Automatic Quirks

I just ordered a truck with a 13 speed manual. Was wondering if I made the right choice not going for the auto.

 

We had one older automatic truck in my CDL school fleet (not used for training) and I got a chance to drive it around the yard one day. You only used the clutch to start and stop. If you went really light on the fuel, you could get that thing to buck like a crazy beast. And I mean it bucked wildly, too.
When it bucked, it would knock you back in your seat, your leg would jerk back off the fuel, then when you compensated your leg was jerked back forward. This caused a fuel pedal and foot and leg feedback loop. It was like a carnival ride until you got it figured out. That was bobtail. Probably better behaved with a load.

 

That was a first generation auto. Now, no clutch pedal and they made them a little easier to back to a dock.

 

Is it too late to change it??? Now a days you get better fuel economy with the automatics also.

 

Been driving auto every since I got my license. Its going over 8 years. The only time I drove a manual, was in school.

 

Nope. The dealer just took delivery from Kenworth yesterday. Well, it was a 4k upgrade anyway.

 

The one I drove , a fully automatic, had a quirk....Never set the parking brake while rolling and in gear.....That locks up the tranny, takes a mechanic to reset.

 

Well except for the auto Prostar daycab I drive. It has the Eaton Ultra Shift Plus and it is really jerky when backing up.

 

You'll have two hours with an OSR who should be able to answer all your questions.