Abilene Motor Express....A New Place To Call Home

Are the trucks automatics?

 

Yes....the whole fleet.

 

Don't forget Canada

 

Do you like them? I've read a lot of horror stories.

 

all the horror stories come from people
A. that have never driven one and heard from a guy that heard from a guy
B. have not driven one since 2012 many early versions like anything had problems
Eaton has committed years of money and time to perfect these
the KW has eaton trannys
Freightliner has a package of a Detroit engine with a DD12 tranny made by Mercedes a marvelous combination
Since 1976 I have heard that power steering was going to ruin trucking
airfoils would not increase mpg and split rims were the only safe wheel
new technology scares people
There is no mountain or weather I have been in in the last 5 years that the automatic made worse

That said you better know how to drive a manual

 

Pete's right. I've been out here 37 years, driven every transmission made, the best for me is a 13 speed, but let me tell you this, nothing beats an auto at 7am coming through the GW bridge while drinking a coffee in your right hand instead of grabbing gears.

I'm old school, but not too old where I don't accept change, contrary to what you've heard, the auto is just fine.

 

Average number of weeks of training?.....

 

That all depends on you. If you get it faster, shorter training. If it takes you longer, the opposite. They work with you-to a point. If you just ain't got it-you ain't got it.

 

2 to 3 sounds good.

 

Your making me misty eyed, split rims and always being parked next to the truck with an air starter that didn't quite catch! Where did my youth go, lol.