Fuel Mileage - Automatic vs. Manual

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by FloridaDudester, Jul 19, 2019.

  1. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    The DT-12 I got out of had 350,000 miles and it never had any trouble. It still basically new. One person say the hill GPS location is BS or over engineering. That information is what help the new AMT go uphill without shifting gears or it can change the shift point on that information. Remember the old first generation had trouble going up hill because they would up shift to early. Then it could not pull that gear. So it downshift.

    These new AMT have come a long way from the old Rockwell's that would fail after 7 days because you had to reset the computers.

    If you want MPG you have spec the truck for that like direct drive. That what the Detroit transmission is in 12 gear
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2019
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  3. FloridaDudester

    FloridaDudester Light Load Member

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    Brandt, what year was your truck with 350k on it. I will probably buy around 2016 with 400k or so. I know its a risk, but I can't see spending more than 65k (maybe a little less) on a used truck and can't wrap my mind around financing a truck, which I would have to do if I get a new one for $155k. That's why I'm concerned about if they have really come a long way in technology up to that point.
     
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  4. darknessesedge

    darknessesedge Medium Load Member

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  5. FloridaDudester

    FloridaDudester Light Load Member

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    I'm leaning toward freightliner Cascadia evolution with dd15 and dt26, mostly because of ease of finding mechanics
    and parts reasonably. However I'm open to suggestions.
     
  6. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Mine was 2017 but I got in 2016, I would think at 450,000 miles or 500,000 it would need a new clutch. I hear they are like $4,000 because of stuff it actually has for a clutch. The one I had was good but I never used one with lots of miles on it.

    I think they are a little slow shifting at stop lights. Lots of driver with manual transmission run RPM up to 1,800 for every gear so you get faster starts. I see the cabs lean or pulls as they shift each gear. You can't do that with the DT-12, it shift before that. Best thing you can do is test drive one and see what you think about it
     
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  7. FloridaDudester

    FloridaDudester Light Load Member

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    I'm sure you're right, since revving before shift burns more fuel and those autos are for fuel mileage. Even if they're slow, I'm 55, not 25 and in no hurry. I do need to drive one, though. I'm looking at maybe getting one with around 350k from Penske. To me, that's low mileage, and for well under 1/2 price of a new one, should serve me as a part year new driver well for a few years unless i'm just unlucky.
     
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  8. FloridaDudester

    FloridaDudester Light Load Member

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    Wow! I hadn't heard that, but that's serious spending.
     
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  9. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    That's 5k more than the rebuild of my old cat, for what that's worth.
     
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  10. FloridaDudester

    FloridaDudester Light Load Member

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    And 15k more than a cummins in frame
     
  11. MartinFromBC

    MartinFromBC Road Train Member

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    They are not even close to $25,000 even in Canadian dollars up here. Someone fear mongering maybe said that at one time, but it is false. Now maybe if it was coated in gold, and had a diamond encrusted drain plug it would cost that. But otherwise no.
    Canadian I was quoted for a brand new one, not just overhauled, $12,600 and Google tells me that is $9,594 American. Then if you send in the core you now have for a rebuild, you can get it done for about $5,500 Canadian, and sell it for $7,000, so that is another $1,500 off the original price. Yes I looked into, just incase I ever have an issue. I know that a rebuild is $7,000 from a quality shop, because I bought one a few months ago and have it sitting in the parts department i have just incase it is ever needed.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2019
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