Anyone else hate shifting?

How does that 9 or 10 spd do if you have to start from a stop on a 8 or 9% grade with 80k#?

Not everybody is truckin the same way

 

To be honest, this manual v auto shift debate is getting tiresome. Each has its good points as well as bad points. On an auto-shift, if the settings are correct, you can do things like sliding recalcitrant tandems without the system locking down on you. The thing I hated the most about auto-shifts was how they would "jump" when attempting to finesse something, and I know of several people who had close calls coming down places like Saluda Mtn and Cabbage because they forgot to set the tranny correctly. Still, someone operating one is not any less of a trucker than that guy driving a 5-year-old Pete with teeth on the front. To me, shifting was 2nd nature, and I did it with little or no thought. I just thought I was better in control of my tractor when operating a manual.

I am going to repeat something I have written about many times already. Learning to operate a manual transmission is NOT about watching a tach. It is about listening to the sounds of the road and the engine. You can't do this jamming to music so loud that the cab shakes. I once talked to an old driver in his mid-80s about this. He likened listening to loud music while learning to operate a manual to a conductor attempting to conduct a large symphony orchestra through a complex piece while wearing headphones listening to Pink Floyd.

 

Minute in. This guy can shift, pro at work.

 

I drove automatic transmission buses for 20 years before I got my CDL-A and started driving trucks six years ago, and I won’t lie, it took me close to six months before using a 10-speed became second nature. But I did get used to it and even enjoyed mastering the skill.

Last December, my company replaced my 2019 International LT (Cummins X-15/Eaton 10-speed) with a brand new 2025 International LT (Cummins X-15/Eaton 12-speed Autoshift). I was ready to hate it, but after just a few days driving it, I was convinced that this was better in most respects. It’s particularly a huge improvement in rush hour traffic and any kind of stop and go. I’m also getting better fuel consumption (from 6.4 mpg in the old truck to 7.4 mpg in the new truck). And I can upshift or downshift as needed manually, so it’s not like I’m losing any control.

It’s not perfect, the reverse gear is a little too fast and it took a while to learn how to finesse it backing into loading docks. But that’s a minor complaint

 

So what happens if the truck you're driving goes down and the wrecker shows up with a rental that is a manual? Even if you prefer a auto I'd think you would want to at least know how to drive manual just in case. I've wondered about this ever since the auto only on CDL came about, I'm sure this has happened before.

 

A few MONTHS???? Even guys who were barely coordinated enough to walk and chew gum simultaneously could pick up the skill in a day or 2!

Ah, yes, THOSE were fun....

Sad. Very sad...

Only if you lack the coordination to float gears.

Gee, I never had an issue. You know, these trucks are DESIGNED to be able to do things like this....

 

So you're saying a 13 speed would be better? On a 9 or 10 speed, low range is low range, same as a 13 I believe,, except, I feel, with todays motors, there's no need to split gears once on the high side. I understand what you are saying, but not many drivers deal with a 9% grade with 80K, that's pretty steep.

 

While the newer motors are more capable in lower RPM ranges, I drive an old truck with an 18.

I like to keep RPM's in the 1700-1800 range. If I couldn't split, I'd be effed on the long hills. Either tach'd out, or luggin at 1350 RPM's, neither of which I'm willing to do.

Same thing on steep grades from a stop. I've seen guys start, try to shift, and lose it all only to start over again, then ride that gear to the top. Being able to split the low side makes all the difference.