Manual or automatics?

Eaton 13 manual.
It cost me oil changes only in 1.8 mil miles on last truck and 1.4 mil on this one, both same transmission.
I'm getting great fuel economy, 8.8 mpg right now from Canada to Texas with 30k lbs in the box, 62-64mph plus 25 mph cold front winds pushing me south.

 

All depends on the driver. I have never really had a problem out of either one. The Ishift in the Volvo I am driving shifts perfect everytime.
I like running a 13 my self but this I shift is great in traffic, now that I run LA / OC. every day.
I drive a couple of Petes that had auto's and they were ok, far from perfect, would like to go into neutral when your trying to get it to back up.
As far as dependablitiy just depends on how you drive them.

 

The auto I had in 2001 required the truck to be off a minimum of one hour each 7 days so it can dump it's buffer. If it is never off (Team truck) then it will brick and need a tow to reinstall by software. It also needs to have a manual mode where you can force it to stay in gear all day upgrade or down without additional software time limits etc. It will featuer a method to shift with manually as well. Usually a paddle.

Got about 6.8 ish.

Now I would die with a manual transmission in my hand, either a 13, 15 or 18. It matters not which of the three to me. I am less concerned with fuel mileage going into winter as I am concerned with being able to buy 340 gallons every other day and 100 of reefer without limitation. I always fill at half tanks.

Get about 5.9 give or take one depending on situation. Anything above 12% becomes a fuel per hour burn problem.

There is nothing else expected or wanted in a auto. No collision radar. No satellite support for grades, no company imposed software lockouts or disabling of features etc. None of that.

The manual needs to be in a truck able to use it's full engine rated red line and a jacobs system. Not retarder. Speeds can be governed at 75 which covers 90% of the USA anyway safely. But the engine needs to have it's full range. No idle limits and a APU on there as well as a bunk heater.

Everything else will just have to take care of itself. DEF etc. Its pretty basic on my end, my needs. Unfortunately many trucks out there are not configured this way that I prefer. SO.... my options would be limited.

Now a little bit on me. Pending a important scan I may or may not get back into running medicine to support west coast teams and have been out of trucking since about 2010 more or less. And have had alot of other issues resolved along the way. I talk like i am actually rolling one now, but no. Not yet. Maybe. I already had a lifetime at this trucking stuff so Im old and set in my ways.

Finally but not least, the engine needs to be a minimum of 515 hp. Anything less is not sufficient. IF I get back into it sometime next year or later I know what I want and what the company will have to find a very old iron tractor in the back of the lot for me. And they will be happy to do it when the time comes.

 

I've had this company mandated auto for 600k now and I don't see it really saving that much fuel.
A good driver with the proper tranny can do just as well.
As far as maintenance/longevity, these are the Eaton 12spd Aecon.
They've done ok.
We have had multiple issues with something going out in them that causes a shifting issue when they're cold.
It'll try to shift 2,4,6,etc but can't get past 4. Hangs up and you can hear the brain clicking and trying to make a connection.
Mine is doing it now.
Sched to go in to the dealer next week for the fix.
Drop the tran.. replace a small simple pin.. put the tran back.
Simple... but a PAIN.
IDK if that's gonna be covered at 600k... I doubt it. It should be.
Its happening to multiple trucks one after another.

 

The US Army switched to automatic transmissions in tanks years ago, partly to make it easier to train new drivers, and partly because they’re more durable. They were tired of replacing clutches!

 

I understand they governed their tanks a little bit more since the days of German Cold war. Ive a tanker friend who was there talking of all out speed runs. But throw a track if not careful. (What is careful anyway...) I think they are cut down to about 45 or so which is more than plenty for battlefield needs.

The new tanks coming out in the trophy system and up-armored versions are looking pretty good. However I worry, the Russians developed a hypersonic 6 foot uranium rod on their ternimators designed to take our tanks out at 6 km if they can find one to shoot at from that far.

 

I'd be done driving if I had to run an Automatic. 18 or 13 manuals for me.


How much could the cost savings actually be one over the other?