10 Speed Trans vs 13 Speed Trans

Most use 10's....(Melton uses 13's)


The difference...with the 13 you split the top side gears.

 

Actually, many of the training companies are going with 9 speed trannies. Basically a 13 without the top split gears.

 

Dang you guys beat me to it...

 

I believe a 13 is a little better for pulling grades.

 

Absolutely, YES, Confirmed, Uh Huh.

In case you can't tell, I totally agree. I've driven 9, 10 and 13's all at 90k - 105.5k gross over Hood mtn in OR. 13 spd wins hands down due to control.

 

learnt on an 18 speed but drove it as a 13. Loved it.

Did a road test for a company monday, 10 speed. What a gem that is.
Got on though so that is the good part.

 

Road truck? 13 spd hands down!!!! A logger or other off road an 18, just for the low side split.

As I type, I'm still in a straight ten. They're just alright, but really lack when pulling hills/mountains.

 

A 13-speed is my favorite, for all the reasons listed by hands above... most companies offer 9-speeds, Straight 10s or Super 10s (I'd say the majority nowadays are Straight 10s). Not impressed with Super 10s, especially if I'm heavily loaded and pulling any kind of grade from a dead stop...

If I were ever to buy a truck, I'd pick a big ol' Freightshaker Classic XL (solely for reasons of comfort, before any Pete or KW fans go off---I like those trucks as well and they offer a better ride, but the XL wins in the living room department, hands down---means I'll be comfortable when I'm broken down at the side of the road ), with a 470 Cat (good compromise between power and fuel economy---my old 470 pulled a grade as well as most 500s) and a 13-speed transmission.

 

As a general "rule" a "straight" trans (10, 15, etc) will drop around 500 rpm between gears while a "splitter" (13,18) will drop 250 rpm.... thus keeping your engine in the "sweet spot" longer.

Back in "the day" when we ran 318s and 350s engines were much "peakier" in terms of rpm and torque range and we had need of more gears than y'all do today. But man, it was sure nice to flip that splitter button, lift yer foot for a second and motor on. With a good driver you never even heard the exhaust note change.