Why Not Automatic?!

less control over transmission.

 

Not a true statement as far as newer more modern transmissions are concerned

 

Because if we all go to automatics, what is to stop them from putting monkeys in our trucks? And. That is how some drivers get most of their exercise. Just saying.

 

James, unfortunately we already have monkeys in trucks, that's why there is a proliferation of auto boxes here in Europe and soon I suspect the US will follow. As for exercise ; you can't beat finishing your day fresh and wanting to get a workout!

Just for the record my truck is manual ( albeit a syncro ) but the new autos are so good I wouldn't mind having one, I used own a few and had no problems with them what so ever and the drivers loved them and more importantly no matter the driver they always returned the same mpg's, that's why big fleets would opt for them.

 

And yet I've managed to drive a 3 pedal autoshift (Eaton) a combined 1.3 million miles hauling containers in rain, snow sleet, hail, ice, wind, etc., up mountains, down mountains, in city traffic without an issue. First truck went 978K miles when we traded it in, clutch was replaced at 670K, X/Y motors were replaced several times, usually about 10 to 30 minutes of down time. Current truck has 338K, X/Y motors were replaced at 290K, should be good for another 300K. Think it took them an hr to replace these. At present, our fleet of 13 trucks, 12 are autoshifts, all are driven in the conditions I listed on a daily basis.

AS for getting better with time, the Eaton autoshifts are currently on their 10th generation, I suppose they could make them better by taking the human factor out so the transmission doesn't have to fight stupidity.

 

What rpm range does a automatic with a isx15 550 try to stay in. I have never drive a truck with a automatic. I move drilling rigs and we spend a lot of our time offroad going up and down some pretty steep hills and that is where I have heard that some problems come up. The tranny shifting too hard and guys losing traction even with 2 sets of chains on.

 

If the tranny is shifting too hard, then you're too hard on the fuel pedal. Ease off abit, and it will shift smoother. I can't speak for the isx15 550, but my truck will typically stay in the 1500-1800 RPM range. My truck isn't a autoshift either. I forgot the model number also, but it's a fully integrated automatic with no clutch. Even with my transmission, you have an option to manually override it and select gears instead of the computer selecting for you.

 

How many gears does your tansmission have? And that thing you said "ease off a bit" that is funny.

 

My truck has a whopping 5 gears. 6 if you count reverse. Gear selection is push button. Similar to what you see in city buses. And FYI, my truck is a '02 Mack.

 

When I drove 6 days a week in rural areas I loved the twin stick mack. I only needed to use the clutch in reverse.

But now that I only drive 1or 2 days a week in heavy traffic, with a bad knee, I have learned to enjoy the Allison.