Anyone else hate shifting?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by FredTheBasset, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:07 PM.

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  1. FredTheBasset

    FredTheBasset Bobtail Member

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    I could probably learn it if I practiced everyday for a few months, but I have no interest. Seems a needless distraction from the road.
     
    FredTheBasset, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:07 PM
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  2. nextgentrucker

    nextgentrucker Road Train Member

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    When I was in CDL school, I tried to learn manual, hardest thing I've ever tried in my life, eventually, I switched to automatic so I could just focus on backing and passing my test.
     
    nextgentrucker, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:17 PM
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  3. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    GREAT NEWS:

    Most fleets now are automated manuals.

    No shifting required!!!

    The fleets still with manuals mostly seem to be:
    • The off-road crowd (loggers, oilfield jobs, etc)
    • Heavy haul, multi-axle flatbedders
    • The auto haulers
    • Some tanker fleets
    Past all that -- it's an automatic world now.

    -- L
     
    lual, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:18 PM
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  4. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    You get used to it. It’s all we used to have.
    I still drive the KW, manual, leave the auto shift to others that can’t.
    IMG_9621.jpeg
    other two are auto, international 10 speed auto, Mack 12 speed
     
    Judge, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:20 PM
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  5. BlackjackCo

    BlackjackCo Light Load Member

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    I like to shift, took awhile to master. But now I've been in the automatic for 220,000 miles I find I love it especially in traffic. Rumor I hear is that before to many years it'll be almost impossible to purchase a new truck with manual. Just like it is impossible to get a pickup truck or car with one.

    If I was an o/o id probably stay Auto seeing that it gets an average of 1-2 mpg better fuel economy.
     
    BlackjackCo, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:25 PM
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  6. 77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    Manuals are still speced for heavy haul and construction. That's about it as far as I know.
     
    77fib77, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:30 PM
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    hope not dumb twucker and 201 Thank this.
  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Is that a Holland trailer?
     
    Chinatown, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:31 PM
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  8. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    yep, a stoughton. Got it and a roadway trailer.
     
    Judge, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:32 PM
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  9. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Shifting thru the gears is what makes trucking fun. Especially the twin sticks.
     
    Diesel Dave, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:36 PM
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  10. Buc

    Buc Medium Load Member

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    As Lee Corso used to say: "Not so fast!"

    I happen to know a lot of specialized modular trailer fleets (think video production and mobile imaging) fleets have 13- and 18-speed manual transmission tractors. I know that NEP in Pittsburgh (and I think Game Creek Video up in New Hampshire) has 18-speed sleeper tractors. Thankfully, mine is a 13-speed, though I used to split time between a 10-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic. For the jobs we do (read: the absolutely ridiculous backing/maneuvering jobs we have to do with these things to get them in proper positions), we need that mechanical linkage, else we may risk burning the auto-clutch. (It has happened before.)
     
    Buc, Aug 16, 2025 at 10:36 PM
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