Future thrends = Automatics?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by DoctorDemento, Feb 12, 2009.

  1. harvest hauler

    harvest hauler Bobtail Member

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    Autos are not good for loading Suflowers in the snow and the cold. The Co-op we contract through has different companies to haul Flowers out and the always have automatics. We load two of are own Trucks and use a 13" feterl Auger to load them. Your always signaling them to move and there always fighting the transmission to get it to move. We give them plenty of warning but by the time they get moving they'er running over
     
  2. Powell-Peralta

    Powell-Peralta Road Train Member

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    i'd like to withold my direct comments regarding "automatics" for just a little while so as not to "corrupt"/"spoil" DD's path as he (she?) gets into trucking.

    DD, i know you are mental and that's cool.

    However, can you tell us a little more on your background----specifically mechanical background. I.e., what kind of car do you drive---manual or automatic. If auto, have you ever driven a stick?

    What is your honest assement of you mechanical apptitude/ability? None? Average? Good?
     
  3. CURTWAYNE

    CURTWAYNE Medium Load Member

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    Geez, I really don't know why some people get so wound up over a type of transmission.
    In order for me to pass my road test, to get my CDL, I had to double-clutch. We learned on stick shift trucks.
    Went with a company trainer, he had an auto shift. When he dropped me off at the company headquarters, I had to do a road test in a stick shift truck, double-clutching.
    Only to be put in a 3 pedal auto shift truck. Spent two years otr in an auto shift.
    Went with a local position driving a 10 speed.
    Unless I buy my own truck, I shall drive the truck that the boss man tells me to drive. It doesn't matter what kind of engine or transmission is in it, I'll drive it because he has told me to.
    I once met a man who was looking for a truck driving job. I tried to tell him of the companies I knew that needed drivers. He refused to call any of them, because they did not have Peterbuilt trucks. He would only drive Pete's. He had been out of a job for quite a while, and was deperate for a job. I don't know if he ever got a job.
    It's not about the make of the truck, or the trailer. It's not about the engine, or the transmission.
    It's about doing what is expected of you. Making the delivery, on time, and doing it safely.
     
  4. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Technology embrace it or get ran over. Personally I prefer a 13 roadranger, But its like all the other changes over the years. As the auto improve they will surely push the manual trans out. Truck brakes and engine brakes are programmable thru the truck electronics now. Change is coming, learn the new ways or become part of history. Being a premadonna about improvement just holds you back it does not slow down progress.
     
  5. FriedTater

    FriedTater Keeper of The Snakes

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    Auxiliary gear box's have long since passed,15 and 18's are much more proficient.I still see some of the Brownie rigs at truck shows,but seldom one in the "working class".

     
  6. dino6960

    dino6960 YOUDAMAN

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    im laughing so hard,some of these new drivers would be lost if they had to drive a 5 and 4 lol i remember the days of holding the wheel with the inside of my elbo and shifting 2 sticks at the same time to get to the higher gears,technolagie great saves on the physical wear and mental as your going down the road ,,,,god forbid they hit the mountains lmao but it all a learning cure just depends on what era one has grown up in
     
  7. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    Doesn't sound very desperate too me...:biggrin_2554:
     
  8. Troy

    Troy Bobtail Member

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    Most trucks I drive are 5 and 4s but one K-Whopper was an 18 with a brownie. Most miles I get are mountain on dirt roads so it just works well. That, and grew up going on the truck with my dad (he was a driver for 40+ years), and so I guess there's just something nostalgic that I don't want to let go of when it comes to brownies. I reckon if it payed the bills I'd drive an auto. There's just something about what trucking used to be though that gets in the blood.

    Wooden ships to nuclear subs, can't stop the tide.
     
  9. CURTWAYNE

    CURTWAYNE Medium Load Member

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    Yes, he had put up notices in truck stops, and all that. I couldn't believe it. Never saw him again. And, to be specific, he would only drive a specific model. Think it was a 379 extended hood, or something like that.