AMT vs. Fluid drive autos

We are pulling smooth bore tankers. I have only spoke with one driver that likes the AMT. I think there is no excuse for a CDL holder not learning how to shift. I don't want to be a steering wheel holder.... And that's what these things create.

 

Regardless how I feel I thought the Allison was a much smoother unit

 

Aren't fluid drives inherently more inefficient than automated manuals? More drive energy wasted as heat, resulting in lower MPG?

 

I really hate the way they back up. One of our experienced drivers recently bent up a trailer bumper. He was driving a nearly new t880 18 speed ultra shift. We have to go to a plant that involves tight backing. I think a manual or fluid drive offers more control

 

If that driver bent a trailer it was bent because that driver needs some remedial training, stop blaming this on the trucks tranny!

 

I don't know anything about the transmissions Paccar is running, but there is a good chance the "creep mode" is not being engaged or is disabled. I know with the current generation DT12, backing up gently and controlled is rarely an issue to manage. It's not as controlled as a stick and good clutch, mind you, but it's not ridiculously difficult or rough to manage. In fact, the "creep mode" happens automatically in our fleet and it just works.

Been in this auto a year now and have not yet found a dock that was difficult to bump gently.

 

Just for the record, I ME MYSELF, have driven autoshifts in some of places that were so tight it would make granny from the hillbillies go screaming into the night. A true professional takes pride in their job. they don't blame things for their failures, and neither should you!

 

Automatics have improved drastically since even 5 years ago, and they will only keep improving. It's the future. I prefer a manual because you have much more control, but I will not argue against an auto. They have some issues here and there for sure, but nothing absurd. Newer autos even come with a "creep" mode for reverse and forward.

Also, I don't think autos make a driver bad. I think they make bad drivers worse, and can make good drivers better. I've driven both, and the only thing that changed when I was in the auto was that I never had to focus on shifting and could instead put extra focus on driving and manuevering. For a bad driver automatics allow them to drive distracted much more easier. Shifting is fun, and gives a special "feel" to driving a truck, but it doesn't change how someone drives, or at least that's my opinion and stuff cause that's how it is for me.

 

At the risk of sounding cynical I think one of the largest things about the auto shifters is a driver can drive with music playing so loud it shakes the truck. To be honest driving an auto shift can tend to make you lazy in that regard. However I will say this. I have seen (and smelled) so many burned clutches over the years I have started thinking these auto shifters are better. Some people say you can't tell the difference between fried brake and fried clutch. That is an argument for another day. Cheers!