In all the years I have been trucking, one of the most common questions I have heard and have been asked by newbies and really don’t know how answer with conclusive feed back; "which transmission would you prefer?"
My first truck in 1958 was an Autocar (I was still a teenager) that had a 5 + 4, 10 speed that was similar to playing with two logs in a cramped space. The old Autocar was mostly off road, but ran many highway miles. My next truck was a a DiamondRio with a 10 spd split. The Rio was acceptable but if I was anywhere near a hill, I would wear out my arm yanking that sloppy old stick all over the cab.
My first KW 100 (COE) had a Road Ranger 10 that was great for the flat road work but the absolute ####* in the mountains. My first 13 spd (Eaton) was my favorite and still was on retirement. I feel it was ideal for any hwy. work. For about 30 years I bounced back and fourth between 13s and 15s. The 15 was a great all around tranny, I thought, but for highway in a modern tractor pulling 80,000; however, a 13 spd did the job just fine, in my personal opinion.
My next shot was with a Spicer 18 in a KW T2000. (In my estimation, they are completely over done & useless except for mountain work with a heavy load.)
**I have never used an automatic**
How would you guys answer the question or recommend to a newbie?
10spd - 13 - 15 or 18 spd
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Snow Walker, Mar 18, 2017.
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I've run 10's and 13's and the 10 auto.
I like the 13. It's pretty versatile for a typical otr mix of loads/terrains.
The auto I thought completely sucked. I won't drive another one.
The 10 is good for the training companies for obvious reasons but I didnt like it at heavy weights or in hilly terrain.
I'll take the 13 any day of the week -
In over 45 years of driving a semi,I'm pretty much in agreement with you.My last truck had a 15,good trans,but a 13 OD was always my favorite.Had a 13 direct for a couple of years,too,where you split under your top range.Automatic,in a big truck?What's that?
Bean Jr., clausland and Snow Walker Thank this. -
I guess it all depends on what type of hauling you're doing. For ordinary run of the mill OTR reefer work (45k # loads), I always preferred a 13, basically because of the half gear options on grades. I did run S/A Mack U models for a while, two had the Mack straight 5 (300 Mack), and one had a 10 RR. For the type of work we were doing, I didn't notice much of a difference, due to light loads. I'd go from 2-4-6-7-8-9-10 usually on the 10 RR anyway.....
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18, drive it like a 13 if you want.
bottomdumpin, sealevel, Mr Ed and 1 other person Thank this. -
I've driven more 10 speeds than any other type but if I were to spec out my own truck it would have a 13 speed.
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I prefer 18, but a,13 with low enough reverse isn't bad, either.
I'm happy with a good running engine no matter what the trans, and I learned on 9 speed Eaton and Meritor.Hammer166, Ezrider_48501 and G13Tomcat Thank this. -
I've only ever driven 15's and 18's. I like the 18 best. Drive it like an 18, a 13 or heck just stick to the H-pattern and split the top gear.
dustinbrock and G13Tomcat Thank this. -
I like a 13 speed because if you need just a little bit to crest a hill you can just drop half a gear. Same for an 18 I guess but in all the time driving them I never felt the need to split the bottom half. Seems these days the most common is the 10 speed which is what I have now.
G13Tomcat Thanks this. -
Depends on duty. Typical legal load, 10 works. I like the 13. 15 is Ok, I drive my 15 like a 10 but it is nice to have the low gears for starting on a hill , off road, snow or mud.
G13Tomcat and Snow Walker Thank this.
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