Why Not Automatic?!

Makes no difference, it's still a normal gearbox only electric changer instead of a gear lever, decent ones like I shift can now change faster than a human and never miss a gear so if anything it gives you better control ! The 'lack' of control issue is a myth, in Europe you can buy 700hp + trucks from the factory, these are only sold with auto transmissions to eliminate tranny abuse and are used frequently in trucks pulling 400,000lbs + loads, I myself have driven auto boxes pulling 330,000lbs and they performed flawlessly.

 

Believe me, my husband was driving a shift when he started trucking. He didn't ask for an automatic but glad he got one from the company he's with now. He can drive either. He just prefers the auto better due to a knee injury from a car accident last year.

 

the only control issues i see with the automatic is that driver error is controlled when it comes down to driveline abuse and engine over revs that problem for the most part has been taken out of the drivers control

 

Same here. Drove autoshifts with and without clutch pedal over 5 years. Rocked myself out many times. You get used to backing just like you get used to a manual.

 

backing up with the ultra shift can really test your religion, as the clutch dont engage untill 900rpm it can make the best driver look like a rookie. especialy when backing up the slightest grade

the ishift engages as soon as you take your foot off the brake, also they come with a hill asist brake that keeps the brake on for a short while untill you press on the throttle. this will keep you from rolling backwards ,whith the ultra you have to keep one foot on the brake untill you can get it rolling forward

sometimes the hill assist can be a pain . like when the roads are slippery or when it engages and you didnt need it, but their is a switch that temporarly turns it off

 

I like putting my truck in a gear and knowing it'll stay there unless something mechanically breaks. Especially on mountain passes. I've seen electronics/computers do dumb stuff before and will bet money that they'll keep doing it on occasion.

 

Truer words were never spoken. One time I was trying to get into a tight spot late at night at the Roanoke TA, and since you have to give it throttle to move, you then need to give it brake to keep the speed down to a crawl. Basically a tight backing maneuver is throttle-brake-throtte-brake-etc...

That night, I ran the truck out of air and had to wait a few minutes before moving again. Like you said, the Ultrashift can make you look like a stone cold rookie.