[ramrod]

Would appreciate any help adding to this list of autoshift companies:

US Xpress
P.A.M. and subs
Maverick
Trans Am
Interstate
PTL

Others please......

[Malaki86]

If you're a new driver, it's probably best that you drive for a company that runs manuals, at least for awhile. You never know when you're going to hate working for a company that runs auto's only and want to leave for another job.

Also, driving a manual teaches you the proper techniques for crossing the mountains - selecting the proper gear, mainly.

[ramrod]

Originally Posted by Malaki86

If you're a new driver, it's probably best that you drive for a company that runs manuals, at least for awhile. You never know when you're going to hate working for a company that runs auto's only and want to leave for another job.

Also, driving a manual teaches you the proper techniques for crossing the mountains - selecting the proper gear, mainly.

Yes, that is likely true. The reason for choosing auto is I have gout, always in my left foot, 3-4 times a year for 7-10 days each time. It shows itself without notice.

Clutching would be near impossible during those times. Would hate to be under a load, wake up one morning and not be able to drive...

[Ridge Runner]

Originally Posted by ramrod

Yes, that is likely true. The reason for choosing auto is I have gout, always in my left foot, 3-4 times a year for 7-10 days each time. It shows itself without notice.

Clutching would be near impossible during those times. Would hate to be under a load, wake up one morning and not be able to drive...

I also suffer(ed) from gout. Are you on a preventive? It is VERY easy to comtrol. ( And cheap too ) . It is caused from high uric acid levels. I use to suffer from flair-ups a few times a year like you do. After getting on meds. ( $7.00/month ) with NO side-effects. I have not had a flair-up in over 11 years. Also do you know and understand what can trigger a flair-up? Knowing this also helped me avoid the attacks.

Ridge

[ramrod]

Originally Posted by Ridge Runner

I also suffer(ed) from gout. Are you on a preventive? It is VERY easy to comtrol. ( And cheap too ) . It is caused from high uric acid levels. I use to suffer from flair-ups a few times a year like you do. After getting on meds. ( $7.00/month ) with NO side-effects. I have not had a flair-up in over 11 years. Also do you know and understand what can trigger a flair-up? Knowing this also helped me avoid the attacks.

Ridge

Which med do you take? Haven't tried one to prevent.

Yes, I know what triggers an attack. All of my favorite foods and beverages.
Would likely not have many of those if on the road, plus I would be drinking more water too.......

[headborg]

Originally Posted by ramrod

Yes, that is likely true. The reason for choosing auto is I have gout, always in my left foot, 3-4 times a year for 7-10 days each time. It shows itself without notice.

Clutching would be near impossible during those times. Would hate to be under a load, wake up one morning and not be able to drive...

but, you only use the clutch when coming to a complete stop anyway right?
otherwise, all you need to do is float all the gears and skip many of the others.... and if you're driving a super 10 or 13 or 18 speed-- you need the clutch even less.

[ramrod]

Originally Posted by headborg

but, you only use the clutch when coming to a complete stop anyway right?
otherwise, all you need to do is float all the gears and skip many of the others.... and if you're driving a super 10 or 13 or 18 speed-- you need the clutch even less.

Have heard of floating. Have not driven a big rig yet, so I'm not quite sure how that works.

Been giving lots of thought the past couple of months of trying trucking.
Been in construction for 25 years. Gets worse every year lately. Time for a change and trucking seems to be the only career one can into at my age (55)......

[GMAN]

Floating the gears means that you shift by matching the rpms rather than using the clutch. When done properly, you should not scrape the gears.

[Malaki86]

Also, not all auto's are clutchless. So, you may end up with a truck that is an auto, but you still have to use a clutch pedal.

[GMAN]

I spoke with a driver from Big G Express in Shelbyville, TN the other day. They now have fully automatic Volvo's. It is a good company with about 300 trucks. I believe that they require 1 year experience, but if you are interested you can always call them.