Companies running automatic transmissions?

I believe Redd is starting to believe his' own tag. Legend? I have been a driving for 32 years running AK, Yukon, BC, WA year round and yes on flatter grades, I would happy to trade my 18 road ranger for an auto. Maybe Im getting old and arthitis is catching up but this is the newbie forum.

 

A REAL auto would be fine, i.e. Allison. It's those junk "auto shift" transmissions I see with all the problems. IMO it's not an automatic unless it has a torque converter. I'm always seeing the guys with the autoshifts always slamming into docks/trailers. Nothing like being in the dead of winter in a heated building the guys with the autoshifts start their trucks, raise the doors and sit there jumping in and out of reverse/drive trying to get their trucks to finally move. All different brands of trucks, different carriers all the same junk.

 

HUH? I'm still trying to find all these autoshift trucks slamming into docks, I've talked to all 10 of my co-workers who drive autoshifts and none of them have a problem bumping a dock. Whenever I've "slammed" into a dock it's because I wasn't paying attention to what was happening and let my mind wander. I bumped 17 docks this last friday with my autoshift and never slammed into a single one. As for your second part, say what? In 10 yrs of driving autoshifts, I've never had them give me a single problem in the dead of winter on the coldest of nights, actually, the only problem I have is my air-assist clutch that hates to work in the cold, the trans works just fine.

 

i think some of the times people "slam docks" is because of inattention as you say......but also, sometimes slamming a dock, is when you've been pulling a 48 foot trailer for a while, then you get a 53 footer.....then BAM....OMFG.....!!! someone forgot he had a longer trailer...>!!!!!

 

I think these examples are 90% of the time

 

Other than possibly achieving the fuel bonus, I would love some relief for my right shoulder and left leg..

 

The auto shift is a tool for fleet owners to even up fuel mileage across the board. Lots of drivers overwind going through the gears defeating the purpose of todays low RPM torque achieving engines..thus not maximizing fuel economy. Since the fleet owners cannot ride with every driver telling him/her when to shift they did the next best thing....Smart Shift. I drove one a little over two years and personally prefer a clutch and stick.

 

Isn't that what the friendly neighborhood lot lizards are for?

 

Good one wulfy only he said relief from his right shoulder and leg.....not right shoulder and middle leg. LOL

 

The older ones without a clutch are probably what you are thinking of hitting the docks and slamming the trailers. When you let off the fuel it goes to nuetral and they are tough to master until you drive them for a while and even then when you are not paying attention the old habits kick in and ....... bam