No more manuals?

Ironically I was just taking one of our fleet Mechanics yesterday about how we only have one older truck with a Eaton Manual transmission (13 speed) and the rest of trucks are Vovlo I-shift Automatic. We discussed how this is how industry is going because they're having difficulties replacing retirees & most newbies haven't manual training if any at all. 90% of larger fleets find it easier financially for their books for less transmission replacements because new truck drivers can't shift properly, burn out clutches etc. But as I've always mentioned the new generation of truckers should Master a Manual transmission because with various heavy hauling its a necessity for 18 speed (split) shifting throughout mountain areas and 8% or 9% graded hills where in my Professional opinion a Automatic doesn't cut it as well. Most Experienced truckers know that you're more aware & in control when you're driving a Manual Truck. Now a days it's become a Free for all with any "Yahoo' obtaining a Cdl thinking they're a Truckers (YouTube has daily Vloggers postings stuff including some younger ones..that's not Trucking). Four way independence for coordination as a Trucker is a necessity which is not the same as 2 as most four wheeler drivers do on the roads. A Trucker is suppose to be the elite professional driver on the highway & roads beyond the skills as a four wheel driver!!

 

I think everyone should learn with a manual,even 4 wheelers. I learned with an old 10 speed on back roads (hated the truck) was shown how to double clutch, and then told the next time I see you touch that you better be putting this ##### in motion, hardly ever used it. In fact when my wife and got together it took her a little bit to notice I didn't clutch in my pick up or her car.

 

In the fleet trucks, you know the ugly aero things who's only redeeming quality is any idiot can get in and drive it, yes manuals will be special order only.

 

I think it will depend on how many in the industry have an auto only license in 5 years. Most new guys coming into the industry seem to only be automatic only class A

 

I don't believe the factory just builds whatever and tells the dealers to take it. From my understanding, dealers get build slots where they order X amount of trucks. Either stock trucks or special order for a customer.

A dealer is going to order stock trucks according to what is most popular. If they sell more vocational/heavy spec stuff than fleet spec, they're going to order stock trucks with the specs most companies are ordering.

When I lived out west, the number of heavy spec and vocational stock order trucks on the dealer lots outnumbered the fleet spec stuff easily 15 to 1.

 

I started driving smooth bore tankers and went from an automatic to a 10 speed and #### life was good.... Until they took it away from me.

 

Idk bout that. I just priced a truck with an 18sp. Had a $1500 discount on build sheet compared to auto price.

 

Just think...one day, this will be a common occurrence for trucks.

 

I've driven both, both for hundreds of thousands of miles as well. While I prefer to operate a manual, I was OK with the auto-shift as well. Once you learn the limitations of the auto-shifts you can get the average OTR job done. If I can drive an auto-shift to make my pickups and deliveries on time so can any of you that are doing generic OTR driving. THREAD HIJACK warning! I find these discussions funny and enjoy reading them just like the CB radio ones!