18 gears. WTF Chuck?

I was listening to Kevin Rutherford a while back on my satelite radio. He seems pretty smart, but most of the stuff he talks about regarding engines and transmisions goes way over my head, so he may be full of B.S. for all I know.

But he made a good point: Since drivers spend most of their time driving in top gear, the number of gears in a transmision is somewhat irrelevant when considering fuel mileage.

So my question is, what is the advantage of a 13 or 18 speed over a 10 speed?

 

Less wear and tear on the transmission while hauling heavier loads. Although some dispute that.

Nothing like trying to get 79K moving in a company spec'd for fuel economy POS 10 speed.

Rev limiters usually suck 10 mph off a truck in a hard pull, when downshifting from 10th to 9th.

 

13 can split the top gears and an 18 can split all gears. 10 spds are great for new guys...lol

It all depends on what you haul and how heavy. I know guys who run 10spds and haul heavy all the time. Personally I wouldn't want one doing that.

 

We haul heavy all the time (10 speeds).... I hate the thought of even having to stop, and restart the SOB. We're geared waaay to tall, and our shop scrap iron pile proves it.

 

I knew a guy who was looking at a truck with a 10spd. I told him forget it with the heavy stuff we was doing at the time. He got it anyway... and hated it.
The 10 spd is great for regular 80k gross stuff but not much heavier unless you are geared right. I will say the 10, 9 and 8spds are durable.

 

I remember when 9-speeds became available. We preferred 10-speeds because the 9s were too fast in reverse. One of my co-workers bought a 9-speed figuring that he seldom used low gear in his previous 10-speed. He regretted it.

 

18 speeds are great thats all i use, i usally gross 65,000kg / 143,000lbs. If I start off on level ground I use every gear in the low box and then skip a few in the high box (use it like a 12 or 15 speed) . If I start off on a incline I use every gear (16 to 18 gears). If I start off on a decline I skip every second gear or so (use it like a 9 or 10 speed)

 

I'm using every single gear (starting from LOW) every single time except when bobtail. I'm doing this in order to get 1 milion miles out of the clutch. It might be surprising to some, but that is exactly purpose behind 18 speed transmission.

Don't try it driving local, people would shot you down

 

18 and 13 shift faster which makes it easier to keep your momentum going also helps to keep the engine in its narrow power band. Would not trade my 18 for anything.