it.

 

There is one, it is called an Allison.

 

If every new driver learned to drive on an old 5 speed mack we would have a lot less steering wheel holders and more drivers

 

I wouldn't want an automatic. Some states are starting to ask if you have an auto or not. If you do, they'll restrict your cdl to only autos. Then if you want it removed, you have to take a new state road test. I asked TN about it, and that was their response.

Think this way:
Auto restriction on cdl, company puts you in a non-auto, and you get stopped by dot before restriction is removed.....set up for failure already.

Times are changing, gov't hates truck drivers. Life will be harder, before it gets better. Just use what YOU feel comfortable with.

 

You are darn sure right about the govt hating truck drivers. But then, the govt hates everyone. Every industry will swear the govt hates them the most.

 

I'll tell you this as I have driven both, most of my time in an automatic.

Automatic...

Pros: No shifting, better fuel mileage, no learning curve, good up a mountain, city driving piece of cake

Cons: Harder to control speed, Freightliner autos SUCK, may handicap you starting out

Manual...

Pros: THE STANDARD, easier to control speed, nostalgia lol

Cons: Shifting, city driving, downshifting up mountains

All in all I would say atleast learn a 10 speed because it is still the standard. Most the smaller companies that pay really good still use 10 speeds. The big companies are going automatic NOT FOR THE DRIVERS, but because of FUEL MILEAGE. It's saving them money to go auto. I'm in an automatic now and I requested it simply because I've been driving one for 7 months with my old company. If need be, I will shift tho. I floated gears the whole way on my road test and I considered myself rusty then. It's about what works for you. The old heads and super truckers will recommend manual because that's all they know. People don't like change and that's fine.

 

Backing an auto is tricky, but it can be learned.

 

Peddling food all around nyc I liked the dt12 with the 505 dd15. Pulled quite a bit better than our 10 speeds. If I was running the road instead of LTL I would take a standard any day. I wouldn't say the dt12 sucks, one truck I was in had 8.1 avg over 38k not even broken in yet. Direct with 2.64s or 2.47 is a fuel sipper

 

Well put