Automated Tranny Pros and Cons

Europe is not like US, owner operators are rare animals. The laws and rules are much harsher on truck operation and the broker system does not exist there so it's a whole different situation.
In Europe today almost all trucks are amt's, i really mean almost all like 98%, and manuals have been fading out for 15 years.
Then again, for at least the same 15 years hardly any trucks have been fitted with drum brakes it's all discs. Which have loads of benefits but are slow to catch on here.
It's not better, it's not worse it's just different.

 

Sounds like one of those blowhard "automatics are for wimps, no aero trucks, have to sit on the floor, I am going to beat my chest" knobs that you hear at the travel center lunch counter telling everyone his opinion while the people around him just roll their eyes.

 

That's why I never sit in the driver's section.

 

Thanks for your input... /s

Now, mind if the rest of us pick and choose the trucks that we prefer without your judgenent?

 

Similar to the Maxbrake on Mack's M-drive, just don't do it while bobtail

 

YOu might want to check the manual for it. I drove a I-shift Volvo last week and it automatically applied the engine brake 3 mph above the cruise speed. See if it has the hill descent control, it works with the cruise control.

 

it's all about the driver, never had this problem with my M-drive Mack

And yet in 120K on my M-drive, I've yet have a KABOOM, unless I jam the throttle to the floor, I can gently back under and lightly click the pin. I guess it's all in how will you are to learn.

Never done B-trains, but it's just like all the crying about slamming docks, GENTLE on the throttle, if I don't give mine a touch of throttle while backing, it will come to a stop.

 

I have an harder time getting 3500+ a week with elogs in general

 

I'm about to pickup a new Cascadia with the 18 spd Ultra Shift Plus MXP. I haul super-b trains. Guys say the new generation auto shifts work great. Now you can idle and it will keep moving until you touch the brake.

 

My big question on the auto shifts is durability. How many miles do you get out of one before your out of pocket for an overhaul? I mean I can make a manual last a 1000 years.