Manual or automatics?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Driver Eight, Oct 29, 2019.

  1. Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

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    I hear you, I run two of them both Trks nearly identical gear ratio wise. And yes the second Trk is run by someone from an older generation. I would not feel comfortable putting a 21yr old in either Trk. It’s just concerning bc the industry had certain built in safe guards to keep unqualified drivers out. Shifting was one of those safe guards. For all the talk about safety they sure seem willing to put anyone behind the wheel. Who knows, it’s good and it’s bad I suppose. Upside being you only have two pedals to worry about instead of three.
     
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  3. Echo5kilo

    Echo5kilo Bobtail Member

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    To answer the OP's original question...If I was buying a truck I would buy a 379 extended hood with a 18 speed and a 6NZ CAT. 63 inch Unibilt standup. And I'd pull a West Mark food grade tank. All shiney n stuff. Legendary silver. I like that color. And as many red lights as I could stuff in that #####.

    My Boss buys Volvo 740's so that's what I drive. With a auto.
     
  4. Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

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    You drive a 740 Volvo with a auto trans, as long as it works for you and keeps everyone in the profit column then all is good. A solid truck is what’s important. I’m all about Shiny Buff. But at the end of the day it’s a work Trk.
     
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  5. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    I refuse to touch a truck with two pedals. It's not right.
     
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  6. Echo5kilo

    Echo5kilo Bobtail Member

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    Yes sir.
    There was always the reason why Peterbilt. Particularly the singular single guy trucking company. My grandfather was that guy. He was a 359 Peterbilt man. OEM and aftermarket always was and will be a Peterbilt first market. Trade in on a Peterbilt is still better than anything else on the market then and today. Peterbilt still makes a lot of sense to that guy. Your never ever going aero truck yourself into enough of a savings to ever offset the trade in that you would with a Peterbilt long hood. Particularly on a 3-4 year trade in cycle. Not going to happen.
    My boss 45+ trucks on the other hand leases these. The Aerodynamics are a thing. And we have stupid drivers that you couldn't put in a 389. They cant drive it. If they cant shift it they'll tear the hood off it.
    I have to say my boss is good to me. He had a firmer memory foam matress cut for this bed pan.
     
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  7. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Ya know in 30 some odd years of driving I have never pull started a truck. So I guess its just not a concern of mine. I would rather vote for fix the problem. Saying you have a mechanic with below par skills is a reason for which transmission to buy is an interesting take.
    As far as gear selection going down a grade all I have to do is select Manual then the gear I want to hold. So thats not a issue either. I find the auto down shift to be a useful tool to have available in the areas where speed is an issue. The I shift will down shift engaged the engine brakes and truck brakes if need to control speed.
    Personally for running OTR I prefer a 13 speed manual trans, but for running the local loads I'm doing now I'll be happy to keep driving the Volvo with the 12 speed I Shift, It shifts perfectly every shift, no complaints.
     
  8. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Even with a manual trans you have to pull the driveshaft or the axles, on different on a automatic, same issue.
     
  9. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    You don't have to remove anything to just move it or get it out from under a trailer with a manual.
    I don't think you have to an some of the autos either, maybe just the I-shift.
     
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