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Automatics are awesome man. In my opinion, the only thing a manual transmission does for a trucker is satisfy an image. It doesn't diminish a trucker. Automatics do the job just as well as a manual. A driver still has to understand how to drive that particular truck.

 

Not to derail the thread, or incite a debate, but I have to wonder about some of your comment.

Full disclaimer: I have never run an automatic..but I'd like to try one, and have advocated for one recently.

On the highways, and pretty much any hard surface, I can see the benefits of the automatic. Stevie Wonder could see it. So no argument on that.

But for some applications, like what I sometimes do, where you spend a bit of time off-roading, I'm not sure I would like an auto. I'm not talking about going in a gravel parking lot somewhere, I'm talking muddy mountain roads where you're pushing mud with the front axle type stuff. I know you can lock the auto in gear so it don't shift and all. But I can't see it working as well as a manual.

That said, everyone I've talked to loves their automatics. Even the ones that swore they'd never run one

 

If your knees go bad, you'll love them.

 

And if you're in Atlanta, Houston, or Dallas, you'll love them even more

 

This Forum thread may later prove useful for you, on this same subject:

LTL Linehaul Dock Work Companies

Also -- forgot to mention (an add to the above list) -------- > R&L Carriers

-- L

 

44 years and 3 million miles in nothing but a manual transmission and my knees are fine. Even without power steering, a/c and a bunk with all the gadgets I'm still doing ok at 77. I guess I'm lucky.

 

International set back axle cab over hurt me pretty bad.

 

That would do it. Mine was mostly Macks, B,F,R and U models very rough but always there to do the job. My later years were a Western Star c/o with KT 450, 13 spd. O/D and FL FLD 120. Both were sweet rides and powerful.

 

Half the docks I bump are slightly uphill. Trying to get the trailer flush without ramming with the eaton automated is a real challenge. A manual would be a whole lot easier.