Automatic Manual Transmissions vs Manual Transmissions

Pretty sure he meant to engine brake,.. but in reverse?

Too fast in reverse? Is the splitter on the high side or what?

This is an honest response,.. the go pedal has more than an On/Off switch. We've all seen the drivers out there,.. constantly on the brake because they lack the ability to properly judge distance and just cruise. And when backing,.. the finesse between right foot and left foot is where an experienced trucker thrives.

Hurst

 

I highly doubt that's what he meant. Even if he did I'd still be scratching my head trying to figure out why you need an engine brake in reverse.

 

probably for the same reason some need an engine brake for 1st gear in the truckstop parking lot.

I guess.

 

I added some more to my post,.. sometimes I like to ramble on in my head and then think,.. yes,.. I should add this. LOL

Hurst

 

I cant use mine in 1st or 2nd,.. I'd end up breaking a driveshaft or sending my load through the headache rack.

Hurst

 

Maybe he thinks you just drop the clutch and go? Nothing wrong with feathering the clutch a little in a tight spot. I find automated manuals to be a complete PITA for backing up. No precision or finesse with those.

 

Last summer I had another driver approach me and asked if I would help him slide his trailer axle to get it in the right pin hole. In my mind I was thinking, what kind of idiot cant get his trailer set in the right hole?

Well,..

He asked me to get up in the driver seat,.. and then to my horror I saw no left pedal and no stick. I felt like a hungry infant being held close to his fathers chest.

He said,.. put it in reverse,.. I sat there for 5 mins and could not figure it out. Finally he came up and showed me how to change to reverse. Thats when the fun really began. I'm holding the brake and then stepping on the gas to get it to move,.. it shuddered,.. then it lurched,.. I hit the brake and it completely passed the pin it needed to go in,.. and it had a mind of its own,.. and continued with more pedal even after I hit the brake and took my foot off the go pedal. In my mind I'm screaming WTF? This is an accident waiting to happen.

I was in complete horror and embarrassed as I felt the eyes of everyone there in the truck stop watching me looking like a complete rookie idiot trying to slide the trailer. It was impossible to get it to slide just one pin hole. Through some insane finagling we managed to get it into the pin hole he wanted. I jumped back in my truck and left in case when he went back to scale it needed to be moved again. That was my experience with an automatic and you guys who like it can keep it. I was completely embarrassed.

Hurst

 

They get to interpret and misinterpret the rules their way, it's best not to give them any ammo to work with.

 

Sounds to me like you look at your feet when doing the above mentioned.
Hence the lack of concentration.

 

Back to the orignial post.

When you pay the bills for repairs and associated downtime you will understand why an experienced owner operator would choose a manual.
They are much improved since 1st introduced 10+ years ago, but still can be much more expensive to maintain, especially as the truck goes over the million mile mark. My 13 speed has 1.6 million with just oil changes and 2 clutches.