Today, probably the scariest ride of my life bobtailing.

I'd rather bobtail in a manual and risk end up in a ditch than let an automatic truck do the thinking for me and surprise me with a sudden gear shift which has the same outcome.

Autos are crap when it comes to tractor trailers

 

That has always been the case for at least as long as I've been trucking...in fact the federal regs REQUIRE you to shut down when the weather is bad enough.

§392.14 Hazardous conditions; extreme caution.

Extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions, such as those caused by snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke, adversely affect visibility or traction. Speed shall be reduced when such conditions exist. If conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the operation of the commercial motor vehicle shall be discontinued and shall not be resumed until the commercial motor vehicle can be safely operated. Whenever compliance with the foregoing provisions of this rule increases hazard to passengers, the commercial motor vehicle may be operated to the nearest point at which the safety of passengers is assured.

 

I can tell you for a few weeks. I got to see it a lot of nights. And it sucked everytime I got see it.
Almost got hit head on in 1996. Guy driving a Cabover Pete. Hit some water and did the same thing. Here I was loaded and no where to go. See the owner of the truck that evening. Asked him if the driver needed new shorts? He laughed and told me... OOOOHhh that was what happened to him. He pulled the truck back in the yard. Cleaned it out and left.