Automatic Transmissions

Someday, over my dead body, things will change but we hope not.

 

Not 100% true, in fact, the biggest of heavy haul trucks tend to be running automatics. Part of this comes from the need to run push-pull operations, having the automatic assures that the trucks are in the same gear. Some of it also may come from the fact that when you're grossing a half-million pounds focusing on shifting is the last thing you want to be concerned with.

But, as far as "common heavy haul" if we may call it that, as well as a lot of oilfield, yes, manuals will stick around in that application at minimum. I'd take my 18-speed over an Allison (let alone an "Ultra-shift" or anyone of the other ####### automatics) any day.

 

I certainly think you will see the proportion change, but, I also think the O/Os will likely stick with manuals longer than the big fleets will. Not to mention that there are plenty of problems to be found in automatics. Every automatic transmission I've ever worked around (Allison's) are some rough-shifting ########. I do agree that the ratio will change, but, there are certain areas I think that will be stubborn to change and stick with the manuals longer.

 

Ok my 2 cents (aint worth even half that) if you cant function anough for a manual then you have no business driving. i am a recent grad of a cdl mill, however ive drove heqvy equipment for years. i like control, i like knowing, there for i want nothing to do with an auto. while in school we actually had a guy who after 3 weeks could not straight line back, take off, or safely park the truck. after 6 weeks somehow he graduated, he turned down every prehire cuz they didnt have automatics. hes now workin for hogan. in my opionion he has no business behind the wheel i refused to ride with him or spot him on the yard. he actually took his cdl test in an automatic. come on seriously

 

I'll stick with my twin stick 5x4

 

You can skip gears in an automatic, put it on M mode And when u reach 15rpm tap button twice fast

I have a d13 2008 780 it is an absolute beast IMO

 

My eaton 10 auto shift skips gears automatically. Mine is always going from 2 to 4 to 6 then 7 8 9 and then 10.

 

Autos may become more popular over the years with all the lazy kids out lf truck driving school but ill give up my rtlo20918B when they pry it from my cold dead arms. Love that tranny. Shifts great and at least if im a gear tl high coming down a 7 i can leave it in gear put an overspeed in the motor rather than have it kick up, lose all my engine braking and in turn risk losing control. And mines like an auto with the jake on coming down at about 1100 i drop a full gear to keep my brake hp up. Yea it wastes fuel but its safer. And no automatica will never be safer than manuals. Sadly all the idiots in my one say of truck driving school swore they were. And they all wanted one. Wouldve loved to see them test on one and get a restriction lmao

 

if any of you were old enough you would have heard the same petty arguements that power steering left you with no control over a truck too
just admit your fossils that dont like change
many applications are not well suited to autos though that much is true

 

I always see this argument in these threads but it cant be compared with power steering. Regardless of the fears people may have had of power steering it still remains a mechanical system 100% controlled by user input. Automatic transmissions aren't controlled by the driver but by a computer, big difference there.

Now if you were to say that my truck would have a steering system where the steering wheel and rack and pinion weren't mechanically connected I'd want nothing to do with it. Having a computer between my input and the trucks reaction isn't something I want with regards to brakes and steering. I've used that type of system on heavy and agricultural equipment and it works great in that application ... but I wouldn't want it in a truck on the road.