18 Speed

This comment stuck out to me. Im a local driver that is heavy 90 percent of the time. Traffic lights on steep grades, hills starting out all the time. Hills everywhere. I run a 18 speed in my 379. This is where you need and want a 18 speed. Only time i need to split gears is when im starting out where truck seems vertical like im in a rocket ship. So, how do you figure a 18 speed shines in otr? Why would you need one over the road. I do agree, 18 speed in every situtation. But local is where i would think it would "Shine". Otr drivers, just get up to gear and sit there all day long. I couldnt imagine driving like that but too each their own. 10 speed should be sufficient. Unless you have a turd of a truck like anything that came after 2017. Thats my opinion

 

Yeah but at an idle not much dust. But yeah it sucks unless A/C is off

 

I either skip and go a gear and a half or drive it like a 9 speed except for the last two on the hi side

 

I've got a 13 speed. Had to pull over on a 7% grade my first trip out, with 49k on the deck. Had to climb the rest of that pull in low.

Being able to split the low side would have helped there tremendously.

 

7% isn't even a hill when you're off highway but you're exactly right about being able to split the low side on a hill.

 

Because otr guys deliver and pick up in your local area.

 

Drive it like an 8 speed.

Unless you're heavy or climbing hills. No need to split or use granny gear.

 

I am an "18 speed in every application" guy. Its just my preference. I am like @jason6541, I start off in low gear all the time, Its just easier on the clutch and the drivetrain as a whole. I like to use the low side while rolling slow though parking lots and truck stops but I especially like being able to split the low side while rolling slow in traffic. It also comes in handy while navigating the craters and potholes in the dirt lots we have to park in.

I dont shift 1 thru 18 while accelerating. I start off in low gear and will skip up each gear until its time to select the high side and then I will split the high side when I am heavy which for me is in the 90,000-125,000 range. Now, when I am heavy like this I will split the low side because it is easier on the drivetrain. If i am bobtailing I will shift it like a 9-speed.

 

I do too. The more power your engine makes, the easier it is to grenade the drivetrain. I like to be easy on the drivetrain as possible.

 

Thats one of my pet peeves. Kills me when you hear soms of these guys that bring it up to 1500 rpms and slip the clutch on level ground every time they start off like they're in a Honda civic