Need some advice on backing an automatic 17 international pro star

I drive the only 8 speed left in our fleet.

I don’t mind but I wouldn’t want to do it forever.

We drive ready mix and 10 yards of fence posts will have you wanting an auto for sure...

Now if I was still pulling tankers hell yeah I want a manual. Ready mix idc what you give me. I’m not climbing mountains out west. I’m climbing mud hills at 2 mph with all my diffs locked or driving through downtown in the worst traffic jam ever.

 

Sounds like a good time. I miss the hell out of my last company truck. It was a 98 pete 379, 300" wheel base, 7 inch straights, 18 speed, 3406b cat, wide open, with all the bells and whistles. Had the owner not retired and sold his small fleet of 6 trucks, I'd still be there. Now I'm whippin around town in a 2012 day cab T-660, 10speed. It's not nearly as fun and the hours can be hectic starting anywhere from 1-3 am. But I like being home everyday. Oh well.

 

Home every day is exactly why I'm not driving brand new rigs for a mega any more. I love where I live, it's a vacation destination, and I ain't getting any younger.

Seeing the Swan Mountains over my shoulder is worth a lot, to me.

 

2000 w900 here.

Was in a 1998 w900. I liked that truck more. Had the air cleaners on the side and the Jakes were so god #### loud. Lol

 

I hear ya on that. I'd take an "old school" turned up rig over a new truck any day, but that's just my preference. But as long as I'm home everyday, I can't complain about the equipment, as long as it's not a POS. I'll save my picky issues for when or IF I ever get my own rig. Stay safe out there.

 

I can understand the want for a new truck if you live in it...

But I don’t so I’ll take the 20 year old kw. My ac gets meat locker cold, I don’t have to put def in it and when I put on my Jakes a green light turns on above my head and calls me retarded.

 

I have the exact same problem. You cant back this thing on an angle greater than 45 degrees. I just backed up and my food (was in the closet) flies out of the closet, my dental floss flies 10 ft out the window. I'm scared to touch the pedal because even the slightest touch send you into and uncontrolled lung where are your cabinet are emptied onto the floor. Guys think I'm having trouble backing and tell me to hurry up. .5 miles per hour is maximum speed I can back up on an angle. And hell no not doing this on an angle uphill with a heavy trailer!!!!!!. Someone or something will get hurt! I've driven manual cascadias peterbuilts and none react like this. It is embarrassing and it gets worse with age. What the hell is wrong with this thing. Right now I am looking at my canned good rolling around my floor. This is not right and dangwrous.

 

Keep your foot on the brake for a second after you select R. Let it reverse on idle creep.

 

I currently run a '15 KW T680 with an auto.

I love that transmission! Eaton Advantage 10-speed with full manual mode. Even has a shifter stick to move it from neutral into drive, manual, low, and reverse with buttons on the stick to shift gears.

Yes, backing is a bit different than with a clutch. Gotta have a light touch on the go pedal to keep it smooth. On the other hand, it backs nice and smooth, and I don't slam into anything. I can hook a trailer with merest of "click"s everytime, and just barely kiss the bumpers on a dock.

Drop a gear or two and kick on the engine brake, never touch the brake pedal heading down hill. And never miss a shift climbing when heavy and the engine fan is screaming.

And as an added bonus, more floor space in the cab to move around in!

 

Youre not pulling a spread axle trailer are you?