i want to become a truck driver but not if it's manual

Manual all the way. Auto screws trucker's money with repair cost.

 

Wow really had a blast trying to slide my 5th wheel. I sure do miss a clutch. Maybe the newer model should have a clutch pedal installed just for those backing, sliding tandems, and moving the 5th wheel.

 

That's the whole problem about auto.

 

You tripped and hit your head?

 

Auto shift and e-logs seem to have a lot in common. I've never used either but have talked to a number of guys who have. They almost all say the same thing about both. They were against them until they tried them and now they love them.

I would imagine that anyone who has only driven auto, like anyone who has never filled out logs, would really be hurtin' if they suddenly had to.

Learn how to do it and then find a company that will give you an auto if you like.

 

Last summer I was one of TAs in I-80 of IL. The new trailer I was assigned to pull had a busted mudflap. While I was waiting for mechanics to find parts, other trucker came by and saying he can't adjust the slide tandem on the oldest trailer the company has. The driver said that his truck had I-shift in his blue Volvo. He tried to slide the tandem, won't help. Chocks were the solution.

 

Yes maybe the automatic may save a couple bucks to a company who hires a lot of rookies, but goodness gracious. The heartache automatic's put on people who do every day task like back up, and slide tandems. I was lucky with the 5th wheel I hit all the way forward the first time. 2nd time all the way back. The third time I got it right in the middle, and it just happen to be where I needed it. Still have to wait until my next load to see if that is a good position.but I think it is. I also got lucky with not having a heavy load so put it in the California hole and didn't have to deal with it no more. I know my next load is going to be pretty heavy so hope it doesn't give me a hard time. Anybody who has an automatic that have tips on sliding tandems or backing up to a dock without pushing it back 5 feet let me know. Well going to try to read this manual on this transmission. I know on the video they made me watch they had 3 different reverse features, so maybe I'm not putting it in the right one. Time to study. G nite folks.

 

Back in the day,ice cream trucks had sticks too.

 

I drive a straight truck and my boss just bought me a truck with an auto and I hate it. I can't get used to the fact that there is no engine compression to slow me down, I have to rely on the retarder and brakes much more than I want to.

 

Spoken as a true FNG