Automated vs manual transmissions. Which is better?

Yeah mega #### box fleets can go suck a big fat one. Brainwashed idiots they are.

 

We are about the same, I don't even care what kind of truck it is, I will just about always take the best available regardless of what emblem is on its hood or how it shifts. Don't care about duals or super singles, weedburner exhaust or color, never understood people that get so carried away by all that stuff.

Now lets make it interesting. If I were putting my money where my mouth is and actually buying a new truck. (Keep in mind I haven't been in a truck in almost 4 years) I think I would buy a Volvo, 10 speed Eaton, Detroit, dual rears. All the amenities in the back, fridge, microwave, massive mattress, etc. It would also be white, because white reflects heat, and this ex trucker HATES to be hot! Back at ya Moose, money where your mouth is what are you buying?

 

Buying a truck regardless of how it is equipped sounds too much like work! I'm retired now. I rather take some of that money and go sit on some warm beach and have scantily clad ladies serve me drinks!

 

Good Call!

 

AIT doesn’t exist anymore either. I worked there for years. Glad it’s gone. #### them.

 

When I became an O/O in 2018 I tried to order a new KW T680 with a 12 speed and the wait was 8 months. They told me I could get the specs I wanted with an automatic in 6 weeks, so I reluctantly said yes. Since then I've driven over 200,000 miles on it and for the most part love it. Although, I'm generally in manual mode on the highway doing my own shifting while adjusting the jakes, and leave in in auto around town and in traffic. The only time I really hate automatic is when I'm doing a lot of pull ups to get into a tight spot at a dock or a tight parking spot. The auto clutch can overheat and the air pressure can't keep up with all of the gear changes, so I have to stop and rev up the engine to build up pressure again.

 

To date no auto trans has been built thats is more efficient than a properly operated manual.

The mpg increase is a comparison to a improperly operated manual. Your also a cheaper employee with a auto restriction and stuck. All trucks are designed for fleets to dump at 500k.

Now tell me how great the 65k oil changes are.


With that said. If I didn't own it and was paid per mile. Auto would be my choice. Why would I care?

 

Not to mention fleets order everything sealed that they can. Trucks are lucky if they get greased every 50k miles. Fleet maintained should give you shivers down your spine and run into the night with terrors,

 

When I was over the road I preferred a auto most of your is spent going in a straight line. Currently local pulling 6 axle trailers with automatics and it sucks. Especially in Michigan with our Michigan lefts and round about popping up at every intersection. When dropping speed then accelerating again these truck have brain farts computing which gear it should shift too... if you get down to a coast and go to takeoff my truck will scream at 20 rpms and refuses to shift.. even if you press the lever. Another issue I don’t like is how little throttle response you get.. you only have throttle response once the truck is completely done with its shift whenever that is. And these truck have no sense of urgency... it shifts like it’s fully loaded whether it’s fully loaded or bobtail.. You get into some sketchy situations making a Michigan left and traffic is clear 10 seconds out then your truck decides it’s wants to scream and so you left off let it calm down then it shift super slow and you have no throttle until it’s done.. and we’re not even talking about winter.
For local every day driving I’d rather have a manual it’s a much more pleasant experience for me personally

 

I haven’t found an automatic yet that can shift better than most good drivers. Company spec autos are pretty awful and shift when you don’t want them to, plus they cost too much.