Suicide knob?

Yes get the suicide knob,shifter extension and the fingerless gloves and be a real super trucker!

 

That's good. When I back and need to spin the wheel I put my palm on top of the wheel. No fingers or thumbs can get caught in the spokes. I have used this technique on a wide variety of wheels. So far in my career I have had the privilege to drive literally hundreds of trucks of a wide variety of makes and models. Palm the steering wheel and you will find no need to get a wrist breaker.

 

When Power Steering was first invited it was considered something that real men would never use. It was a flop and the automotive companies needed a way to get the product accepted. They coined the phrase suicide knob and began lobbying to have them outlawed. They were in many states. As time went on power steering lost its anti-manly image and the efforts to fight them fell away. No one needed them except farmers. They remained very common on tractors. Semi drivers with farming backgrounds also continued to use them. Then along came the idea that no one should be considered handicapped if there is a way for them to adapt to the job with the help of technology. The Suicide Knob was given a new lease on life. DOT requires that Suicide Knobs are legal in all states if they allow for easier operation of the truck due to someones reason for needing one. They do not state what reasons they should be. So if you feel it makes it easier, you are allowed to use one.

Today, many folks feel that driving an automatic is less then manly. I would bet that in 10 years, the vast majority of folks will drive automatics. Then we will get around to seeing that driving over the road is something the truck can do by itself and drivers will only pick up the truck in the Cities. I do not foresee driverless trucks in downtown Chicago in my lifetime but I can envision trucks self driving I 70 between Topeka and Denver soon. San Antonio to El Paso as well as other routes.

 

I have never heard of using the thumb to turn the steering wheel. I have used my index finger along with all 4 fingers to turn the wheel, to the left with my right hand. Or turn to the right with my left hand and 4 fingers.

I would not have enough strength in my thumb to turn the wheel.