Automatic or Manual Transmissions

When I drove for a tanker company, they were shopping for new tractors so Freightliner & Volvo let them use a new tractor with automatic transmissions. They rejected the Freightliner and went with the Volvo with Volvo engine & automatic transmission. That was the best driving of my career. The automatic was great in all terrain, mountains, flat land, coast to coast & border to border.

 

But they cannot damage the transmissions and drive trains as easily the idiots in the standards.. we had an idiot completely burn the clutch out of one of our trucks pretending he was a mudbogger in our yard.. he was stunned and amazed that he found himself on the unemployment line the same day.

 

Some people just don't understand consequences. Their stupidity ruins everything for the rest of us who have to sit there and get the "don't do this, don't do that speech" after they do something like that.
I got a message yesterday about not clipping the wires to my transponder that tracks the trucks location.
Who the hell would be stupid enough to think they could get away with that?
What a dumb move....

 

It is the hillbilly "whoop whoop truck it" up portion of the industry.. they sadly will always be a part of the industry as they see this job as a job for morons and social rejects.

 

Well I have been driving a number of years. I am not at the point of needing an autoshift but this year when I was shopping for a new truck I test drove a 13 speed . Talking to other drivers an some company owners I know I went with a 18 speed with a clutch pedal. I drive mostly long haul but when I am home I pick up some good down home oil patch work just to keep in shape. Call me old fashion but I still need to have the clutch pedal even with driving the autoshift. I do not have to start in low I can select it to start in any gear I want. I have a 2012 Volvo 780, D16 575HP and I am lovin it.

 

Sadly, they're not the only ones who the job that way. But that's a topic for a different thread.

 

I'm a new driver but have driven an auto and stick. I prefer stick by a mile. The auto was jerky on start, never felt safe going down the mountains, a PITA to back with, and nobody will ever convince me that driving an auto is what driving a big rig is all about. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

 

I'm a relatively new driver. Been driving for almost 2 years. I just got issued a brand new auto kenworth T680. My only reply is I miss my last truck, which was a standard kenworth T660. This truck drives fine on flat ground but throw any uphill slopes at it and it cannot climb nearly as good as the 660. After watching it shift at the worst times (I.E. in turns, downhill to slow you down, etc.) Im concerned how safe it will be in snow and ice! Anyone have any experience with this?

 

Shut it manually if it's a problem

 

Most cars sold are automatics. Most SuperCars sold are automatics. Most trucks will be too.