Personal opinion if you can't ride I mean drive stick your not a real trucker

The older trucks I’ve owned put less money in my pocket when it was all said and done. I’m fully aware of how comfortable it was hauling cattle 6-7k miles a week in an 03 FLD and a 95 W900.

 

Not a big deal if you know how to do it. Actually I was in all of them the past month. And that Friday 6pm drive in I 635 Dallas construction zone during rain was a piece if art.

 

Well, honestly, I'm pretty sure I know how to do it. Furthermore, I am sure that it's nice not shifting gears every couple of minutes for hours at a time.
But, you da man and you got it figured out; bless your heart.

 

Well, I'm not proud of it, just have to do it.

 

A little variance here but worth comment. I don't think there is a lot of distinction in autos and sticks as to being a "driver". Both have features that are near and dear to some drivers. And definitely in LTL, OTR/Line haul, and Heavy Haul/Specialized. My only point is I always thought anyone should should be able to manage a stick.
Some day, somewhere, a situation may arise where the only conveyance available is stick and someone needs to be at the hospital already. If you learned 3 on the tree or 4 in the floor, you can move anything available that will crank and run. Old Jeep, farm tractor, hay truck, even a forklift to shift a crash..
The ability or knowledge, not a great or lesser talent. Sorry for the diversion...

 

You're correct, but our government doesn't like it.

 

For the first time in my life I'm driving an auto on a regular basis.

I didn't like it when I did a trip 10 years ago. I still think they're a pos.

Compound that with a gutless motor mx13.

Fuel economy. This thing is a 5.1 mpg. The worst I've ever gotten. The first auto I drove 10 years ago. Also couldn't compete.

I already can't wait to get back to stick.

Only good thing about this truck. 3 locker switches. Be cool to see how it does in snow but I don't plan on sticking around.

 

Spent a little time with both. Manual definitely takes more focus, skill and forethought to drive. An auto truck is literally like driving a car but with a long trailer behind you.

My only real gripe was low speed control sucks absolute ### with an auto. Try hitching to a trailer in an icy lot on a slight uphill. If it didn't have full lockers I probably would have to throw iron.

 

I don't know why they can't make them function like cars.

I mean. Taking 10 seconds to decide to go and make it through the green light is ridiculous

 

If a company offered me a manual transmission, you know, (the ones that have a stick shift) then that would be my first choice. But companies are mostly going to automatics now because this new generation cannot be taught, untrainable that is.