what is better MANUAL VS AUTOMATIC?

Auto-shifts themselves do not make for better fuel economy, it is still up to the driver. If you mat it to the floor with either tranny you'll still get crappy mileage.
Manuals break down way less often. There is hardly anything to go wrong. Other than a poor driver that likes to ride the clutch to hold it on a hill while waiting for the light to change green.
My latest truck is an 18 speed Auto-shift. Generally I like it. But occasionally it does something stupid. I was climbing a big hill grossing 138,000 lbs. 10th gear was holding it just fine, then it got the bright idea that 12th was a better option. It barely caught it, then lugged down below 900 and gave up on 12th. Then it dropped it all the way down to 7th, screaming at 2200 rpm, then quickly went to 8th, and worked its way back up to 10th. Where upon I put it into manual and held it there to the top.

 

To stop roll backs from a dead stop, slowly ease off the clutch until you feel the truck grab then let go of the brake.

You will get shifting down. I was in your shoes 5 weeks ago. I thought about dropping the class because I thought I would never get shifting down. Constantly coasting out of gear, forgetting what gear I was in, etc. I stalled the truck at busy intersections a few times too. You won't become a pro shifter over night, it takes practice but it will become second nature to you during school.

 

ALL states are doing that and have been for years. It is a federal regulation not state.

 

I guess they're gonna get a robot to strap, chain, and tarp that load also, PFFFFFFFTTTTTTT, my *ss!!

 

From what I understand from the companies I've called its mostly going to auto these days. Melton, Western Express, Swift, Roehl, Maverick I think also.

 

Stay with a manual transmission, I have a 13 speed, always been a company driver for many years....the day they give me an auto is the day I hand them their keys. I've told them this also. I believe a company should offer both manual and auto if they just have to have autos , and it's a dam lie that every company is all going to autos, I have friends that drive for companies that offer both or manual only.

 

That is where you're dead wrong.

I had a 14 Cascadia manual. 1st 50k miles I got 7.37 MPG.
My new Cascadia got 8.01 MPG for the 1st 50k miles.
My numbers are from ECM d/l.

Same freight, same lanes, same company.

All the ECM downloads for all the trucks in the fleet confirm that the autos consistently get better fuel economy.

 

Don't worry about when. It will be beaten out of you when you get it just so. You will know it when you do.

If anything I have always been surprised that truck transmissions have not failed under a determined grind session shaving teeth in that box. Ive broken transmissions and final drives before but never while grinding out a gear as a newbie. Although it took low first once where it should have been 5th high. Instructor paled, grabbed the stick and told me to [badword]stop it right heah, dont do a #### thing with that clutch.

It is ok to struggle. you WILL get it. You have to.

 

Fuel mileage under auto was roughly half to one mile per gallon better average than me with a manual. Although in cars I have consistently exceeded the factory mileage average.

 

If your getting into trucking and don't want to "work" by shifting then why are you getting into trucking? Come on dude. I'm in an auto now and I HATE it. I feel like a freaking monkey in the seat. Everyday my inner truck driving man dies a little.