Automatic or manual?

The fact that you orientated 75 new drivers in such a short time tells me just why megas order autos now. And have heard the reason why from two safety guys from very reputable companies. Increasing driver pool. First and foremost.

 

Sure, what's average turnover now? 80% 90? Higher?

Shifting isn't difficult to teach nor to learn. Seriously man, if I can learn to double clutch and float smoothly, then anyone can.

 

Well here's the truth about automatic transmissions.

The Fleets do not buy them because they are better. They buy them because they have more reasons to buy them than not to buy them.

For example, no offense to anyone but a mega can put anybody with a CDL and a pulse into an automatic truck.

Next is fuel mileage. Automatics are not better on fuel than manual. Although they do get better fuel mileage. Why is that? That is because drivers or I should say especially new drivers don't know when to shift for fuel economy. So with the latest dumbing-down of trucks, the computer decides when to shift. It is sort of like a backward insult.

The next reason is because one of the biggest expenses that trucking companies have during the warranty period until they get rid of the trucks is clutch and transmission issues along with Driveline issues. Again, it is the dumbing-down of drivers. The computer make sure the truck pulls out smoothly. The computer make sure the clutch isn't popped. The computer make sure the clutch brake isn't hit while the truck is moving. The computer make sure the driver doesn't Jam gears like an animal.

So it is not that they are better by a long shot. It is the lesser of two evils.

But if you are an owner operator, unless you have knee issues, the cost of an automatic versus a manual over the life of the truck is astronomical.

A manual transmission will never let you down because a wire got rubbed somewhere. A manual will never let you down because one computer stopped talking to another like a bad marriage. A manual will never let you down because a stupid solenoid doesn't work. A manual will never let you down because there is a bad ground somewhere. A manual Will Never Let You Down because of electronic Gremlins that come and go as they feel like it as you shell out more and more money and the mechanics tell you they can find nothing wrong but pay me anyway.

Computers and all of the electronic nonsense whether it's on a transmission or whether it's on an engine is the stupidity of mankind.

Nothing beats a mechanical engine and a manual transmission.

 

I thought about buying a auto because my dog keeps stepping on my shifter boot and we could use the room, but then I figured the old boy only has three good riding years left, then what would I do with the pos?

 

Manual 18 speed, manual 15 speed or Allison. There are no other options.

 

How many trucks in your fleet? 35? If so, that tells me your company is at 100% turnover.

Buying an Emissions truck w/auto transmissions is same as buying a Chevette in 1981. Throw away pos.

 

My brother-in-law caught a ride from a dealership to his company office with a new hire driver. The guy never put the transmission into low range. He just feathered the clutch a lot, until the truck was rolling fast enough and just drove it like a five speed. It was a 13 speed.
In law reports this to the boss, whom just shrugged his shoulders and said “he’ll get the hang of it”.
Ten days later they had to put a new clutch in it.
All of their new trucks are now autoshift.

 

Over the years, I've ridden with guys who use the clutch as a "hill holder". They'll sit on an incline and just feather the clutch with no brake pedal to keep from rolling backwards. Some of them, I would try to explain why "that is not good", others, I would just sit and bite my tongue...
The last truck I drove since new with an 18 spd had 535,000 miles on the original clutch when I left the company. I started driving my first automatic back in the summer. I wasn't sure at first how I would like it, but it's GREAT! I was a little concerned about maintaining control on slippery roads, but so far, no complaints...Off-road backing can be a little weird sometimes